Will it be wondrous or could I be disappointed?

A Weekend Special, or a Special Weekend?

Traveling here from Moldova was a little challenging, but I was delighted to make Armenia, finally. I have promised myself to come here. 

The weather was pleasant and the weekend was set fair.  My first impressions were great, a city easy on the eye, vibrant, glowing city that lured me in.  Good morning and welcome to Yerevan, it was almost as if the city was speaking to me. I took the 572 steps up the Yerevan Cascade Monument, there are elevators and escalators to help you to the top, but that would be cheating, right?

I had been a little unwell on leaving Chisinau and was hoping that would subside.  The warm glow of the day was like a heated blanket that offered a soothing hand.  I’d booked on to a free walking tour with Guru Guides.  Guru Walking Tours are commonplace in many cities.  Basically, the guides work on a tip-based system for offering their local knowledge and expertise in showing you around their city.  More often than not the guides are good.

A Walking Guru

In Yerevan, I’m pleased to report that we were fortunate to have one of the best.  loanna spoke with a kind tone and welcomed our travel group to be introduced to the wonders of Yerevan.  I’ve found it can be difficult for guides to hit the right level of information and details.  Armenia has a long rich history with so much history to cover.  I find sometimes guides can overload with history, not that I don’t want to learn it, but difficult to consume 2800 years of history in 3 hours!  loanna navigated this perfectly, I felt I learned plenty, and got an insight into Armenia, and Yerevan in particular. 

The hours flew by as we toured the packed streets of Yerevan   Sampling food, seeing sights, learning about genocide, conflicts, the people, and fun facts in between.  Perfect.  If you come here I’d highly recommend Guru Walking Tours with loanna & Tigran.

Time for a beer or two.

It got me to 9pm. In some places, after dark in the city is not a safe thing.  I was not surprised Yerevan was safe to be out walking at night, but even I was surprised to see the streets packed, everywhere.  Everyone was out enjoying a Saturday night.  Kids as young as 10 or 11 were out with family, grandparents too, and everything in between.  There is safe, and then there is Yerevan safe.  I stayed out until Midnight walking the streets, taking photos, and just passing the time.

Despite a lack of sleep, I loved my first day in Armenia.

Easy Like Sunday Morning

I rose early on Sunday to make the most of the day.  On Saturday I had covered the inner center of the city, so, for Sunday I had mapped out a walking route in the wider areas to find the points of interest that I still wished to visit.  It would max out my step count, but like always, it’s the wandering that I yearn for the most. 

I walked up hills, round corners, across main roads and back roads, through alleyways, neighborhoods, and dead ends all ways up, round, and around. Passing soccer games, police cars, buskers with guitars, Armenian dancers, a couple of romancers, seeing past Russian influences, so many Armenian flags, and a crazy amount more. By and through Parks, by Ararat Brandy, or is it Cognac, street art, mosaics, and more Armenian food dishes to try. A Sunny Sunday, Yerevan style. Easy.

First I’d headed in new avenues and directions toward Victory Park, and from there the views shone.  Mount Ararat is visible, so that means a sunny day.  Sunday was quite a bit warmer as the sun beamed high in the sky.  A gorgeous March day. Could I live here?

Next to the Armenian Genocide Museum, it’s a harrowing story of what happened in 1915, but part of the fabric of what and how Armenia is now.  Things like this, or wars or strives are what shape countries, what I find build character in a city, country, and the hopes and values of its people.  Armenia has so much character and a good friend.

In Armenia I have been using global roaming data, allowing me to venture and have a trusty GPS navigation on taking my steps.  You can also offline Google Maps, but I did not need that too.  Well, at least not until now.  My data ran out.  I had no data, no map, no physical paper map either, and where actually am I?
Should I be crossing this eight-lane wide road?

Could it be time to worry, as I was not familiar with where I was and was nowhere near the city center? But I know from experience, just walk and it will work itself out.  I walked & walked.  Seeing more, seeing Armenia, seeing life, and soaking it in. Republic Square will appear when it’s ready – I smiled my trusting wanderer smile.

On Sunday I walked a total of 49,152 steps, yes almost a marathon at 22 miles. The Yerevan streets were nice to me, and the sun was kind.  The time spent winding around and seeing more, got me to know my new friend, Yerevan. Walking in a city, is my most favorite thing, bar none.

I’d earned a wonderful dinner, so I headed to Tumanyan Khinkali as recommended by Guru Walking Tours.  A great restaurant, with nice staff and good food.  It was a great evening meal.  Later I tried Pomegranate natural juice from a street seller.  It was so pure and strong, it was like I was diving inside the fruit. Something new, something full, something sweet. This drink originates and is popular in Iran, Armenia, and Turkey.

A few souvenirs from Vernissage Market to remind me of here.  It’s flown by, it’s been great.  Thank you, Yerevan, and thank you Armenia.  Such a great place, I seem to have chosen it well.  Wonderful.

I could live here.