I had an nice trip up to Gyumri (Armenia's second largest city) this week, and I really had to change my opinion of the town. I had been there before and stayed in one of the newer, soviet, high-rise areas on the fringe of town, which was obviously not very attractive, and the quick jaunts into the town weren't enough to change my mind. This time I got a chance to really walk around the old town which has loads of beautiful old one or two story buildings, lots of parks, pedestrian-only streets, churches, a very nice museum, good food, and we checked out some very nice hotels as well. (Berlin and Isuz). I could still never live there since the winters are colder and longer than Yerevans, but now I will look forward to future visits, where I will get a chance to wander down different old streets.

Along the way there and back we saw some really nice spots I had already been to, but was showing off to others. Dashtadem fortress was very well received as usual and Harichavank was spectacular! I had not seen it since its restoration was complete and they did an amazing job of it. After we lit some candles we noticed a white dove sitting in the monastery and took this as a great sign (I have, after all, never seen one in Armenia except in captivity).

I finished a project I have been wanting to do for ages now. I created a new web site with a calendar of events for every single Armenian community in the world! Go to www.calendar.am and start using the calendar meant for you. (You can add your own events)

And finally, my dads plane lands here in 1.5 hours!