VENDING Machines!
Yes, they have vending machines in Armenia. I purchased my first 7up can for 300 dram from a machine located on Sayat Nova (near Opera). Three years ago when I came to Armenia I asked myself (and probably a thousand others) how long it would take for the concept to come. WELL IT'S FINALLY HERE! Okay, I'm excited.
Some updates. Armen and I have officially been married for one year now. We went to Monte Cristo by the gorge at midnight to eat watermelon. Note to all, don't go to Montel Cristo if you only want watermelon - apparently it's only served after one orders a meal. And if you decide not to order a meal (say because it's past midnight) then they run out of watermelon.
The apartment - it seems like it's finally getting close to that moment. Though it was supposed to be ready in June it won't be ready till September. However, it finally looks like an apartment. Maybe I'll get my act together and post a picture one of these days... or maybe not.
Work is quite busy - will be traveling to Tbilisi for a week and then am going to the US for a month. It will be a nice break from the summer heat. And I'm excited to play tennis on some hard courts. Armen's work is moving along much better than we expected. His site is up and running (www.bzdesign.am). His new commercial is also now airing on three channels. It features a pair of white hands on a complete black background. The hands pantomime the creation of a table and it ends with "the art of making furniture, B&Z". I must say it's not a commercial you'd expect to see here. On the topic of commercials, the new one for Viva Cell (the new cell phone carrier) is also quite well made. They've finally entered the market and now armentel phones no longer work. Great!
Some updates. Armen and I have officially been married for one year now. We went to Monte Cristo by the gorge at midnight to eat watermelon. Note to all, don't go to Montel Cristo if you only want watermelon - apparently it's only served after one orders a meal. And if you decide not to order a meal (say because it's past midnight) then they run out of watermelon.
The apartment - it seems like it's finally getting close to that moment. Though it was supposed to be ready in June it won't be ready till September. However, it finally looks like an apartment. Maybe I'll get my act together and post a picture one of these days... or maybe not.
Work is quite busy - will be traveling to Tbilisi for a week and then am going to the US for a month. It will be a nice break from the summer heat. And I'm excited to play tennis on some hard courts. Armen's work is moving along much better than we expected. His site is up and running (www.bzdesign.am). His new commercial is also now airing on three channels. It features a pair of white hands on a complete black background. The hands pantomime the creation of a table and it ends with "the art of making furniture, B&Z". I must say it's not a commercial you'd expect to see here. On the topic of commercials, the new one for Viva Cell (the new cell phone carrier) is also quite well made. They've finally entered the market and now armentel phones no longer work. Great!
posted by Arina at 2:20 AM
12 Comments:
i bought viva cell simcard..its pretty good..just sucks if you try connect to armenhell..which is obvious really..and the top up cards are NOWHERE...except the big viva building next to metropol hotel..quite nice inside..
Bravo Arina and Armen.
Pleased to hear it. We have always maintained that Hayastan is progressing well. Even though it has a lot to do to catch up with the West, I am sure we will get there.
Levon
Do we really need to catch up with the West? I personally think there are lots of things that West would love to have, such as healthy food. I hope one day we won't be sorry we processed and packed everything like West does. Things are more natural here than in the West in all aspects, and that's to our benefit only.
Depending on how far west you mean Levon.
As far as progressing, it's happening, too bad not as fast as we all hope. Sure new buildings, cafes, shops and restaurants are being built everywhere, but there are TONNES of social issues that need to be dealt with ASAP.
Let's aim for a happy median... the west has plenty to aspire to itself. What's the news on WiFi in Armenia?
there was a hotspot i noticed in the foreign ministry..
said wifi is here
so thats the first place so far?
I would call a Cola etc vending machine not a progress but the opposit. It is pitty when you see the invasion of Junk-food culture to Armenia.
many countries whith that problem are trying to fight it, it is better though to eliminate the problem before it becomes a real issue.
The people in Armenia in hot weather were drinking tan (matsoun (yogurt) + water + salt and mint) prior to Coca-cola and the rest of the synthetic crap.
actually there are a few wifi locations around town. The first to have it is a really cool restaurant "The Club" located on Tumanian Street.
And Haig - the cool thing about these vending machines is that in addition to the COLAs they have Armenian juices and water. Not so junky!
Arina you make a better virtual face but forget to adjust your thoughts...vending machine ..it's another indicator of culture shock.
Hi there,
Our company operates and sells vendign machines. We started this business 6 months later after the 50, 100, 200 dram bills were completely replaced by coins. You need coins in order to operate vending machines, all other payment methods are supplimentary.
I guess some people are concerned about junk food being sold through vending machines. Do you know that 80 percent of dairy products in Armenia (including tan - yogurt/matsun mix/shake) are made of imported milk power, primarily from Ukraine, meaning that getting a radioactive product is a possbility.
I agree that a vending machine is as good as the product it sells. This is not a sales pitch. You can visit the American University, Post office on Saryan street, and other public locations where we have hot and cold beverge vending machines installed. For 200 drams you can have a REAL cup of espresso. It is a big convenience to have vending machines in public placed and offices. We import EU certified products for ensuring the quality of the drinks and eventually getting satisified customers.
Would appreciate if you can taste our drinks and let us know your opinion.
About the quality of the coffee offered in the Armenian market I can talk for hours, so email us separately if you are interested.
P.S. the second hand vending machine installed near opera with Evian ad and selling 7up is not ours.
We are a company in the United Kingdom exporting 2nd User Vending machines worldwide
We would be intrested in making contact with anyone intreted in purchasing any form of beverage, snack or food vending machine.
If your intrested mail direct to me at simon.alexander@generalvending.co.uk
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