Marriott Armenia

Marriott Armenia- Another one of the iconic places in Yerevan that I just had to see. It's the one hotel that everyone knows about and everyone wants to be see in. I must say I dislike the Marriott chain worldwide, but of course I had to go see it here.

It's a bit overrated, and much smaller than I imagined it to be. But it did make me feel like being on vacation when I saw the tour buses outside, with groups of foreign tourists emerging from them. 

The hotel has good customer service and looks like any other European hotel- I just think it's reputation precedes it. The Italian restaurant-Cucina- is located on the second floor, with a great view of the Hraparak from the restaurant windows. The restaurant itself is very homey looking, and the waiters even multitask as Italian singers. It's a nice effect. The food was nothing to write home about. Typical Italian with pizza and pasta. A bit overpriced for the quality but all in all it was a nice, relaxing place to have dinner.

(Images from top: The Marriott exterior, the interior of Cucina, yours truly with some Chilean wine-weird right?,  our singing waiter- who would randomly break out singing to the Italian soundtrack, Melody and her bruschetta, Melody and yours truly, more me- check out the view behind me, gapo and I, my pasta arrabiatta,  in the lobby of the hotel).

Civilitas

I've been here for a  month already but I haven't written much about where I work, so I thought it was time to do so. Birthright has placed me at the Civilitas Foundation- a new organization started by the former foreign minister of Armenia. 

I think we occupy one on the most beautiful offices in all of Armenia. Our location on Northern Ave. provides access to everything in the center of Yerevan. Our views of the city are absolutely breathtaking, and the art in our office is to die for. 

The Foundation has several different initiatives including a rural economic development program, a council on foreign relations, and various other projects. Essentially we try to figure out what the problems or Armenia are and what  the most efficient way is to go about fixing them.

My co-workers are a group of very well-educated young women who work really hard, yet create a fun work environment. They made me feel really welcome right from the beginning. We've also got a wonderful director who runs the office with her superb wit and quick thinking. Everyone here is really very intelligent-all with a strong work ethic. It's a great environment....

(Images from top: Bella at the window, Anita at the reception desk, Marine and Sona-look at our art, Sona Marine and Anita organizing books, Sona Marine and Anita advertising Mr.Oskanian's new book, Marine our ice cream girl in the kitchen, Sona and yours truly on the balcony, getting a hug from Sona-so much love, more posing on the balcony-check out our view)!

Happy Birthday Aida!

I am going to use this space for a non-Armenia related post...

April 29, 2009

 

Happy Birthday Mother Dear!!!

I really miss you....

Shirvan

Being on the border with Iran, you would think Armenia would have lots of Persian restaurants...but surprisingly they are few and far between. I think the best one in the city is Shirvan. It's a small, underground place decorated in classical Middle Eastern style, with carpets on the walls, low lighting, and hookahs all around. It's a small, intimate place with great service(they burned the cd that was playing in the background for us because Melody wanted a copy-how nice is that), and good Persian food. It's no Raffis, but it's good...

(Images from top: the exterior of Shirvan-right next to a carpet store, Gapo and Jennifer-always posing, Ellen and yours truly-more posing, the horrible hookah, the food).

Armenian Drama

So far I've been very impressed with the cultural offerings of Yerevan- the museums are really great here, everything is beautifully preserved and displayed, from the National Art Gallery to smaller endeavors like independent art shows. People enjoy culture here. It is a statistical fact that, compared to its population, the city of Yerevan has the most cultural outlets available- compared to all of the cities in the former Soviet Union. That's why I was so looking forward to seeing a play here. Once again, I was quite impressed. 

The play was a piece by the famous Armenian dramatist Shirvanzade- entitled Patvi Hamar (for honor). I read the play in high school and it has always been one of my favorites. The Sundukian theatre did not disappoint. It was quite a large production with loud music, elaborate costumes, choreography, and a beautiful set. Back in LA, most plays try to be as realistic as possible. But here it was the complete opposite, the drama was over the top and it was great. The costumes and set were elaborate as could be with gold leather gowns, face masks, feathers, hats, and fire. On top of all that, the actors screamed and cried their hearts out. 

The funny thing about being there is that it felt like I was at the Alex theatre in Glendale. I say this because where else do you go where the audience is all Armenian. I know, I know I'm in Armenia, but it strangely felt like being back home. Another interesting thing about the  play was our reaction to it. As spyurkahays, it's only natural that we react differently from the locals; but, the funny thing is that we all reacted differently from each other. We went with four people. We are four Armenians from LA, who grew in a more or less similar environment yet we reacted so differently to it: yours truly loved it, another one of us thought it was alright, and the other two absolutely hated it because it reminded them of a bad soap opera. Interesting right? What can I say, "chashakin enger chka!"

(Images from top: Armen Melody and Paulene inside the Sundukian theatre, the crowd, more crowd, the sexy gladiator women, the main cast).

Party-Armenian Style

This is going to be a short post. Party at my house. Food, drinks, music (lots of Tata) and dancing. The pictures speak for themselves...