POPPIES everywhere! I finally went south to Sissian last Thursday with Julie. The trip was uneventful on the marshrutni (mini bus) and it only cost 2000 Drams. Well I say uneventful once the bus left but for the seating arrangements we had some problems. Julie and I decided to sit in the front seat next to the driver and there was a guy literally fighting to sit there (he reckoned he had the right to since he was militsia). Other passengers got themselves involved, mainly guys, who were trying to convince this militsia that as women we should get front seat (advantage or disadvantage).

Didn�t want to let above spoil my trip, so I thoroughly enjoyed the nature it was absolutely amazing, I will try and post some pics. We met up with Jack in Sissian who�s still doing his walkathon of Armenia and we stayed at a really nice hotel in Sissian for the night. I also finally met Ashod, a painter from Sissian (I now own 3 of his paintings) who is a very interesting character and a great artist. The following day we drove to Zorats Karer (Armenian Stonehenge) saw devil�s bridge and visited Datev Monastery. I have wanted to see Datev for so long now and I finally had the opportunity.

Got back to Yerevan late Friday and took my visiting cousins from LA to the famous falafel place then onto Paplovok Jazz club (I only go there with tourists). Saturday we did vernisage and they bought lots of souvenirs even a duduk. After dinner, I took the girls (my cousin�s daughters) to a disco since they wanted to experience the nightlife. Funny thing was as soon as we walked in they were playing System of a Down followed by Tata, garodelem, they couldn�t believe it!

Today I will meet with Ara for lunch (he�s visiting from Karabagh) and we�ll watch the video of our Karabagh trip from a month ago. Tonight I will take my cousins to a traditional Armenian restaurant followed by Subway, a great jazz club.