Spitakavor

Some structures in the village of Vernashen, just above Yeghegnadzor and the gateway to Spitakavor, an 11th century church way up in the mountains.

The view of the Yeghegnadzor valley from the road to Spitakavor. Click on the image to see it larger, I have labeled some of the sites around my area.

The village of vernsahen from above.

Yeghegnadzor and Getap.

Ararat and Sis.

Henni, the German volunteer, and a couch surfer from Spain.

Yeghegnadzor and Getap.

A sheppard that passed us by on our way up. I told him he has the best job ever and he agreed.

Sheppard and his dog, there was a puppy in tow also. Obviously herd dog in training, also one of the best jobs in the world.





Just to the left of that rocky peak is the church. We thought we never were going to get there.

Looking down into the river gorge, we took this way back.

I live here!

And there it is!


Unfortunately, the church has been remodeled and looks pretty new. I say unfortunately because I think they look so much cooler when they are kind of falling apart. Still beautiful, though.

There were Chukars running around everywhere here.

A sheppard village down by the river.

The river gorge on the hike home. That village you can see is Vernashen, just above Yeghegnadzor.

The road sign to Sptiakavor.


My reward from the hike, mmm Spanish tortilla!

October stroll in Malishka

Typical Jon.

This is Paige and a warm glass of Kilikia beer, the most common and most disgusting beer you can find. Something like Olde English with a little bit of skunk in it. MMM! So refreshing!

Me and my marz mates, minus Elliott.


Jon, the philosopher.

Jon and Paige.

bummer

My computer screen tragically succumbed to the back door of a marshutni and is now in America awaiting repairs. Thank goodness for personal property insurance. Lets hope for an expedient return so I can go back to posting photos!

I tried in Hayeren, but the first e is backwards... I'll have to do it again.
Writing my name in the dark.


Vartan and his super sweet jeep.

Monster thistle!

My lovely chaco tan and the waterfall.

A wonderful waterfall up the Yeghis canyon outside of Yeghegnadzor. This is Ruzan's son's friend, Vartan.

Me!

Sunset over Getap.

Gathering pears for making chir, or dried fruit.

Inscense at the graveyard. This was the 10th anniversary of Ruzan's (my host mother) father's death.
Lighting a fire to burn inscence at the graveyard.



Sweet little family.


My new next door neighbor, Garik and his son Ashot.

And theres me again.

My balcony from the inside of the house.

The rooster that so kindly reminded me that it was time to wake up when the sun comes up. The day after I took this photo, I found him headless and bloody in the kitchen sink. He didn't taste as good as I had hoped.

Me and my city!

Yeghegnadzor looking down the valley toward Vayk.

We walked along the road to get to Her Her, it was a HOT HOT day!

My site mate, Jon taking a water break in the shade on our way back from Her Her.

I didn't want to swim because there were a MILLION tiny fish in there, and I was afraid I'd wash all my sunscreen off. The sun is super intense here.

Paige, my marz mate after our hike to Her Her Lake, just south and east of Vayk, where she lives.

The famous Areni grapes from Armenia. They are so crunchy and tasty!

The unrivaled Chaco tan. I worked VERY hard maintaining it.

Grapes on my balcony.


Do you have watermelon in America? Is it better here or there??

My visitors at the sunset rock. They brought me fresh baked lavash (like tortilla) and watermelon.

A little girl who came to visit me on my sunset rock.

My journal and the sunset. I love to hike up here to write, read and watch the Bee Eaters and Kestrels catching dinner.

This is Vartablur, and extinct volcano as seen from the ridge above Yeghegnadzor.


Me in the gorge over Getap.