Yerevan: activity highlights

The days are passing quickly: we are visiting various sights in and around Yerevan, spending time with my old friends here (from when I regularly came here mid nineties) and getting organised for the next part of the trip. It has also been quite hot and humid (we're talking of nearly 30 degrees on some days) so energy levels have been low, almost as low as the internet speed, which is why we haven't been writing much on the blog so far...

Some of the highlights of our activities since we arrived a week ago:

- a visit to the center of the Armenian church in Echmiadzin, with four churches visited and three weddings seen (one included an American style white limousine!)

- a hike through a deep gorge between two monasteries (Sagosavank and Ohanavan) 20km outside of Yerevan with my dear friend Arpine, Hrach and Christian. We even ventured across a raging river to see a "cave church" which turned out to be more sth like a barn for sheep cut into the mountain

- obtaining the visa for the "Republic of Mountainous Karabagh" at the Representation of the same "country". Everything like it used to be in the USSR, but with a smile and amazing efficiency. This visa was the reason for taking passport photos at the photographers...

- a visit to the Arabkir childrens hospital and the colleagues from the VAD project there. What huge progesses have been made in this project, which aims to give better conditions and schooling to children having to spend months or years in the hospital!

- a lunch of pork khorovats (grilled meat) with lavash, white cheese (a bit like feta) and fresh herbs, up at the park between the independence monument and the Mother of Armenia statue

Tomorrow an excursion/hike to the Greek temple in Garni and the cave monastery in Geghard is planned, and on Monday we want to take a long maxi-taxi ride to the Iranian border near Meghri. Then Karabagh! How the Internet connection will be there one can only guess...