B A R E: Armenia - a pillar of Christianity

LOCATION: Armenia (Charent's Arc, Gerhard Monastery and Garni Temple)

WHEN: Spring, 2019

ABOUT: I visited a lovely friend in Armenia last spring for the first time... And as promised, I would like to take this chance to share my unforgettable experiences in this promising land. 

Armenia is a sweet little spot in the Caucasus, surrounded by larger states such as Turkey, Iran, Georgia and Azerbaijan. While mooning over the world map, it is undeniable that Armenia's geopolitical position can be summarised by the fervent histories of the countries surrounding it but with my own eyes, I saw it is a nation built on the collective desires and passions of its people to rebuild and preserve their country's longue durée - from pagan temples to monasteries moulded by ancient rocks. 

Over the Charent's Arc (above), lie the biblical Mt. Ararat - where Noah's Ark descended. The view  was magnificent yet tinted by the melancholic fog that overshadowed the horizon as I missed the peaks of Mt. Ararat. It was still forgivable as my disappointed mood was vanquished by the sights of the dreamy borders of Armenia and the pastoral lives of the people living nearby. The Arc is an epitome of Armenian architecture - cutting and clever as poet Egishe Charent's poems are carved on the arch. 

One of the first few things you would hear after arriving in Armenia as a tourist would be about its rich Christian legacies. I remember meeting an Armenian veteran during my flight from London-Armenia, who promised me that Armenia is the forgotten cradle of early Christianity and suggested that I visit as much monasteries as I could to fully indulge in its culture. As it turned out, I did not need to prompt my friend as it was the first 'touristy' thing she had planned for us the day after I arrived and visited Gerhard Monastery. It was quite a treat, as you can observe the transitional changes of religious symbols on the structural formation of the walls and rocks, from pagan animals to Abrahamic symbols. 

Some people perceive travelling as a way to seek beauty in 'true nature'. I, myself, frequent parks in cities to try and get close to this so-called 'nature'- dwindling in the sound of chirping birds and rustling trees but I would be lying if I say I travel to remote places for nature. In fact, I abhor the idea of travelling into a place where no-man has ever set foot before. The wilderness or 'untouched nature' is attractive but best left to be imagined. My desires for whimsical travels are encapsulated by the idea of being around new people - that to me would mean being in a new place. One of many reasons why I love London - you just keep seeing new faces everywhere! Learning new culture is what adds the tok to my tik (tik tok! loool). And Armenia isn't short of that. The continuum of the old and new cultures are so vivid everywhere you go! Just the dream!

These ribbons were tied by visitors, hoping their wishes to come true... 

Towards twilight, we drove down to Garni where one of the last few pagan temples in this part of the world rests. The temple was preserved beautifully as cherry blossom trees lined the courts. The Garni is most probably the best place to swoon over the Armenian sunset over the hills. 

This region of the country, just an hour away from Yerevan, is definitely a sure-way to introduce what Armenia is about. It simply encompasses the rich religious histories of the nation as the country still maintain its own denomination of Christianity despite many years of struggles and violence to keep their identity. 

Credits to K, Arman and the magical doggie <3 bis_size="{"x":16,"y":29247,"w":0,"h":0,"abs_x":75,"abs_y":29384}" font="" nbsp="">

TIPs

• arrange a cab to take you for a day to this region of Armenia, it was inexpensive.
• try this huge Armenian bread called Gata, they sell it in the monastery and I think it's the best place to get it.
• wear C O M F Y clothes! 
• go when the sky is blue (don't miss Mt. Ararat like I did!)
• say Merci (yes, it's French!) to thank people, they'll love you for it.

P.S I have more posts coming about my trip to Armenia, just pray I don't get too lazy again... 

- A P D