Diaspora, Comparison Shopping, and YerazArt
Last weekend, my wife and I decided to take a trip to the NY/NJ area to visit some of her Haitian relatives who were having a family gathering. I was the only non-Hatian, and certainly the only "white" person there. Aside from the normal "getting to know you" stage between me and my new family, there were some observations I came away with during our trip. First, immersing myself in a non-Armenian Diaspora to see how they live life in America while having a strong tie to their homeland, Haiti, was fascinating. I kept thinking back to these blogs and all of the things we bitch out here as Armenians, and it is pretty much the same with the Haitians. Corrupt government, a dire need to maintain tradition while being here in America, parents who emphasize education and family, and a preoccupation with food and hospitality. While most of my new family members are immigrants with a strong work ethic, it was again facsinating to see how their offspring, 1st generation kids approached their parents Haitian ties to the land they left. It is all eerily similar. Having an opportunity to talk in detail with some of my wife's relatives about the similarities and differences between the two cultures has given me a better perspective on the challenges and triumphs of Diasporan people. And for the record, most people are alike all over.
In preparation for our Armenia trip that begins on Saturday June 10, I've had to make some adjustments in accomidations in Armenia. Because we want to be closer to City Center in Yerevan, Natacha and I have decided to rent an apartment in Opera Square rather than stay with our original plans of being in a hotel in Nork Marash. It was a tough decision, but, practicality and budget drove the decision. In any case, I am please to say that I started from scratch in looking for an apartment in a prime part of town. There are several services out there. However, the one I ended up using was a company called Hyur Service (Guest Service). www.hyurservice.com. I looked on www.yerevanrentals.com as well. However given the inventory and pictures on Hyur Service, I went with them. We are renting a 3 bedroom place for about 10 days. I will have to stay on for an extra three weeks on business while she goes back to Boston. However, the good news is that Hyur Service has thus far answered by questions in a very timely manner via phone and internet, provided me with options of services at a very reasonable rate, and did all of this with a great service attitude. Let's see what the place looks like before I go on with the praise, but, in general for people who want to rent place without paying over $150 a night in hotel fees, this is a great option. I think our total came out to around $50-$60 per night. Can't beat that. Given that the person I stay with in Yerevan is getting married, this will be my first extensive stay in a non-home situation.
After my one week vacation in Yerevan, I will begin work in Armenia for about 3 weeks on behalf of YerazArt. I've held the position of Executive Director since February and this will be my first time in Armenia with responsibilities in running a non-profit organization. The first order of business will be to establish our presense in Armenia and look for willing and able volunteers in the Diaspora to help our mission of supporting talented musicians in Armenia who are between the ages of 8 and 17. Support includes paying them a monthly stipend, buying or donating quality instruments, acting as a liason between Armenia and the professional music world and prestigious conservatories, and raising general awareness of the plight and needs of young musicians in Armenia. If anyone is willing to become a volunteer for YerazArt, please contact me at yerazart at gmail dot com.
Lastly, in Pomegranate news, Iakovos Kolanian's "Bohemio" album recently was printed and we are preparing for our CD release in the coming months. Also, Lilit Pipoyan and I will be meeting to conclude negotiations in Yerevan for her upcoming CD release on my label. And, Gor Mkhitarian and Mher Manoukyan's old band from Vanazor, LAV ELI, makes its CD release sometime at the end of July. Busy times.
In preparation for our Armenia trip that begins on Saturday June 10, I've had to make some adjustments in accomidations in Armenia. Because we want to be closer to City Center in Yerevan, Natacha and I have decided to rent an apartment in Opera Square rather than stay with our original plans of being in a hotel in Nork Marash. It was a tough decision, but, practicality and budget drove the decision. In any case, I am please to say that I started from scratch in looking for an apartment in a prime part of town. There are several services out there. However, the one I ended up using was a company called Hyur Service (Guest Service). www.hyurservice.com. I looked on www.yerevanrentals.com as well. However given the inventory and pictures on Hyur Service, I went with them. We are renting a 3 bedroom place for about 10 days. I will have to stay on for an extra three weeks on business while she goes back to Boston. However, the good news is that Hyur Service has thus far answered by questions in a very timely manner via phone and internet, provided me with options of services at a very reasonable rate, and did all of this with a great service attitude. Let's see what the place looks like before I go on with the praise, but, in general for people who want to rent place without paying over $150 a night in hotel fees, this is a great option. I think our total came out to around $50-$60 per night. Can't beat that. Given that the person I stay with in Yerevan is getting married, this will be my first extensive stay in a non-home situation.
After my one week vacation in Yerevan, I will begin work in Armenia for about 3 weeks on behalf of YerazArt. I've held the position of Executive Director since February and this will be my first time in Armenia with responsibilities in running a non-profit organization. The first order of business will be to establish our presense in Armenia and look for willing and able volunteers in the Diaspora to help our mission of supporting talented musicians in Armenia who are between the ages of 8 and 17. Support includes paying them a monthly stipend, buying or donating quality instruments, acting as a liason between Armenia and the professional music world and prestigious conservatories, and raising general awareness of the plight and needs of young musicians in Armenia. If anyone is willing to become a volunteer for YerazArt, please contact me at yerazart at gmail dot com.
Lastly, in Pomegranate news, Iakovos Kolanian's "Bohemio" album recently was printed and we are preparing for our CD release in the coming months. Also, Lilit Pipoyan and I will be meeting to conclude negotiations in Yerevan for her upcoming CD release on my label. And, Gor Mkhitarian and Mher Manoukyan's old band from Vanazor, LAV ELI, makes its CD release sometime at the end of July. Busy times.
posted by Raffi at 7:41 PM
4 Comments:
Raffi,
I am curious about the renting scene in Yerevan, and if you could elaborate a little, that would be very helpful.
Do I understand correctly that it is possible to rent a 3-bedroom apt (I presume, fully furnished) in the center of Yerevan for $50-60/night? Would it be cheaper if you rented it on a monthly basis (say, for 3 months) rather than for 10 days? Is it all yours or is it shared with the "other person who is getting married"? How much is the service fee charged by the agency?
Thanks a lot for any info,
Artashes
Ya, I actually used the online apartment-rental stuf too this year. It worked out really well.. although I didn't go with hyurservice, I went with www.menuatours.com and they're even going to pick me up from the airport (which saves the hassle of finding them for the key) as an added bonus (no extra fee)!
Hi Shooshig,
Same here, I think the price was $10 to be picked up and bring us to the apartment. We pay them upfront for the stay and they give us a receipt. Pretty good deal...
Hi Artashes,
www.hyurservice for more info and details. I would assume that it would be less expensive if you rent for a longer period of time. However, I just need it for 10 days.
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