However, the unique characteristics of rural life helped me explore and experience a completely new lifestyle through learning and participating in the process of making a tonir from Armenian clay. Everyday, after waking up and having breakfast, we went to the master’s home so that he would teach us the basics of making the tonir, which started with separating soil. After that, we had to process the clay with our feet by pressing and then making layers, which we put at the bottom of the tonir. Usually making tonirs is a job for men as it requires a lot of physical strength. So for me as a girl it was even more challenging… but also exciting! At some point we might have even messed up or delayed the process due to our inexperience and lack of skills but, nevertheless, we proceeded with excitement and motivation. We not only learned a lot about village life, we also discovered new hobbies and interests for ourselves. Moreover, the fact that I was living in a new place that was out of my comfort zone gave me the opportunity to completely focus and devote myself to the work.” – Arpi