Hints Archives ⋆ Page 103 of 260 ⋆ The Passenger

November 17, 2019February 13, 2020

Making new friends

The zoological garden if Երևան, Armenia, is a zoo in constant transformation and therefore interesting to visit. Ten years ago the conditions for the animals must have been rather bad but things changed for the better: the lions now have a shiny new area and the wolves and bears can roam around freely in large territories. On the other hand dogs (living on the streets here often) broke into the zoo and killed the kangaroos – which lead to the director quitting because he was unable to protect his animals.

November 17, 2019February 7, 2020

Ararat brandy

If there would be only one thing that Երևան, Armenia, is known for throughout the world then it would by brandy. The good conditions for growing wine in Armenia have been used for a very long time to produce brandy (in other parts of the world also called cognac). In 1887 a state-owned company was founded that is only allowed to buy grapes from Armenia – in 1998 it became part of the Pernod Ricard Group. Ararat brandy was very famous during Soviet times and is now available all over the world.

November 17, 2019February 10, 2020

Sergei Parajanov

Some years ago I decided that I don’t know enough about movies and watched all the classics that I thought one must have seen. Afterwards I believed that that I’m quite an expert. Oh boy was I wrong. Once again I was bound to the things typical for my cultural sphere and I didn’t recognize what was behind its borders. When I came to Երևան, Armenia, I visited the Sergei Parajanov Museum – more by accident than by intention and had to understand that I know nothing.

November 17, 2019February 13, 2020

Erebuni

The germ cell of the capital city of Armenia is located on a mountain called Arin-Berd south of the city. Erebuni is a fortress created in 782 BC which makes Երևան one of the oldest cities in the world. Next to the mountain, you can today find a museum with a very impressive exterior design referring to the time the castle was built. Within you can learn about the excavations made here, see a lot of items found at this place and get more information about ancient Երևան.

November 17, 2019November 21, 2019

Children‘s railway

The children’s railway is a hidden gem of Երևան, Armenia. It is a narrow-gauge railway for kids opened in 1937, and it was operated according to the standards of normal railways by the communist youth organization. You can find many of these children’s railways throughout the influence sphere of the former Soviet Union. The goal was to create interest in railway employee jobs early – and I guess I would have had fun with that, too.

November 17, 2019February 8, 2020

Zoravor

Sunday morning. A very old small church hidden in a backyard between high houses. Ancient stone, a cat roaming around. I’m sitting down in the first room normally for the non-baptised to not disturb the religious service. Listening to the chants of the worshippers in a non-understandable language. The smell and smoke of olibanum in the air. Every now and then somebody enters, prays, makes the sign of the cross, touches the walls of the church three times. Before he or she continues he ignites a small yellow candle and places it in a very old metal tray full of water. A mystical situation.

November 16, 2019April 15, 2022

Ararat

The Ararat is a mountain in Turkey, close to Armenia, Iran and the exclave Nakhchivan of Azerbaijan. It is 5137 meters high and better referred to as the Greater Ararat as it also has a neighbour: the 3896 meters high Little Ararat. The Armenians once settled around the Ararat and consider it their holy mountain. It is still today part of the coat of arms of Armenia which caused diplomatic problems with Turkey. The response of the Soviet government was convincing: Turkey also has the moon in its flag without the moon being part of Turkey.

November 16, 2019February 7, 2020

Areni winery

The Areni grape is used to make wine in Armenia and Turkey. It is said to be used already by Noah on mount Ararat very long ago and archaeologists believe that is in use for 6,000 years. On the international wine market, it is mostly unknown but some times wines based on the Areni grape get high ratings. Armenian wine has a special taste rather uncommon for western Europeans but it is quite delicious. A place where this grape is used very often is a town with the same name: Արենի.

November 16, 2019February 7, 2020

Lchak

If you ever get into the situation to travel through Armenia and need a restaurant between Aserbaidschan and its exclave Nakchivan have a rest at the wonderful Lchak restaurant complex in Եղեգնաձոր. It is located in the valley of a river with mountains in the back and has an artificial lake surrounded by trees. You can have lunch in closed or open wooden cabins – this must be especially great in summer when you can eat above the water.

November 16, 2019February 14, 2020

Noravank

Noravank is one of the most beautiful Christian monasteries in Armenia. It is located in the South of the country not far from the city of Արենի at the end of a valley. The different buildings are made from the red stone of the surrounding mountains which works a little bit like camouflage. It dates back to the 13th century, was partially destroyed during an earthquake in 1840 but afterwards restored. Within a protective wall, you can visit three churches and the remains of further buildings necessary for a monastery.