But here is a very recently built cathedral whose name I can't remember.
This is a very odd building that is impossible to get a good picture of due to haphazardly strung power lines. It now holds an indoor bazaar.
Armenia - Day 3
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
I don't remember what I did on day 3.
But here is a very recently built cathedral whose name I can't remember.
This is a very odd building that is impossible to get a good picture of due to haphazardly strung power lines. It now holds an indoor bazaar.
But here is a very recently built cathedral whose name I can't remember.
This is a very odd building that is impossible to get a good picture of due to haphazardly strung power lines. It now holds an indoor bazaar.
Armenia - Day 2
Sunday, June 15, 2008
The second day here is one of the most awesome days I've ever had.
Due to jetlag I still way overslept (I woke up at 1 pm!), but I still had time to go out and about. I started out with one of the main things I wanted to accomplish this trip: A visit to the Aram Khachaturian museum. Aram Khachaturian was an Armenian composer who wrote some of my favorite music. Most of you are probably familiar with the Sabre Dance from movies such as The Hudsucker Proxy.
Unfortunately nobody seemed to know much about it. Luckily I had an address and a cab driver took me to an unusual building with a small sign on it advertising the museum.
The museum was kind of funny in the fact that they didn't seem to get too many visitors, much less visitors who didn't speak any Russian or Armenian. I was the only visitor there the entire time, and the two people working there seemed a bit surprised somebody showed up.
After paying my 500 AMD (about $1.66), they took me to the various rooms, having to unlock all the doors and turn on lights as I went. They couldn't explain very much because they knew very little English, but I pretty much saw what I wanted. They had a score for Khachaturian's 3rd Symphony locked up which I desperately wanted to look at, but it wasn't going to happen.
Attached to the building was Khachaturian's house he had in Yerevan (he later moved to Moscow). It was neat seeing the master's study and actual piano he composed on. I bought a few postcards and poster that I don't really need and was on my way.
Next stop on my itinerary was the Cascade, which is a serious of steps (500, I believe) built into the side of a mountain, with fountains and sculptures on multiple levels on the way up. There is also a series of escalators which you can take.
When I arrived there, I ran into two Iranians who were seeing the city too. I joined them and their tour guide for the rest of the day. I enjoyed talking with them, and they were quite excited to talk to me too, as they wanted a chance to practice their English. We talked about a variety of subjects. One thing I found interesting: Their president is very unpopular right now too. Also, a majority of the residents don't want this nuclear power plant built that Mr. A. is so keen on. So much money is being diverted to building the power plant that their other infrastructure is suffering.
This is the Fat Cat statue, created by a Colombian artist. This was the first piece of art of many to grace the Cascade
My new found friends (nor their guide) didn't particularly want to go to the top of the Cascade, so instead we headed back down the hill to the Opera House.
After this, the others wanted to head back to their hotel room for a bit, so I continued on my own. I wanted to go to the top of the Cascade, but first, a quick detour to Museum of Ancient Manuscripts, which unfortunately was closed by the time I got to it. I hear it's a must-see, so I'm going to try to squeeze it in tomorrow. The building is still neat to see from the outside though.
Also known as the Matenadaran
And now onto the Cascade! I believe I took eight escalators total, one right after another. The view was very impressive from the top, but I could actually still go higher! Near the top of this hill was a park with the Mother Armenia monument. So off I went...
This originally had a statue of Stalin, but was replaced within days of his downfall with Mother Armenia
And now, I was finally high enough to get the view I wanted! The mountain in the distance is Mount Ararat, with its second peak off to the left. If you look really closely you can see the remains of Noah's Ark.
At this point I was exhausted, so I started back toward my hotel room. As I approached Republic Square, I noticed I could hear music blasting. Apparently they put on a light and fountain show every night. While not as closely choreographed as, say the fountain show at Bellagio, this one seemed more "genuine" to the crowd. The crowd danced as various American and Russian hit songs played, along with a few classical favorites. The show went on for a full hour and ended with the Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia by Khachturian. When I heard the opening notes of it, a shiver immediately went down my spine and through my whole body - this is what it feels like to be Armenian!
After the show ended, I took the opportunity to nail a few night shots of these buildings.
And I'm spent! Stay tuned for more adventures in Yerevan!
Due to jetlag I still way overslept (I woke up at 1 pm!), but I still had time to go out and about. I started out with one of the main things I wanted to accomplish this trip: A visit to the Aram Khachaturian museum. Aram Khachaturian was an Armenian composer who wrote some of my favorite music. Most of you are probably familiar with the Sabre Dance from movies such as The Hudsucker Proxy.
Unfortunately nobody seemed to know much about it. Luckily I had an address and a cab driver took me to an unusual building with a small sign on it advertising the museum.
The museum was kind of funny in the fact that they didn't seem to get too many visitors, much less visitors who didn't speak any Russian or Armenian. I was the only visitor there the entire time, and the two people working there seemed a bit surprised somebody showed up.
After paying my 500 AMD (about $1.66), they took me to the various rooms, having to unlock all the doors and turn on lights as I went. They couldn't explain very much because they knew very little English, but I pretty much saw what I wanted. They had a score for Khachaturian's 3rd Symphony locked up which I desperately wanted to look at, but it wasn't going to happen.
Attached to the building was Khachaturian's house he had in Yerevan (he later moved to Moscow). It was neat seeing the master's study and actual piano he composed on. I bought a few postcards and poster that I don't really need and was on my way.
Next stop on my itinerary was the Cascade, which is a serious of steps (500, I believe) built into the side of a mountain, with fountains and sculptures on multiple levels on the way up. There is also a series of escalators which you can take.
When I arrived there, I ran into two Iranians who were seeing the city too. I joined them and their tour guide for the rest of the day. I enjoyed talking with them, and they were quite excited to talk to me too, as they wanted a chance to practice their English. We talked about a variety of subjects. One thing I found interesting: Their president is very unpopular right now too. Also, a majority of the residents don't want this nuclear power plant built that Mr. A. is so keen on. So much money is being diverted to building the power plant that their other infrastructure is suffering.
My new found friends (nor their guide) didn't particularly want to go to the top of the Cascade, so instead we headed back down the hill to the Opera House.
After this, the others wanted to head back to their hotel room for a bit, so I continued on my own. I wanted to go to the top of the Cascade, but first, a quick detour to Museum of Ancient Manuscripts, which unfortunately was closed by the time I got to it. I hear it's a must-see, so I'm going to try to squeeze it in tomorrow. The building is still neat to see from the outside though.
And now onto the Cascade! I believe I took eight escalators total, one right after another. The view was very impressive from the top, but I could actually still go higher! Near the top of this hill was a park with the Mother Armenia monument. So off I went...
And now, I was finally high enough to get the view I wanted! The mountain in the distance is Mount Ararat, with its second peak off to the left. If you look really closely you can see the remains of Noah's Ark.
At this point I was exhausted, so I started back toward my hotel room. As I approached Republic Square, I noticed I could hear music blasting. Apparently they put on a light and fountain show every night. While not as closely choreographed as, say the fountain show at Bellagio, this one seemed more "genuine" to the crowd. The crowd danced as various American and Russian hit songs played, along with a few classical favorites. The show went on for a full hour and ended with the Adagio of Spartacus and Phrygia by Khachturian. When I heard the opening notes of it, a shiver immediately went down my spine and through my whole body - this is what it feels like to be Armenian!
After the show ended, I took the opportunity to nail a few night shots of these buildings.
And I'm spent! Stay tuned for more adventures in Yerevan!
Armenia - Day 1
OK, so let's talk about Day 1 after the hotel.
The first day was not great - I was very jetlagged, and the weather was windy and stormy. I only wandered around for a few hours before I felt compelled to go back to the room to avoid getting rained on any more (not to mention caught up on some sleep).
I am two blocks from the main square in town - Republic Square. There are four buildings on this square. One was the premier Soviet hotel during the USSR days - it has now been converted to a Marriott. While they were rebuilding the hotel, they discovered a secret floor that the KGB used to spy on guests!
The other three buildings are government offices, banks, and the National Historical Museum/Gallery of Art Museum.
One of the buildings in the square.
The National History Museum. There is an underground bunker under the museum for officials in case of attack or emergency.
The third building, plus view of the huge roundabout in the middle of all this.
Cathedral of St. Gregory the Enlightener. Storm was moving in quickly here. I took better pictures today.
The first day was not great - I was very jetlagged, and the weather was windy and stormy. I only wandered around for a few hours before I felt compelled to go back to the room to avoid getting rained on any more (not to mention caught up on some sleep).
I am two blocks from the main square in town - Republic Square. There are four buildings on this square. One was the premier Soviet hotel during the USSR days - it has now been converted to a Marriott. While they were rebuilding the hotel, they discovered a secret floor that the KGB used to spy on guests!
The other three buildings are government offices, banks, and the National Historical Museum/Gallery of Art Museum.
Europe Adventures - Days 8-9
Saturday, June 14, 2008
In order to get to Armenia via Skyteam, I had to either fly from Paris or Prague. Since I've already been to France but haven't been to the Czech Republic yet, I chose Prague, despite the fact that their Armenia flight had a horrible departure time.
I didn't really read up much on Prague beforehand. I knew I wasn't going to have time to see everything, and I didn't want to rush myself, so I just read enough to get into town and wandered randomly. Prague is a very walkable city, so I did just that without even having a map on me.
I don't know what most of these buildings are, although I could probably figure it out pretty quickly if I felt like it. But I don't, so screw you guys. Wait, I know the Charles Bridge, I'll give you that one.
OK, I know this was the opera house
I ran into a plaze where they had a huge screen set up to broadcast the Euro Cup soccer football match. The first round pitted Sweden against Greece. There were a bunch of people from both countries in the crowd, and they all dressed in their country's colors and made a big scene. It was actually very fun and I watched the first half of one of the games.
The guy in the gray shirt was quite drunk and having a great time attempting to party with all the girls.
Unfortunately the next day was very overcast which did not lend itself to great picture taking.
I call this "Neopolitan Street", because of the row of buildings in chocolate, strawberry and vanilla. That may even be an orange creamsicle on the end there!
I didn't really read up much on Prague beforehand. I knew I wasn't going to have time to see everything, and I didn't want to rush myself, so I just read enough to get into town and wandered randomly. Prague is a very walkable city, so I did just that without even having a map on me.
I don't know what most of these buildings are, although I could probably figure it out pretty quickly if I felt like it. But I don't, so screw you guys. Wait, I know the Charles Bridge, I'll give you that one.
The guy in the gray shirt was quite drunk and having a great time attempting to party with all the girls.
Unfortunately the next day was very overcast which did not lend itself to great picture taking.
Quick Armenia update
Friday, June 13, 2008
I promise, more pictures coming, but first of all, this update:
My first day in Armenia was less than stellar, but my second day was more than amazing. This country is awesome.
I am definitely not going to have enough time to get up into Georgia, and I wish I could extend this current trip as is!
OK, more details later - I need some food pronto.
My first day in Armenia was less than stellar, but my second day was more than amazing. This country is awesome.
I am definitely not going to have enough time to get up into Georgia, and I wish I could extend this current trip as is!
OK, more details later - I need some food pronto.
Europe Adventures - Days 6-8
Thursday, June 12, 2008
From Malmo I traveled to Amsterdam. I bummed around the city for a few hours, then took a train to Rotterdam, where I met up with my friend Saskia. Saskia was a foreign exchange student back in my high school days, and we had some mutual friends. We recently came in contact with each other again, and since I was in the general area (read: the other side of the Atlantic), I thought I'd drop in for a few days.
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