log 28, 29, 30 July 2012
Today is a catch-up day
for the blog.
The 28th was a
work day. Starting with the 1½ hour drive to the build site. We
continue plastering. We have completed two coats on most of the house
and have completed all 3 coats on some rooms. We had to leave this
afternoon with only a small portion on a couple of upper walls
without the first coat completed – most of us wanted to stay, but
we had a special dinner to ?Attend.
Malik, our driver,
construction supervisor and jack of all trades extraordinaire, had
invited us for dinner at the home of his father in a nearby local
village
First we visited the
village church then we went to Malik’s family home. His 74 year old
father greeted us warmly. Malik’s sister and son had been cooking
for two days. The table was set out under the fruit trees in the back
yard. A vegetable garden, wild flowers, a hammock and a cooling
summer breeze added to the delicious dinner. After dinner, Gary and
Malik played Tavloo (backgammon) while the rest wandered around and
visited. A special evening for all of us.
The 29th is
our first day of touring. We started at the Armenian Genocide
Memorial and Museum. The first time we went through it 4 years ago
you had the feeling of disbelief and shock at what you saw. This time
it was a feeling that it really had happened and why won’t it be
recognized as genocide the world in general. The accounts of the
events by those from other countries that witnessed it are there.
St Gregory the
Illuminator Cathedral, a recently built church and the largest in the
country is our next stop. A beautiful cathedral, overlooking an old
children playground and one of the poorer neighborhoods of Yerevan
Lunch at ArtHaus, a
bookstore and café combination. BLT’s on brown and white bread,
hamburgers that were a mout5hfull, tea and desserts for many – a
nice lunch.
KhorVirap is a Monastery
built on the site where St Gregory the Illuminator was imprisoned
underground for 13 years because of his Christian beliefs. You can
climb down a ladder to the very small room where is was imprisoned.
There is a beautiful view of Mt Ararat from here, just a few
kilometers across the Turkish border.
Wine tasting in Areni -
was our next adventure. We had a tour of the winery and tasted 10
different wines. We witnessed a woman putting the labels on the
bottles. She earns 10 drams/bottle to put on the laqbels – equal to
about 2 cents American. We bought wine here - mostly to take back
home. The wine to drink while we are here came from the roadside
venders and was bottled in a used 1 liter Coke bottle – for about
$5
Noravank Monastery dating
to the 9-10th century. Built on the side of a mountainous
region. It is incredible to even imagine how they got the building
materials here. The most unique feature is a narrow, steep pair of
outside staircases leading to the upper floor.
The night was a Bed and
Breakfast in Yeghegnadzor, a beautiful family home where we were
greeted warmly by Armani and her mother, Gohar. The garden was
exquisite and where they grow everything they need. We
enjoyed their home and hoff due to an afternoon storm. The storm did
not put a damper on our group despite no ospitality, the Dolma wass
very good. The meal was cooked and served despite no electricity
which was
30 July12
Rain bodes and the
likelihood for a hike in the mountains does not look promising – so
off we go in our trusty van for a day of excursion.
Tatav Monastery and
University - the most beautiful and stunning monastery yet. Build in
406. Beautiful sights from all the many buildings. The rain started,
boy did it rain, and rain. Our lunch was in a Pepsi tent – while it
continued to pour. Our biggest fear was going down the winding, dirt
mountain road, but trusty Malik got us down safely – as the rain
continued.
We proceeded to the Caves
an ancient site where the Armenians had lived and hid during war
times centuries ago. We were unable to cross the suspension bridge to
explore the caves because of the weather but the view across the
canyon was breathtaking.
Rain, rain, rain
continued. We returned home – a long 3 hour drive thru the
mountainous roads and arrived safely to LIGHT and electricity in our
B&B – for about 10 minutes – then lights out. Again a
beaufitul evening.
For many of us the best
part of the trip has been the beauty of the countryside, the
candlelit dinners, and being able to enjoy all of the sounds of the
countryside and the delight of an electronic, electric life.
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