Morning:
Am at the base camp working on the database and waiting for my meeting with the American Ambassador.
Afternoon: True to form, it started raining just as I arrived at Tsakahovit with the Ambassador (John Ordway). We sat in the van while I gave him a short orientation to the site and the project. The rain eased and we started up the hill proceeding from WT3 to NT3 to NT1 to C3. Throughout the tour, the Ambassador asked intelligent questions and seemed quite genuinely interested in the research. As we started heading towards C4, the deluge really began and we scrambled down the hill. Just as we reached the vans, the rain stopped so we broke out lunch and had an enjoyable conversation about archaeology, politics, etc. He suggested that we look to the Ismerelian foundation, AGBU/Manoogian, and other private sources for funds. I think he is right and that we need to emphasize a program of development that can run alongside the archaeology. Such a program would emphasize the role of cultural reosurces (and their scientific exploration) in providing a foundation for tourism and regional development.