Hayastan am Bob Markarian Lawrence. In April and May of 2007 I journeyed back to Armenia (Hayastan in the Armenian language) to reconnect. My grandmother, great-aunt, great-uncle and great-grandmother were the only members of my immediate family to escape the gen

Gallery: Hayastan - last day

Sunday, 20 May 2007 | Photo Gallery

Thursday - Lori Province

Friday, 18 May 2007 | Views [2540] | Comments [4]

I think I saved the best for last unknowingly. I've been a real purist about not taking any tours while I'm here. I picture the mile-high buses crawling through the narrow village towns booting burros, pigs and cows out of the way. And believe me, they ... Read more >

Tags: On the Road

A Night at the Opera

Friday, 18 May 2007 | Views [2217]

I get lots of comments on how you all are enjoying these articles and waiting for the next one to come out. And I realize that it's been over two days since I've written. I have been having some great adventures over the last few days that ended late ... Read more >

Tags: Culture

Gallery: Lori Province and Yerevan

Friday, 18 May 2007 | Photo Gallery

I Go Deep Into the Well

Tuesday, 15 May 2007 | Views [2864] | Comments [4]

A very interesting thing is happening with me. I hit Monday and realized that my trip was in its final week. I am very ready to be home in so many ways. I miss Kristina, our children and grandchildren so much. And I miss our friends as well. So I thought ... Read more >

Tags: Adventures

Gallery: Aragatsotn and Ararat Provinces

Tuesday, 15 May 2007 | Photo Gallery

Gallery: Statue and Building Tour

Sunday, 13 May 2007 | Photo Gallery

Almost Kicked by a Duck

Saturday, 12 May 2007 | Views [2757] | Comments [3]

Jack Datisman is Ukrainian by descent. I think he is the second generation born in the U.S. Before I left, he sent me an email with some very sound advice - I know he was thinking about my welfare and I took his words to heart. Jack first warned me that ... Read more >

Tags: Adrenaline

Gallery: Tavush Province - Northern Armenia

Friday, 11 May 2007 | Photo Gallery

Khorovats, Vodka and Cigs, Oh My!

Friday, 11 May 2007 | Views [1806] | Comments [2]

So I am really traveling now. I made a productive decision to leave Yerevan and come to Tavush Province. This area that I'm in is so much like Switzerland must be. There are sharp valleys with houses and towns up and down both sides. Fast raging rivers ... Read more >

Tags: Culture

Vayots Dzor Province - Sisian

Friday, 11 May 2007 | Views [1774]

This seems like so long ago, this will be a short article. I finally did get to Sisian about a week ago if I remember correctly. It was a long ride in a marshrutka (mini-van) and I didn't know if we'd have any stops so I didn't drink any water for hours ... Read more >

Tags: On the Road

Fashion and Culture and Food

Tuesday, 8 May 2007 | Views [929] | Comments [10]

My good friend, Steve Snyder, and I talked a lot about blending in before I left. We figured that I knew enough about Armenia not to dress totally out of synch, that I looked Armenia enough and that I had enough of the language to blend in. Well, not ... Read more >

Tags: Food & eating

Gallery: Vayots Dzor - Southern Armenia

Tuesday, 8 May 2007 | Photo Gallery

I Take a Sick Day

Friday, 4 May 2007 | Views [1883] | Comments [3]

Well, I knew it would happen and I'm actually glad. I was planning on leaving for Sisian this morning but a wild and crazy night left me with a mild case of the traveler's woes. But to start the story, I must tell you about my evening with Artur Mikoyan ... Read more >

Tags: Food & eating

Gallery: Day 5

Thursday, 3 May 2007 | Photo Gallery

I'm Now a Pro Duduk Player

Wednesday, 2 May 2007 | Views [637] | Comments [3]

So today was very emotional for me but does have a funny conclusion. I went to Tsitsernakaberd (Fortress of the Swallows), the Armenian Genocide memorial. The biggest day of the year is April 24, Genocide Remembrance day. Thousands and thousands of ... Read more >

Tags: Culture

Gallery: First Four Days

Wednesday, 2 May 2007 | Photo Gallery

Day Three - YES!!!

Tuesday, 1 May 2007 | Views [521] | Comments [6]

Today has been an incredible day. I decided to get out of the city and visit two very popular sites, Garni and Geghard. Garni is a pagan temple dating from about 1000 B.C. if I remember correctly. Maybe it's even older. It has been lovingly rebuilt. ... Read more >

Tags: On the Road

First Day in Armenia

Saturday, 28 Apr 2007 | Views [704] | Comments [11]

This has been overwhelming to say the least. I wasn't even going to be at a computer today, but I'm exhausted and I needed to get a telephone number for someone here in Yerevan. I got in about 2 a.m. from London. I traveled over two days and actually ... Read more >

Tags: Sightseeing

Gallery: Markarian Family Photos

Sunday, 4 Mar 2007 | Photo Gallery