Aruch Cathedral in Armenia: The ruined dome and the birds

Armenia lives and flows in my veins. My connection to my country is a bond that cannot be broken even if I spend years and decades outside of it. I don’t know how attached other nations are to their country and land, but we Armenians are and we pride ourselves on that.

While I knew much about the history of Armenia, I did not know that much about its places of interest and it all began a few years ago, when I started studying each single “place-to-see” in Armenia. Back then it was just a study which then transformed into a website presenting full information about Armenia, whereas today I stick to the lists I had made back then and organize weekend travels there.

Lake Parz (Clear) in Armenia: Hidden gem

Photo by Ani Babayan

One of the things I love about my life are the weekend travels. While at first just a mere adventure, they have now turned to a kind tradition which we try to always keep. Being a small country Armenia has much to offer for those who are willing to explore it.

On the road we thought of going to Haghartsin Monastery, the beauty of which is beyond description, but as we drove closer to the monastery we decided to go to a place where we had not been — to Parz Lich translated into English as Lake Clear.

When entire Armenian family is brutally killed by rogue Russian soldier in their sleep

Photo by Ani Babayan

My country — Armenia– has faced lots of atrocities and has been number one in several things. Being the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity we were also the first nation to undergo massive killings described as genocide and known as Armenian Genocide. We are a nation that has spent ages under foreign rule and striving for independence and freedom

In Yerevan Zoo

Photo by Ani Babayan

A visit to Yerevan Zoo was kind of a pre-birthday gift for me made by one of my friends, Larisa. We spent great time there, although she was apparently very much annoyed and even bored with my continuous and never ceasing moments of excitement and wows. That’s where I was most close to the nature and wildlife, although my views on keeping animals in such small cages, and on the whole, cutting them from nature and locking somewhere are still to be discussed, but not now and not today.

Two things about the zoo; first you have to pay 500 Dram (it makes 500 Dram for adults, and below 500 Dram, if I am not mistaken 250 Dram for kids) for the entrance and second, make sure you have some cabbage and carrot with you. The food can be bought in the zoo, but why spend extra money (400 Dram) on a small amount when you can buy much more from the shops, and feed more animals.

What’s a Woman? A Minute Thing? Never!

“Are you obedient?” the priest asks the bride.

“I am,” says the bride. This question is addressed only to the bride and it clearly shows how a typical Armenian family is formed and on what it’s based.

Who’s the Armenian woman in the Armenian family living in the Republic of Armenia? She’s everything, the true constructor of the kingdom called family. The success and happiness of the family depend on the wisdom of the woman, on the whole on how she manages to rule it. Here she’s a real queen without whom everything would be incomplete.

Trip To The Eternity Of My Soul

People like me hardly ever know how to spend their free time. We devote us to our job, and forget that other than work and responsibilities there is also another thing to do — to spend some time on ourselves — to go to parties, to the country or just hang out somewhere. It means to remember that besides living for others we should live at least a few days for ourselves. It’s already very difficult for me to make such decisions, but that time I had firmly decided to change my attitude towards myself.

A friend of mine called me and invited to a one day tour through Armenia. It was hard to say yes, but then I did — I said yes!