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    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

    Photos from Armenia

    There are [60] photos from Armenia

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    If you left home without your sea-scooter... Views[466] My landlady and friend, Anahit Stepanyan. Views[689] On the Cascad, there are five or six levels with fountains on them. This is one. Views[561] Looking down from the top of the Cascad with Ararat in the background. Views[1136]
     
    This is the inside of the National Ballet, Opera and Symphony Hall in Yerevan. I live right across the street from this. Views[3461] This is the Hotel Marriott in Hanrapetutyan Hraparak or Republic Square. To me it shows how the art style of the khatchkars is included on modern buildings. Views[938] This field out in the middle of pastureland in Aragatsotn Province contains huge letters of the Armenian alphabet that was developed my Mesrob Mashtots. Views[3651] The letter of my name This building has a dramatically slanted take on traditional tuff-stone building in Armenia. This is near the museum of the famed film maker, Sergei Parajanov. That's another story. Views[1093]
     
    Marshrutkas, marshrutkas, marshrutkas. This is so typical of an unending stream of public transportation. Views[996] Views[387] An exquisite khatchkar at Haghpat Monastery. Khatchkars are virtually never symmetrical from side to side. This symbolizes the imperfection of the world. The sides are often covered with intertwining vines similar to celtic knots. They are unending as is the universe. Views[771] Views[420] Views[405]
     
    We stopped here in the Debed Gorge to have lunch. This area with its steep sides, dense forests and picturesque towns in one of my favorites. Views[566] We went through a vast cemetary. Many of the stones are engraved with very likelike pictures of the deceased. This one is interesting because it also has khatchkars. Views[471] This is the well where St. Gregory was kept. Not a place I'd like to live for 13 years. Views[552] I am in front of Mt. Ararat. The taller peak is called Masis and the shorter peak is Sis. You can almost see the Arax river behind me. Turkey is on the other side. We were only about a mile away. Views[4318] A medieval bridge in Ashtarak. I think this is from the 16th century. Made me think of the devil's bridge in Italy. Views[1213]
     
    Wildflowers just below a church in Ashtarak. Views[1142] Stonework on the Opera House. Views[488] The famous musician, composer and national icon, Aram Khatchaturian. Views[537] Detailed stone trim on the Opera House. Views[548] Nuther view. Views[445]
     
    This is a wonderful statue. I couldn't read the script because it is so stylized. His first name is Arno but I couldn't read the rest. I remember reading somewhere that this sculpture was very controversial because some people thought it made him into a caricature. I love its energy and passion and humor. Views[4133] Goshavank Church Views[691] This khatchkar at Goshavank is one of the most intricate I've seen. Views[477] Artsun, my intrepid guide and friend. Views[2214] A door lintel at Goshavank. Views[3132]
     
    Zarik and her girlfriend in front of Goshavank. Views[425] Views[1315] The The Armenian word for door is
     
    Another door for Jack. This is also at Tatev Monastery. Views[535] Many of the 300 or so standing stones at Zorats Karer have been drilled out to observe celestial events. Views[2159] This is the ruined fortress-monastery of Andapad which is below Tatev on the Vorotan River. It was about an hour hike to get to it and just incredible. I played my duduk inside the church. The monks cells are austere to say the least. Views[572] I took this picture with my brother, Jack, in mind. I have several other pictures of doors. This is from the fortress-monastery at Tatev which was built in the 9th century and is perched on the edge of the very steep Vorotan River Gorge. Views[445] This is not a very bright picture but if you enlarge it, it's OK. This is Zorats Karer or the standing stones. It is from the Bronze Age and thus predates the stonehenge in England. Another name for this is Karahunge (
     
    About 54 feet tall, this waterfall is not always Sisavan Church set on the hill overlooking the town of Sisian and the Vorotan River. Originally built in the 6th century and recently restored. Views[947] Another view of Mayr Tachr. Views[820] My pals Sasoun, Ararat, Masis and other whose names I can't remember. Views[9455] The bell tower at Mayr Tachr, the church inside the Holy See. This church has the lance (geghard) that was supposedly used on Jesus. I didn't get to see it because it's in the Louvre right now. Views[368]
     
    These are khatchkars - intricately carved stone crosses. Some of these were dated from the 1500's. They are relatively new ones - khatchkars are all over the countr, Views[415] Echmiadzin - the Holy See of the Armenian Orthodox Church. This is where his holiness the Catholicos Karenkin II lives. Views[420] Views[278] Views[318] Views[840]
     
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