I have not been putting entries on my blog these past few days. I am in Armenia. Why did I go to Armenia? I felt burnt out from work, from people around me and felt myself being a "monster". Hurting people's, especially friends, feelings is the least thing I want to happen. So, I packed my bag and decided to take a break away from Dubai.
Armenia is a rich country stripped off of their own original identity. The Armenians are very passionate about their country. Most, if not all, have not forgotten how the Soviet Union has occupied them. The oldies would prefer being under Russia but the young ones don't. The saddest part of their history is the Armenian Genocide.
The Armenian Genocide[11] (Armenian: Հայոց ցեղասպանություն,[note 3] Hayots tseghaspanutyun; Turkish: Ermeni Soykırımı), also known as the Armenian Holocaust,[12] was the Ottoman government's systematic extermination of 1.5 million Armenians, mostly Ottoman citizens within the Ottoman Empire and its successor state, the Republic of Turkey.[13][14]The starting date is conventionally held to be 24 April 1915, the day that Ottoman authorities rounded up, arrested, and deported 235 to 270 Armenian intellectuals and community leaders from Constantinople to Ankara, the majority of whom were eventually murdered. The genocide was carried out during and after World War I and implemented in two phases: the wholesale killing of the able-bodied male population through massacre and subjection of army conscripts to forced labour, followed by the deportation of women, children, the elderly, and the infirm on death marches leading to the Syrian desert. Driven forward by military escorts, the deportees were deprived of food and water and subjected to periodic robbery, rape, and massacre.[15][16][17] Other indigenous and Christian ethnic groups such as the Assyrians and the Ottoman Greeks were similarly targeted for extermination by the Ottoman government in the Assyrian genocide and the Greek genocide, and their treatment is considered by some historians to be part of the same genocidal policy.[18][19] Most Armenian diaspora communities around the world came into being as a direct result of the genocide.[20]
(SOURCE: Wikipedia)
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The Genocide museum in Tsitsernakaberd, Armenia
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Yerevan (Երեւան) is the capital city of Armenia. It is also the largest city in Armenia. We can find the Republic Square, The Cascades, Yerevan Opera House, Kafesjian museum, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, St. Sargis church and a lot of pink-looking buildings. Yerevan is called the
Pink City because most of the buildings are colored pink. The pink impression is given by the stone used which is typical in the mountains of Armenia. Most buildings and houses are of typical Soviet type structures.
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| Republic Square in Yerevan |
Armenia is the first Christian country in the whole world adapting Christianity since 301. The Armenians are passionate about their religion. This is obvious with a lot of churches and monasteries in Armenia. According to our driver, Armenia consists of 90% Christians who are passionately in love with Jesus Christ evidenced by their love of the cross - the Khachkar. The Khachkar or the Armenian cross is all over Armenia. Khachkar means the cross rock. The Khachkar is an object of worship for the Armenians.
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| Khachkar |
This country is also known for wine, cognac and brandy. Armenia has the best tasting wine. The beer is just right to taste. Most Armenians drink and smoke maybe because of the cold weather. It is normal for Armenians to smoke even in family restaurants.
Karas wine along the airport
May Hayrenik (Մեր Հայրենիք) or Our fatherland is national anthem of Armenia. The Armenian flag is composed of three colors - red, blue and orange. Orange symbolizes the apricot which is the national fruit of Armenia.
The Armenian flag in front of a museum
The people of Armenia are very loving, sweet and one of the nicest people I have ever met. The Homestay where we spent our vacation and soul searching made us feel like family. Homestay Yerevan can be booked through
Homestay Yeravan in booking.com. This Armenian family made excellent homemade breakfast and introduced us to the best driver in Yerevan, Narek.
Narek, the best Armenian driver with Lerma, my friend
Our homestay family
Armenia, oh Armenia, a place I fell in love with.
