Have you ever noticed how a space changes as the light goes? As the temperatures begin to drop and the mood settles going into the evening? During summer here, it was when the life really sprung up. People were everywhere. Now, as it gets darker earlier and gets a bit colder sooner, the change in the atmosphere is significant. You can see the fatigue more on people's faces. More people are wrapped up in layers with much of them hidden away. While it still isn't too cold here, the change in the past month has really been something. While it is harder to do photography in darker spaces, I don't think my energy is as affected by the lack of light. I find a comfort in it, the slower pace of living. Though people feel more rushed here suddenly, they're quicker to get off of the bus, quicker to walk through the streets and get home. Less sit around in the parks, less find interest in ultimately sitting in the dark somewhere. That I can understand.
I did a similar walk to what I did yesterday: I walked up near the huge market, and around it. I saw a huge sign that I want to photograph another time that was above an old factory reading something along the lines of "We give our all to the nation". A remnant of the former life that was once here in Armenia. Sometimes you stumble across such things. At the very entrance of this large building was a sign that also stated its original purpose: a fabrics making factory. The doors still original from the 70s. Much of it locked up and empty though, only the inner sides of the factory remain in use. I walked through it yesterday out of curiosity, wanting to go inside but not having that confidence. I did, however, notice the ventilation of shafts of a nuclear bunker lurking within the car park. Oh yes, my interest has piqued. But I don't quite feel like getting into trouble at the moment.
I do feel the sense of exploration returning though. As per yesterday's post which was more focused on that feeling of exploration again. I have that curiosity I had before that was lost during summer with that intensity of the heat. I think part of it is also being in a new area, where things feel different, much older. The style of living here is so different to the other areas of Yerevan I've been in. It's more residential, more generational. So many kinds of different faces pass by in the courtyards and main streets. Many of which are both younger and older. People seem to know each other more as well from living here for so long. Another aspect of time that has shifted a bit in the newer buildings. I don't think I ever actually talked to a single person in my old (new) building.
Much like seasons changing, I guess a space changes with it. People seem different. Moods shift. Energy changes. Regardless how of, it's nice to be able to notice it all again. Not having this feeling of tunnel vision in any space I had previously. Instead, I feel immersed within the world around me yet again.
