Visiting Boston after many years brought back memories and a new appreciation for a well-designed city. I had visited Boston three times, but I had not yet visited any museums. I went back after 30 years and stayed with my friend from July 10 to 16, 2025. It was the first part of my trip, followed by Maryland and Washington, D.C.
On Friday, my friend took me to the Armenian Cultural Foundation (ACF), the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR), and the Armenian Museum of America. Although I was aware of the centers and our plan, I was still excited to discover them.
The Armenian Cultural Foundation is situated in a three-story house with Greek columns, located next to a lake in Arlington. The first-floor living room was covered with huge Persian carpets. Around the room were numerous shelves filled with books, and above them were portraits of influential Armenian writers. I told my friend, "This is the perfect place for reading and writing. It's calming."
The director gave us a tour. There was one room dedicated to the Armenian novelist Hagop Karapents. I saw his desk and typewriter. I wished I could talk with him again. I met Karapents in 1978 in Washington, D.C., where we both lived at the time. He was working for the Voice of America. He invited me to see the radio station. After the visit, we went to lunch at the cafeteria reserved for employees. He gave me his Armenian novel, The Daughter of Cartago. I was not good at reading novels, but I was hooked on this book. It was a page-turner; I couldn't put it down. In 1985, I moved to Glendale, California, but we kept in touch by phone. During one of his visits to California, he came to my one-bedroom apartment and we had a thought-provoking discussion. In addition, I was part of a literary group called The Eighties, and during one of our gatherings, Karapents joined us. I captured several group and candid photos of him and the group. After his death, they used some of my photos to create a video. Also, I took his portrait near a mask. I had photographed several Armenian artists near masks or their work and had an exhibition in 1988. Karapent's portrait was part of my black-and-white photo show.
As we completed the tour of ACF, I signed and donated two self-published books: my poetry book, A Mosaic of Words, and Inner Heaven, a bilingual English and Farsi book that includes self-help articles written by my mother between 1987 and 1988.
We visited NAASR in Belmont and were welcomed by Ani Babaian, the library curator. After a thorough tour of the center, we went to the bookstore on the first floor. David Karamian's travel guide, Armenia - The Lone Stone, A Traveler's Guide, was on the shelf. I grabbed it and showed my photo in the last part, where David gave me credit as a travel consultant. We took a group photo holding the book. Ani kindly invited me to include my books in the library. I signed the books mentioned previously.
NAASR has a new building, specifically designed for multiple purposes, which offers concerts, lectures, and other cultural events. The high ceiling and glass-covered walls created a warm atmosphere.
National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR)
On Saturday, my friend took me to Boston. We walked around the historical buildings and the harbor. "The harbor reminds me of San Sebastian in Spain," I told my friend. I traveled in Spain in March and April. Making connections is an integral part of our lives; many places and events remind us of past experiences. Visiting different countries made me appreciate the architecture and museums in the U.S.
On Sunday, my friend's husband prepared an omelet with tomatoes and herbs from their garden. After having our fancy breakfast on their back porch facing the forest, they took me to the beaches near Boston. We visited Nahant, Marblehead, and Red Rock Park.
In the evenings, I spent time with my friend's daughter's family. The little girls were energetic and playful. On Saturday night, we were invited to my friend's sister's house, who is also a close friend of mine. I had not seen her for 40 years, yet she welcomed me with warmth and served a variety of Persian food. Another evening, long-time friends came over and we talked for hours.
On Monday, I had lunch with a friend I hadn't seen since 1997. Later, I had dinner with a teacher friend at a restaurant on the Charles River.
Around sunset, I walked along the river and took several photos with my iPhone 16. The clouds moved, and the lighting changed. The unexpected can be frightening or exciting. As I walked, I asked people about the bridge. The Longfellow Bridge is an arch bridge that spans the Charles River, connecting the city of Cambridge to Boston. Cars, trains, and pedestrians can cross it.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, I took the train to the center of Boston. Loved walking, discovering parks and building, and taking photos. I was fascinated by the architecture of the Boston Public Library, Harvard University, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The ladder has a building similar to those found in Venice, Italy, palaces.
I was not sure what to expect. It was a memorable trip, connecting with friends and rediscovering Boston, as well as the Armenian centers. It feels great to leave with a sense of satisfaction and gratitude.
https://armenianculturalfoundation.net/
https://www.armenianmuseum.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dLNTXxLL1o&t=2431s
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