Yerevan - old and new

We've been in Yerevan for the last couple of days.  Very hot - in the 30s though I am told we can look forward to even higher temperatures as we move East over the next 2 months (50s require no movement, just sips of water and cool cloths on your neck, I'm told).

There is so much here in architecture that reminds me of the starkness of a spartant rule under communism.  Not sure if that's a prejudgous of the movies I've watched or a true reality of the times, however - clean stern lines, uniformity, absence of decore except in sculptures - more modern and expressionistic. I did not take pictures of the Genecide Museum - art and pictures depicting an entire nation in horror.

Busy markets.  Food and transportation is extremely cheap, however the tourist markets are expectedly marked up.  Sometimes a bargain - new - used top vest for 2.50 USD.  We'll be attended a live dance performance tonight.  Will see if I can take some pictures to share. Most of the group have gone to town already.  Will be off by mid afternoon myself.

Onto Armenia

Anticipation

I've seen so much so far.  Into our 3rd week and 9 or more to go .  Currently in a hotel in Tablisi, Georgia - population 1 1/4 million.  Its with very much a French/Europeon influence in the architecture of the buildings.  Busy, bustling streets, theatres,  mass crowds and parks, an old city set back that reminds me of old Quebec City but older.  Modern dress, trim and summery clothes - its hot - our midsummer.  Rained the day before yesterday as we found our way to a local restaurant, sampling the food, and drink a very cheap, respectable beer - about a dollar for pint of draft.  All day yesterday we were wondering through the old town - always a hill to climb to get to the most prestigous buildings.  Sulfur bath houses are set against the base of the hill.  I do think I ready though for some mountains again. Coming soon.

Finally able to load picture

We're getting closer to leaving Europe's hold I think.  We'll be in Armenia soon, and then in a couple of days will cross the Caspian Sea.

Middle Earth

City of Contrasts

Balumi, Georgia - the resort town of old Russia, not its own story.  All strata of social class in people and physical structure.  Gattos to new developments by foreign investors aimed toward the Western tourist.  It reminds me so much of Cuba.
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The city sits on the edge of the Black Sea.  Cobble stone beaches, much like the roads throughout the core of the city.  Beautiful water front parks with exotic plants from different parts of the world.  A bamboo forest.  The restaurant we danced in yesterday built in the likeness of an old wooden sailing ship.

People and cars everywhere in the core of the city. Open markets with local vendors butting against a modern mall.  Our hotel, the Mercury, faces onto a street lined with money exchange booths.  Down the street a beautiful church with Fresco paintings covering walls and ceilings...

No trouble here...

We are 'not' in Istanbul, and I am only hearing about the trouble there from folks in Canada. In fact this is such whole world appart from what we experienc ed just a few days ago.  Last night we camped in the mountains - low ranging yet some snow still holtding out a few hundred feet above us. Some of us took a late afternoon walk upward toward the summit though noone expected to get there. Rolling landscape, sheppards in the fields with their sheep, a women in traditional country dress, walking along a dirt path followed by her 4 cows...

Supper at the campsite and then the storm.  The wind rolled in as a warning to reinforce our tents before the rain. Darkness came with the rain. Large sheets of lightning lit up the sky as we ducked into our tents.

Gertie, my tent mate and I were just bundling into bed when the wind picked up, pushing the rain hard against our tent and into the door. Some things got wet but not as bad as for Jill who we found under the roof of her tent - the tent had completely collapsed.  She was fine just cold for the rest of it.

Of course this morning I had breakfast duty, and without a watch I jumped up a few times to make sure I wasn't late.  I found a brilliant stary night the first time, a gentle morning haze the second.  We travel the long road today up and down a magnificant gorge and pass through the maintains, now stopping at a mountain Inn for the night.


 

Fairy tales

Well its been at least 3 days since I've been able to get on the internet.  Many tales without an option to share.  Now in middle Turkey - Capidosia - the balloon ride was magnificent. Over a land that looks much a seen from lord of the rings.  More beautiful and stunning than I can describe.  My photos won't load up... I will try when I get better access.

Great group to travel with.  Weather has been clear and blue - some haze these last couple of days.  The valley we are in is riddled with tall columns and rock structures with man made caves- once home to ancient people....