Armenia
Armenia, an eye-dropping mountainous country bordered by Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkey, holds many hidden wonders. It has the distrinction of being the first Christian country in the world and claims the title of being the only country where chess is a mandatory subject in schools. Exploring Armenia, I encountered powerful memorials dedicated to the Armenian genocide and the devastating earthquake of of 1988. I was intrigued by the monuments, architecture, and art of the former Soviet Union, and was in awe as I walked along the ancient megaliths, know as the Armenian Stonehenge, dating back to 7500 BC. A highlight of my Armenian experience was meeting an eccentric cross stone artist who was Immersed in a world of vibrant creativity. I couldn’t help but embrace the joy that radiated from him.
When I think of the capital city of Yerevan, fountains immediately come to mind. The vibrant city is adorned with 2,750 fresh water drinking fountains, generously providing endless streams of delicious water to all who pass by. The drinking fountains are works of art as are the stunning sculptural fountains that grace the cityscape. Yerevan is an ancient city with a rich history dating back to 750 BC, surprised me with its safe streets, delicious cuisine and warm hospitality of the locals. Despite enduring various conflicts and wars over time, Armenia remans a rich culture and a resilient and captivating nation.
