Musafir resident Sajda is just back from a holiday in Armenia. Apart from taking a much-needed break and visiting a new country, this vacation meant a lot to her. Read on to know why :
Why was the trip special to you?
This was my first ever "mum & me" holiday and I was skeptical about how she'd like the place. To my surprise, she was super comfortable and enjoyed every minute of this break. She went the extra mile to actually experience the culture, food and hospitality this city had to offer.
What was the most astounding thing about Armenia?
Undoubtedly, the scenic capital made me fall in love with it instantly. What astounded me the most is the hospitable nature of the locals. No matter in which part of the city you are, people are always willing to help. If they don't understand English they try to go out of the way to find a mediator who knows the language and help you out. What's more, they are extremely kind and chivalrous. I never felt lost or out of place. Trust me, Armenians will make you feel at home with their warm conversation and friendly attitude!
We know you are money wise. Can you give us any practical example of how you saved money on this trip?
Haha! Well, yes! I did my round of research before I booked my tours. My advice is to never go ahead with the tours your hotel offers unless you've done a price comparison with other hotels/local tour guides. The only way to be doubly sure that you aren't being overcharged is to befriend a local and check with them or simply have details collected from someone who has already been there. That way you easily save up a chunk, like I did.
What's the one thing you didn't like about the place?
Nothing at all. Loved everything about Yerevan.
What was the yummiest dish you tried?
From the never-ending affair with the Armenian palate, if there was one dish I carried back home along with the memories of how traditionally it was made, it was the staple bread of Armenia called Lavash and a block of home-made rich cheese! A humble combination indeed!
Make sure you try the Armenian snickers known as Churchkela for a new experience of munching on fresh nuts covered in dried fruit juices. Drool!
Is there anything unique you noticed about the culture of Armenia?
I noticed that Armenians, in general, are very patriotic and still have immense pain when they talk about their history and the unfortunate events their country had to fight. They even have a melancholic music played as a tribute to all those hurtful incidents using a woodwind flute called Duduk, made of apricot wood. I witnessed this at the historical Temple of Garni.
By Neetu George