Week 2, Tuesday - Finding a place to eat can be a problem

We left the hotel about 9:30 this morning to search for a place to have breakfast. This is more of a problem than one would think. First, we did not want a hotel breakfast. Second, for most Armenians breakfast is a very simple meal and so they do not normally eat breakfast out. Third, most businesses do not open until after ten.

After passing through Republic Square we headed up Abovian Street knowing that if we found nothing else that Artbridge, where I'd eaten several times before, would be open. After just a block we saw a women sweeping the front sidewalk of a small cafe that appeared to be open. There were no customers in view, but 'open' is one of the few Armenian words I know.  I looked for the open sign and there it was.

After a breakfast of coffee and omelets, we decided to visit The Cathedral of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. You may recall that we'd intended to do that yesterday but never did make it do to an impromptu and unintended walk around the block.

This time we made it. The day was crisp, sunny and very clear and as we started up the walk to the cathedral, Neil noticed that for the first time this visit Mount Ararat was clearly visible. About thirty miles away and over the border in Turkey, it seemed to be hovering over the skyline of Yerevan.

After tearing our eyes away from Ararat we continued up the path to the cathedral. Neil, who had seen several other churches during his last visit, was struck by the simplicity of Saint Gregory's compared to other churchs here. Why this is so, we have no answer.

We continue our stroll along the Green Belt meandering our way back to the hotel where Neil completes some final preparations for his class.

Soon after Neil returns from the bank we head out in search of dinner. I had seen a good review of a restaurant that intrigued me. Well it seems the reviewer was the only one who liked it because when we arrive at the address given for the restaurant we see that it had closed.

Since I was somewhat tired even before leaving the hotel, I did not feel like wandering about to look for another restaurant. Neil graciously agrees to a pizza at our hotel. Once again the Pizza Diavola is wonderful and we follow it with dessert. Assorted ice creams topped with fruit for Neil and an apple tart with ice cream for me.

Back in our room, I turn on television for some background noise as I write this post. There are three news stations in English and my news program of choice is France24. I've yet to understand why a French program broadcasting in Armenia is in English. Life is just full of these little curiosities, is it not?

This weekend our hosts will be taking us out Saturday and Sunday for a tour of Armenia. I am touched that they are willing to give up both days with their respective families. Neil tells me Karen is making plans for where we will go. For some unknown reason, I have been given veto power over any of the plans. I shall not use my veto as I am certain his plans will be nothing short of wonderful.

In yet another example of their never ending hospitality and kindness, I learned today that some combination of Arevik, Karen, and/or Frants walks Neil from the bank to the hotel every evening.  Somehow I don't think they fear he will get lost on the two block walk. Truly a special group of people.