Announcement

Collapse

Forum Rules (Everyone Must Read!!!)

1] What you CAN NOT post.

You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this forum to post any material which is:
- abusive
- vulgar
- hateful
- harassing
- personal attacks
- obscene

You also may not:
- post images that are too large (max is 500*500px)
- post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or cited properly.
- post in UPPER CASE, which is considered yelling
- post messages which insult the Armenians, Armenian culture, traditions, etc
- post racist or other intentionally insensitive material that insults or attacks another culture (including Turks)

The Ankap thread is excluded from the strict rules because that place is more relaxed and you can vent and engage in light insults and humor. Notice it's not a blank ticket, but just a place to vent. If you go into the Ankap thread, you enter at your own risk of being clowned on.
What you PROBABLY SHOULD NOT post...
Do not post information that you will regret putting out in public. This site comes up on Google, is cached, and all of that, so be aware of that as you post. Do not ask the staff to go through and delete things that you regret making available on the web for all to see because we will not do it. Think before you post!


2] Use descriptive subject lines & research your post. This means use the SEARCH.

This reduces the chances of double-posting and it also makes it easier for people to see what they do/don't want to read. Using the search function will identify existing threads on the topic so we do not have multiple threads on the same topic.

3] Keep the focus.

Each forum has a focus on a certain topic. Questions outside the scope of a certain forum will either be moved to the appropriate forum, closed, or simply be deleted. Please post your topic in the most appropriate forum. Users that keep doing this will be warned, then banned.

4] Behave as you would in a public location.

This forum is no different than a public place. Behave yourself and act like a decent human being (i.e. be respectful). If you're unable to do so, you're not welcome here and will be made to leave.

5] Respect the authority of moderators/admins.

Public discussions of moderator/admin actions are not allowed on the forum. It is also prohibited to protest moderator actions in titles, avatars, and signatures. If you don't like something that a moderator did, PM or email the moderator and try your best to resolve the problem or difference in private.

6] Promotion of sites or products is not permitted.

Advertisements are not allowed in this venue. No blatant advertising or solicitations of or for business is prohibited.
This includes, but not limited to, personal resumes and links to products or
services with which the poster is affiliated, whether or not a fee is charged
for the product or service. Spamming, in which a user posts the same message repeatedly, is also prohibited.

7] We retain the right to remove any posts and/or Members for any reason, without prior notice.


- PLEASE READ -

Members are welcome to read posts and though we encourage your active participation in the forum, it is not required. If you do participate by posting, however, we expect that on the whole you contribute something to the forum. This means that the bulk of your posts should not be in "fun" threads (e.g. Ankap, Keep & Kill, This or That, etc.). Further, while occasionally it is appropriate to simply voice your agreement or approval, not all of your posts should be of this variety: "LOL Member213!" "I agree."
If it is evident that a member is simply posting for the sake of posting, they will be removed.


8] These Rules & Guidelines may be amended at any time. (last update September 17, 2009)

If you believe an individual is repeatedly breaking the rules, please report to admin/moderator.
See more
See less

A trip to Armenia ~ Your knowledge and advice is needed

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • A trip to Armenia ~ Your knowledge and advice is needed

    I am a US-diaspora-Armenian and planing my first visit to Armenia. However, the impetus behind my visitation is a little deeper in meaning (to me) than the average tourist who is happy to hang on to the coattails of tourist-guides by following them everywhere the industry has devised for them beforehand ( and that is perfectly OK,by the way). Having said that, I don't mind doing my perfunctory share of touristic functions and enjoy them in the process. However, that's where our similarities must end. For I am interested in leaving the glitz, glamor and comfort behind and go to the villages and talk to the forgotten, to the poor and lend an ear to their stories; listen to their concerns and pain. I would like to get first hand knowledge and perspective uttered through their lips. I also like to go to Artsakh and do the same there. My question: What is the best way to achieve this? Are there any like-minded people who do this sort of thing? Is finding lodging in remote areas a problem? Would I be able to find families that would take us in? What would be an efficient mode of transportation while there? and any other helpful hints that you can think of is greatly appreciated.

  • #2
    Re: A trip to Armenia ~ Your knowledge and advice is needed

    I travel there often, best way to move around is to hire a taxi for a full day. This is how I used to do it, I've bought a mercedes now tho so no more taxi

    The good thing about getting the taxi is the fact that the driver is a local and that he can help you to find things or translate, speak russian etc.

    For Artsakh I don't know, I think going by bus.

    If you're going to find a place to stay bring cash, I was recently in Yerevan and it's all going downhill and getting close to a depression. Cash will get you all things such as a place to stay in a village.
    Last edited by TheGreat; 04-17-2009, 02:20 PM.

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: A trip to Armenia ~ Your knowledge and advice is needed

      Yerevan is not going into depression. Look at Yerevan now and in the 90's. There is a very big difference. Anyways, if you want to go the villages in Armenia, make sure to go to Dilijan, Shorzha (Tufenkian hotel there), Abaran, just to name few. It's important that you know Armenian in order to communicate in non-Yerevan places since English in rural places is not as much known. Also, it is always better to speak Eastern Armenian dialect because some people may not understand the western/american dialect and you will stand out (which is not always good).
      Մեկ Ազգ, Մեկ Մշակույթ
      ---
      "Western Assimilation is the greatest threat to the Armenian nation since the Armenian Genocide."

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: A trip to Armenia ~ Your knowledge and advice is needed

        Comparing Yerevan in the 90's with almost 20 years later is ridiculous. There is a depression, the DRAM is useless and foreign investors with projects in their pockets have been scared away because of the economical situation in the world.

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: A trip to Armenia ~ Your knowledge and advice is needed

          Originally posted by TheGreat View Post
          Comparing Yerevan in the 90's with almost 20 years later is ridiculous. There is a depression, the DRAM is useless and foreign investors with projects in their pockets have been scared away because of the economical situation in the world.
          Not twenty years, but since the end of Ter-Petrossyan and beginning of Kocharian, Armenia has improved immensely, go walk around kentron these days and it pretty much looks a well developing European city. Of course now Armenia is at a low point as many other countries are, but that will change.
          Մեկ Ազգ, Մեկ Մշակույթ
          ---
          "Western Assimilation is the greatest threat to the Armenian nation since the Armenian Genocide."

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: A trip to Armenia ~ Your knowledge and advice is needed

            In the spirit of "Մեկ Ազգ, Մեկ Մշակույթ" no matter where any fellow Armenian might happen to be from, I do appreciate your feedback. FYI, I do speak W. Armenian dialect and my comprehension of E. Armenian is quite decent too. So, communicating in either dialects won't be a huge stumbling point unless Russian is thrown into the mix. But hey, that's when I'll employ the good ole universal "sign language" of the hands,the feet, and the eyes. I am wondering though if it's better to make detailed arrangements beforehand in the US or just try to be a "real adventurer" and let things progressively develop as time go by?
            Last edited by Anton; 04-21-2009, 11:45 AM.

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: A trip to Armenia ~ Your knowledge and advice is needed

              Barev Anton jan. Good to hear that you'll be coming home . My families been a big traveller ever since I was born but we've settled down here in Yerevan for the past three years already. Feels great being back.

              Thought I might give you a tip or two.

              First off, I think you should only plan where you want to go (the major places) beforehand, but not the ENTIRE trip. Mostly because that's, frankly speaking, impossible. My family made a lot of plans in the past but most of the time, we ended up doing something completely different.

              My second tip is that when you come to Yerevan, never sit in a taxi if it doesn't have a meter. The drivers might cheat you. Just use the good ole meter.

              I wanted to ask you if you know Armenian but seeing as you do I think your all set .

              Good luck and all the best!
              THE ROAD TO FREEDOM AND JUSTICE IS A LONG ONE!

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: A trip to Armenia ~ Your knowledge and advice is needed

                Whatever you do don't stay at the Ani Hotel in Yerevan. My brother was just there and said it was a pit.

                Comment

                Working...
                X