Day 35: 26th June, 2012- Yerevan, Armenia

7.10 a.m. : Morning is cool from last night’s rain. I have finished my morning tea and will be ready too go out. Last evening shower was hot and refreshing. I have asked for breakfast at 8.15 a.m. to Juneja.

1.10 p.m.  Sevan town.  We are waiting in a Mini Bus to go to Yerevan. We have seen Sevan Lake. I had a breakfast of Omelet with lots of coriander leaves, bread and cheese with coffee. I requested Juneja to put my clothes in the washing machine and gave  her the clothes. At 8.40 a.m. I came out and Hamo came running. We wished each other. Then went down through the side road to the Bus stand. We boarded Bus No.101 which took a long time to the Northern Yerevan Bus stand. From here one bus we changed for Sevan which took one hour drive -60 kms. The road was upside climbing. All sides were grassy land and small hills. Sevan turn is also hilly with grassy land. It is a neat and clean town. 

Lake near Yerevan

Resting near Lake

Now we hired a taxi for Sevan Lake which starts from a little distance but the church on the top is 10 km away so we needed  a taxi.  This is a local picnic and tourist spot with many restaurants. Souvenir shops, two small shops type boats for excursions in the lake and a few water scooters.

Oldest Church near Yerevan

Inside view of Church

We climbed stairs and there was a small church which was supposed to be built in 300 AD and rebuilt again. While climbing the stairs, there were painting and other souvenir sellers. One old person was playing guitar. I gave him some money and he played it for me. While coming back, he again played and sang  Indian song “Awara Hun, Awara Hun”.  This is the song which had made great impact in Russian Generation in last many decades. I appreciated his singing and gave more money.

Man singing Awara Hun song

This small church is religiously important for Armenian people. There was a good view of the lake from the top of the hill.  This hill was once submerged in water but now water level has gone down. We came down and sat near the water and enjoyed some talk. Then we decided to return. We got a local mini bus which was going to one or two villages and then to Sevan town. We had to wait for 45 minutes before our another mini bus left for Yerevan at 1.45 p.m. and reached Yerevan at 2.00 p.m. and after changing two micro buses, we reached our destination. I profusely thanked Hamo for spending two days with me. Without him, it wouldn’t have been possible to see so much and without any problem in Armenia. He also told me the bad political situation in Armenia and high corruption which is a common factor in CIS countries.

I came back at 3.00 p.m. to Boris’s home.  Before leaving at the corner shop, I bought curd milk bottle for Hamo and myself.  I slept for an hour after eating banana, bread and drinking curd milk. Now I am feeling fresh and have completed diary.  At 6.30 Pankaj Saxena, CDA of India will come and I will go for dinner to his house which is nearby. Pankaj Saxena phoned me and asked to meet at 7.00 p.m. I came out at 7.00 p.m. and he met me on the road. After Romanian Embassy is US Ambassador house and then Polish Ambassador house and from here Pankaj house is nearby. It is a good house, very well furnished with all Europe style furnishings. 

First Secetary, Acting Indian Ambassdor, Indian Embassy, Yerevan, Armenia

His wife Richa greeted me and I went inside. First I had tea and then we chatted for a long.  Pankaj told about his travelling experience. Of course he is in foreign service and so has travelled to different countries on postings and holidays. They have two children, a son and a daughter. Both are studying in Canada and they are waiting for their coming to Armenia in holidays. We enjoyed telling each other experiences. Richa knew Padki’s family. She was friendly to younger daughter of Padki. Probably I knew her one brother Vinay Saxena who used to come to Youth Hostel in 1980’s. We had dinner. 2nd time in this trip I had Indian food, dal, roti, vegetable also Gobhi, Palak Paneer Raita. Pankaj opened sparkling Armenian wine bottle. It was 9.45 p.m. and I returned back to the Boris House. Pankaj and his wife invited me to come for lunch tomorrow at 1.00 p.m.  They wanted to pack some food for me for  Sochi.  I politely declined.  It was nice of them. I came back and completed writing Day 29 on internet and sent it by e-mail. Then came to room for sleeping.

First Secretary with Wife