Toward Detroit… well toward Dearborn and the Hyatt Regency… now called the Adoba Hotel. Things change. That is the nature of life.
There are some things about the AYF Olympics that do not change. What hasn’t changed is the excitement and anticipation we feel getting ready to head out and travel to the Olympics. Tebi Detroit. Detroit where roots run deep. I know this very well being deeply rooted there. It will be exciting to be in the D. It will be great to see old friends especially those who no longer live in Detroit and are making the trek back for the Olympics. It is always a wonderful reunion of family and friends.
I know as I write these words, AYFers of all ages are packing their bags or en route already. Some will arrive today, on Thursday, most will arrive on Friday. Those with family in Detroit may have spent the whole week there. In recent years, the schools have wreaked a bit of havoc on the Olympics. It used to be that every school and university had their first day of classes after Labor Day. Now it seems every school starts before Labor Day. Why? Clearly, Armenians were never consulted about this.
Who will be there? Who will not? I was looking forward to seeing my cousin David from New York. He had to cancel his trip at the last minute. Bummer. I heard that Olympic Queen Rosemary Panosian is making the trip. It will be great to see and perhaps interview her.
Have you seen the airfares lately? They are crazy high and it is no wonder I am hearing of more people driving to Olympics than ever before. Back in the day, that is what most everyone did. They drove to the Olympics. They drove—we drove—with cars full of people and luggage, amazed by how everything fit. We drove there full of anticipation and excitement. The car was full of laughter, talk, and music. It was the opposite on the way home, the car was dead-silent because everyone was sleeping, including the person that was supposed to stay awake with the driver so he or she didn’t fall asleep.
Everyone that is packing their bags right now is wondering what to wear and thus what to pack. What do I wear Saturday night, Sunday night, or to the Alumni Party? What is the perfect polo or t-shirt and ball cap to wear to the softball tournament, or the Sunday games? What should I wear to the swimming competition? Ah, swimming, it doesn’t matter. It is so hot and humid by the pool that everything—including hair for those of us that have enough to worry about—will be wilted. Some of us engage friends to help us decide what to wear. Young ladies shopping with their mothers for Olympic dresses is another root that runs very deep. The same goes for us fellows getting fashion “counseling” from our wives.
Here I am writing about packing bags instead of actually doing it. Got to go. Have to pack my bags, load the car, and drive to Detroit.
See you there!
Latest posts by Mark Gavoor (see all)
- Improvising at my first Tigran Hamasyan concert experience - April 3, 2024
- Hachig Kazarian’s new book a must-read for Western Armenian music lovers - March 6, 2024
- Chidem Inch: Watching “Armenia, My Home” - March 5, 2024
Be the first to comment