Wednesday October 29, 2014
Cool and cloudy in the morning.
The Road Scholars group departed for home last night so I had a free day to explore Yerevan on my own. I had another good breakfast from the buffet at the Ani Plaza Hotel and went out to explore the city.
The apprehension I had felt in the morning disappeared as I walked along the streets to the Matenadaran.
The Matenadaran is a museum of ancient manuscripts and is one of my favorite places to visit in this great city.
Then I viewed some of the collection of manuscripts, texts, books, scrolls, maps, and other printed objects in many languages. I wanted to find out more information about the first book printed in the Armenian language, The Friday Book. I interviewed one of the guides who also told me she worked at the museum for forty-eight years.
I decided to re-visit another favorite place in Yerevan, so I walked a few blocks to the Cafesjian Arts Center aka The Cascade.
I wanted to go to the very top because the last time I was there, it was closed. So I rode the interior art gallery escalator as far as I could.
The sun came out and the view of the city of Yerevan was magnificent.
I climbed down and walked in the direction of the hotel. It was almost two o’clock and I had remembered a good lunch spot called Mer Tagh. Although the weather was chilly, I sat outside and had a scrumptious lakhmajoun.
It cost 750 Drams which is about $1.82 – add a Coke for 250 Drams (61 cents) and hot tea for 300 Drams (73 cents). I think this was the cheapest lunch I ever had.
On my way back to the hotel I bought a winter hat in anticipation of freezing temperatures in Kazakhstan. At the very last moment when I was home packing for this trip, a warm hat made the cut list. Now I was sorry. I had a good time walking around Yerevan, taking photos, and seeing the sights.
I returned to the Ani Plaza to repack for my next tour in the ‘Stans of Central Asia. The plane leaves early in the morning and I had a lot to do.
