365 and Counting

I've been in Armenia for over a year now. Here are some more pics of Ijevan and the surrounding area.

This is Goshavank Monestary. It is located just south of Ijevan. It was built in the 12th century. It is home to one of the finest, if not the finest, Khachkar in the world.

This is the famous Khachkar of Goshavank. It was carved in 1291 by the artist Poghos. It is commonly referred to as the "Needle" Khachkar because of how fine the carvings are.

This is Aghavnavank Church. It is located deep inside of one of Armenia's few forest reserves. It was built in the 11th century. It is in major need of revovations if it is to be preserved.

This is a tomb that was discovered in a school yard when the principal decided to do some illegal renovations. The tomb is over 3,000 years old and contained many intact pots, bones, jewelry, and a beautiful sword.

This is Mkaravank. It is a church complex. The first church (small one in the back) was built in the 11th century. The larger church (in the foreground) was built in the 13th century.

These are just a few of the khachkars at Mkaravank.

I was in Ijevan to celebrate Victory Day. Victory Day is the holiday that celebrates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. All of these guys fought for the Soviet Army during WWII.

As part of the Victory Day celebration, almost everyone in Ijevan marched to the WWII Memorial to place flowers and listen to speeches.

My sitemates, Andy and Nicole, and I on a hike. The abandoned ferris wheel is behind us.

Elodie (a French volunteer in Ijevan), Andy, and me sitting by the part of our river that is not filled with garbage.

This is my friend David at his birthday celebration. If it wasn't for David, I would not have seen as many of the cool ruins/churches/excavations around Ijevan.

This is Armen. He has tutored me in Armenian a lot, but most importantly he invites me over to his house to watch NFL and NBA games all the time. He is moving to New Mexico in August to get his master's degree. Those of you in New Mexico will for sure meet him when I come back.

The Ijevan crew making a hybrid Armenian/American meal, barbecue chicken and grilled vegetables.

As American as I could get. Jack Daniels, a cigar, and apple pie with vanilla ice cream. Seal Team 6 did something on this day.