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*Mountains in the begriming of the
winter slowly being covered with snow. |
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Some photos from Gyumri. |
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*Youth Palace in demolition. |
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*Students on a visit to Zvartnots. |
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* Shoppers at the shoe store. |
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*Limo services is a new trend in Yerevan. Most
marriages nowadays use this service, and the service is not cheap either. |
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*Traffic in Yerevan has become considerably worse
than a few years ago. Far too many cars are on the road now, more than
the streets can handle. Parking is an issue and driving habits are not
very good. Is this a sign of progress!? |
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*Mother Armenia overlooking Yerevan from the hilltop.
This is a favorite place for boys who can check out military stuff around
the statue. |
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One of the worst snow falls in recent years over
Yerevan. The extend of the storm was so high, cleaning crews could not
catch up with it. Schools and work were halted in many places for as few
days. |
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*It is really interesting to see some cows resting
right in the middle of the road. sheep, goats, cows and pigs are let to
graze freely across the land. It makes one feel closer to the land. |
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*A little hut on the way north toward Haghartsin. |
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*Traffic in Yerevan has become considerably worse
than a few years ago. Far too many cars are on the road now, more than
the streets can handle. Parking is an issue and driving habits are not
very good. Is this a sign of progress!? |
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*Night traffic in Yerevan. A little lighter than
during the day until very late night when most entertainment centers close.
Billboards stay lighted until late hours too. |
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*One of several limousines in Yerevan which are
used often for weddings. How they maneuver in the narrow streets or alleys
is another thing. |
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*At an intersection. The traffic at this intersection
is lighter than the more crowded streets in the center of the city but
still much more cars than five years ago when the streets were quite empty. |
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*Another intersection with a lot of cars passing
as a man crosses the street right between the cars, something that is
done often. |
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*Just an interesting picture of a bird sitting
on the cloth hanging wire. |
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*Shoppers in the street by Tashir department store
in Yerevan |
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Tsitsernakabert by the fire. The fire burns continuously
in honor of the victims of the Genocide. Armenian visitors always place
flowers in the memory of the victims since many Armenians are the descendants
of the survivors. Click on photo to see the QTVR Panorama (large file,
be patient). |
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*A farmer selling his produce from his car. |
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Some 3D Photos from Geghart and Surrounding. |
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*A fruit seller standing by his fruit stand, selling
mostly locally produced fruits and seeds. Stands like this are all over
the cities and towns across the country. No matter which part of town
you are, chances are you will find a place to buy fruits and other produce,
bread, etc. |
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*Alaverdi, the copper town. This is a very scenic
city. This city used to live on the copper mine and sweltering plant.
Since independence the city is not very well off even though the smelter
still runs, not to the extend as it was during the Soviet period though.
At the time the city's one hotel had one elevator that didn't work and
had no hot water. Hopefully things will turn around if and when the leaders
of the country pay their attention to other cities like Alaverdi. |
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*Visitors looking at the map of Yerevan at the
bottom of the Alexander Tamanian, the original chief visionary architect
of Yerevan. |
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How often do you see rainbow like this? A beautiful
rainbow over Yerevan taken on May 7, 2006. Special thanks to Lilit who
provided this unique photo. |
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*Statue of Tamanian standing at the center of
Yerevan with the map of Yerevan in front. |
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*Go out and sit on one of the benches and look
at the people come and go, talk to your friends, just rest or... |
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*... talk on your cell phone or do your studies.
the city is so wonderful when it comes to public places. as much as the
green areas are being cut down to accommodate for new construction, there
are still plenty of areas to sit down and rest or just look around. |
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*At the newsstand with her daughter. A mother
walking by a newsstand in downtown Yerevan. The newsstand is on wheels
so at the end of the day the operator just closes shop and takes it with
him. |
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QTVR Panorama from Cascade. Since Mr. Gerard L.
Cafesjian has taken the responsibility of renovation and maintenance of
Cascade area and the museum it has been changed dramatically. Many people
just roam around this area to relax. Tourists and locals visit the art
museum within the cascade which has many levels containing several artworks.
The employees are extremely responsive and helpful. This place is really
very beautiful and one of the must see places in Yerevan. To view the
QTVR Panorama click on photo. To see a full spherical QTVR Panorama of
this area click here.
To learn more about the Cascade check the
official site. |
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Stand by the statue of
St.Mesrop Mashtotz the creator of Armenian alphabet at the footsteps of
Matenadaran. It is the most important scientific research center of old
Armenian manuscripts in the world. Located in Yerevan it has the largest
collection of Armenian manuscripts. Originals and hand-written copies
of more than 17,000 manuscripts and around 300,000 divan and archive documents
not only in Armenian, but also Greek, Latin, Arabic, Persian, Syrian,
Jewish, Hindu, Japanese, etc. are kept in the Matenadaran. To learn more
about Matenadaran visit their official
site. |
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View of lake Sevan from up the hill. |
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Resort hotel on hilltop at lake Sevan. |
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The Sevan monastery on top of the hill that is accessible by land. |
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Closer view of the monastery at the top. The size
can clearly be recognized by looking at the people nearby. Sevan monastery
consists of two churches. The church of Saint Astvatsatsin and the smaller
church of Saint Arakelots. They are located on hilltop on a peninsula
in lake Sevan. It is now easily accessible but a few decades ago the place
used to be an island. This monastery was founded in 874 AD. These two
churches are the only intact structures of the monastery. |
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*Sidewalks in Armenian cities especially Yerevan
are lined up with stores and sidewalk shops selling everything from cigarettes&
newspapers to shoes and shirts. You also find money exchange shops everywhere... |
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*... in many parts you will find coffee shops
small or large, indoor or outdoor. It is great to take a brake from walking
by sitting down in one of these cafes, take a soft drink or coffee and
just relax... |
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*... interestingly all stores are on the first
floor of apartment buildings... |
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*... farther out you go from center of the city
less crowded it gets. |
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*Republic square, in front of the gate to Erebuni
hotel. This area is very busy and there are always cars parked in the
area although there is an attendant to guide the cars to move and park. |
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*The Republic Square at night. As busy as day
time specially during the summer months where many people come to the
square for strolling or sitting at the many open coffee shops. |
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*Looking at Abovyan street from the Republic square. |
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*Young teenagers having a social gathering outside
their home... |
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*Young teenagers having a social gathering outside
their home... |
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*These rundown houses convey the poverty and vulnerability of the people
who live there. These are real extreme and while I was there I did not
see conditions like this to be widespread, but obviously some have not
been able to keep up with the times. In contrast, I have seen residences
that I have not seen here, super luxurious, obvious indication of success.
This is what freedom and capitalism brings to a new nation that cannot
sufficiently take care of its poor yet. |
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*This structure was where it ended, that is the
lift ride from the top of the hill. The operation of the lift was suspended
and consequently stopped permanently due to an accident that killed several
people riding it while descending. |
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*Here is the lift full of passengers going down
the hill. it was a similar car that crashed to the ground mid air, causing
the death of many. |
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*Here is the top
of the lift line when it was operational. It is sad that the lift operation
is abandoned because it could have played a role in the tourist business
if restored and maintained. Unfortunately the face of Yerevan is changing
rapidly to the better or to the worst depending on who you ask. Many important
landmarks that could have been used for tourism such as trolleys, the
Youth Palace, the green belt, and this lift are disappearing into history
and some say that the charm of the city is disappearing too as the city
is losing its uniqueness. |
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*Early morning rush hour on the road coming down
form the hill. A scene like this did not exist just a few years ago! |
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*Geghart grounds, access bridge to the other side.
One can go to the other side for walking in the natural surroundings or
hiking. |
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*Rainy days on a main street
and a side street. |
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*A farmer's tractor on a scenic road in the mountains
of Lori in a rainy day. |
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*Mouth watering watermelons on the streets of
Yerevan sold everywhere by street vendors when in season. |
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*Watermelons stacked up along with other fruits
on a sidewalk. |
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Beautiful Alaverdi, the copper city of Armenia
in northern part of the country deep in the mountains of Lori. The area
is very picturesque and it’s a town that needs to be rediscovered.
The Alaverdi church is visible on the left,
so is the smoke from the smoke stack of the copper smelter. |
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*A street at the edge of town in Alaverdi. People
at the “Mashrutka” minibus stop waiting to take a ride. |
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*A typical charming little balcony in Alaverdi.
|
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*Here is one side of the main town square where
stores are. The only hotel in town is also located here. There are many
historic churches and monasteries all around Alaverdi. The sceneries are
truly beautiful. |
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*A few photos of Grand Candy store
where you can indulge yourself with all sorts of candies and chocolates.
I must admit this is one of my favorite stores in Yerevan. |
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Panoramic image - on the way to Aragats. |
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*A street in Yerevan with little traffic. The
street is fairly clean other than the trash piled up in the alley. Most
of the residential buildings in the area are very old, some as old as
60 years old when they were constructed by the Nazi prisoners under the
Soviet communist rule. |
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Youth hotel (Kukurus) gone. Place your mouse on
photo to see before/after. Click on photo to go to demolition page. (UPDATED) |
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Lori Marz in 3D. |
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Opera at night - beautiful and lighted up at night.
This placed is the center of activity at night with its events at night,
outdoor cafes around it, restaurants and disco for all people to enjoy,
young & old alike. Click
on photo for more. |
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Geghart grounds, access bridge to the other side.
One can go to the other side for walking in the natural surroundings or
hiking. Click
on photo for more. |
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On the way to Gosha Vank in 3D. |
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*Saint Sarkis church by Hrazdan river. |
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*Another rainy day in the city. |
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*A little of Glendale, CA streets. |
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A series of photos in different view in &
around Yerevan. Click on photo to be directed to the album at photoarmena. |
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*The Opera House in the heart of Yerevan. Many
new constructions are being done from there toward the Republic Square
on the new Northern Avenue. |
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*Visible is Mother Armenia on the top of the hill,
in the Victory Park. She is the guardian of Armenia through pease and
strength. Inside is the museum of Ministry of Defense with many items
from WWII as well as the Nagorna Karabakh conflict of the 1980-90s. Behind
it is the place where families go for fun. Further back is the Sports/Concert
complex. |
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A beautiful scene of sunlight hitting the buildings. |
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*A little snowman in the backyard of the residential
building, built by the children of the area. |
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A winter day in my neighborhood. |
