From Himalayas to Ararat: Nepalese came to Noah’s land to realize his

[MosJan]

 

From Himalayas to Ararat: Nepalese came to Noah’s land to realize his Armenian dream

By Sara Khojoyan

ArmeniaNow reporter

Published: 16 May, 2008

 

 

 

Four years ago Nepalese Bir Tamang set for the first time foot on Armenian soil at Yerevan’s Zvartnots airport.

 

What he had was $200 in his pocket and a strong hope to arrange work in Yerevan as he was promised. However the money was spent on the first day and the promise turned to be fake and Bir Tamang who did not know a single word in Armenian nor had an idea how to survive in the strange country has continued his “Armenian dream”.

 

Now Tamang, a student of the Yerevan’s Medical University while recalling his first ever day in Armenia says despite unsuccessful beginning of his journey Armenia turned to be favorable to him.

 

In broken Armenian that he picked up in four years of his stay here, Tamang, 31, tells how he spend his first day in Armenia.

 

Tamang was working at New Delhi Airport as a barman for seven years before he met an Indian who said he had a business in Armenia. The Indian asked $2,000 from him promising Tamang that he could study and work in Armenia. They arranged Tamang’s visit to Armenia where upon arrival he should have been met and taken to the hotel or restaurant where he was supposed to work.

 

http://armenianow.com/images/uploadedimages/ai304001.jpgFour years in Armenia haven’t been simple for Tamang“I had waited for more than three hours for a worker of a restaurant owner who had taken $2,000 from me but he never came. I took a taxi, came to the square as I had the address of that restaurant written on a piece of paper. I came and saw the restaurant was closed; a bistro was opened in that place. The taxi-driver did not speak English, I did not speak Armenian, and I had a long ride on a taxi around Yerevan, then the driver brought me to the square again.”

 

He did not lose himself on Republic Square. He met a girl who spoke English and asked her to help him and show him directions to 23 Komitas Avenue, where he was told was an Indian restaurant. The girl gave him 200 dram and he got a minibus to the Indian restaurant, where he was offered a job.

 

“I worked for nine months there. They paid the fee for an apartment that I rented and gave meals. Eventually the restaurant was closed and I found myself jobless again.”

 

Tamang found a place to stay in the Zeytun hostel. A friend from Great Britain loaned him money and Tamang rented a premise and organized there a small canteen for the Indian students, which operated for 3 years.

 

During these four years Tamang managed to do not only business in Armenia. First, along with Nepalese citizenship he decided to acquire Armenian citizenship, he even has a social card now.

 

He entered the Hay Busak University, then moved from there to the Yerevan State Medical University and will become a doctor in two years’ time.

 

And most importantly, Bir has found his soul mate, his wife to be, in Armenia.

 

He met 19-year-old Manik three years ago when he was new to Armenia. Her mother worked as a dishwasher at Bir’s canteen in Zeytun. On many occasions he helped his future wife’s family and closeness with that family grew into love for her.

 

“I have decided that we should be together, and she agreed, I love her, and she loves me,” he explains his and his fiancée’s relations in plain terms, adding that they will marry in September.

 

During the last one month Bir has worked at one of the cafes at Khanjyan Street. He does not complain, saying he was getting tips every day that may be from 1,000 to 10,000 drams ($3 to $30) depending on the day’s business.

 

He wants to save up money to open a business of his own after he gets married and work there together with his wife until he graduates from the university and becomes a medical doctor.