People in Armenia love to dance...It doesn't matter what type of music they are dancing to- armenian, salsa, karaoke, hip-hop, trance, or anything else- as long as it's music. I guess that's why there are so many types of clubs in such a relatively small city. Dancing is in the blood...
So our first "Western style" club experience was at Aftershock Republic. Try telling that name to a taxi driver:
Diana: Mez ke tanek Sarynai vra, teghe kochvum a Aftershock republic (Can you please take us to Saryan street, the name of the place is Aftershock republic)?
Taxi Driver: Axchik jan inch? Du hayeren ches khosum (What is it? Don't you speak Armenian)
Diana: Ayo khosum em, baits tegi anune eta (Yes I do speak Armenian, but that is the name of the place).
Taxi Driver: Incha? (What is it?)
Diana: Gitek vor yerkrasharj a linum(and the entire taxi bursts into laughter), yev dranits heto aveli pokr a khupum, uremn anune eta (You know after there is an earthquake, there are smaller tremors afterward- well that is what the name means).
Taxi Driver: Vai axchik jan....
To his credit, we did circle around the block a few times before we finally found the place, and it was opening night for this particular club. It was interesting to be in there on opening night- kind of felt like Paris Hilton getting in.
It was very very Western, with mojitos and margaritas- which looked and tasted like what they are supposed to look like. There was a house DJ, and most importantly no mirrors. I was really disappointed that the club had no mirrors- that's what I was looking forward to the most. For those readers who do not know what I'm talking about-in Armenia the dance clubs have mirrors all over the walls and women stand in front of them and dance with themselves. It really has to be seen to be believed. Once you see it one time you have this weird desire to see it again. It's like looking at a train wreck. I did see a few guys dancing with pillars though (I kid you not!!!)
Anyway, there were no mirrors, but they did have great cocktails and decent music. It felt like we were back in LA on Sunset Blvd....But one thing you probably won't get on Sunset Blvd is budding artists trying to sell you their work outside of a club. This young kid, Karen, approaches me and tells me that he is selling his artwork in order to raise money to buy a computer (and tonight is the last night he will be selling so I should get them while they are still available). I'm such a sucker sometimes. Enough to say, I went home with Karen's art that night...
(Images from top: Armen on the phone trying to figure out how to get us into the club, Armen and Melody posing for the cameras, Birthrighter's and locals dancing it up, Ani and I sneaking a picture, intellectual conversations take place in clubs too -exhibit Armen and one of his local friends having a moment, Armen and Paulene enjoying the music, my artist friend and I)
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