What will go down in history as The Four Days War broke out days before our travel to Armenia. A geo-political chess match in the disputed Nagorno-Karabagh state along the Armenia/Azerbijiani border threatened to quash our dream of skiing on Armenia's highest peak- the volcano called Aragats. Despite warnings from the U.S. Department of State, all our inside information told us we would find peace in and around Yerevan, the capital city and the lands surrounding Aragats. And peace we found.
As we walked past the bakery in Echmiadzen, we were called in, serenaded by the baker and given free bread. I took this photo from above the hot, smokey wood fired oven.
We spent a few days in the capital organizing our ski trip, visiting some nearby churches and monasteries, and trying unsuccessfully to blend in in an amazingly hip and cosmopolitan city. I was the tallest among the sea of black shorn heads, Deb was certainly the blondest and our ski bum travel clothes felt like rags compared to the chic dress of the locals. Checking out city life is always an adventure for me and I often feel like I could spend endless days wandering, drinking coffee in cafes and people watching.
After being shut down on Mount Ararat last year in Turkey, due to cloudy hail storms, we watched and waited for our weather window to ski Mount Aragats in Armenia. We surfed the Norwegian weather website yr.no constantly for days, hoping that we would get a gift of sunshine that would coincide with Deb's birthday on April 17th.
Lighted candles send prayers in one of the oldest Christian churches in the world. The Geghard Monastery 9 km from the the town of Garni.
We found our window, found our man, Hovhannes and we're ready for Aragats.
I'm grateful for your blog John! With your pictures no words are missing. Be safe!
ReplyDeleteOnce again, I'm simply speechless! I love the way you write and your pictures are spectacular. You are Deb are true ambassadors and such a positive reflection of America in your travels. Glad you avoided most of the lightening storm and managed to find peace good weather and therefore the ability to ski this amazing mountain. You two both are incredible!!
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
Mom