Getting to Armenia

Our plane flights (Columbus to Detroit to Paris to Yerevan) were uneventful which means good.  All were on time with minimal layerover - less than an hour in Detroit, and two hours in Paris.  Our one surprise was a pleasant one.  We had thought, since it was a night flight, that we would only be getting a snack and breakfast on the leg to Paris but we got both dinner and breakfast.  Food is always good, even airplane food.

Unfortunately for much of the flights it was either nighttime or there was a heavy cloud cover, so we didn't get to see much from the air. As we descended below cloud cover on our way into Paris I was a bit surprised how open the country was as we approached the city.  Charles De Gaulle Airport is somewhere around 15 miles from the center of Paris.  Yet as we were making our descent it was all farms and forests until the last few miles.  Shows how much I know!  On our Paris-Yerevan leg we did get some spectacular views of what we assumed were the German Alps from the air.

Upon landing in Yerevan (9:30pm local time, 12:30 pm Columbus time) we got through customs in less than 10 minutes.  Getting our visas ahead of time eliminated having to go through that line, saving probably 15 or 20 minutes.  Neil took longer than I did which he attributed to the agent's seeing his old Azerbaijan stamps and giving his passport a closer scrutiny.

We were then met by Karen and Arevik, two of Neil's contacts at ArdshininvestBank.  As Neil mentioned in his blog, due to a mixup in am/pm, it was the second time they had come to the airport that day.  Way to ruin a day off for them.  They are both lovely people, greeting Neil like a long lost friend.  Upon arriving at our hotel, Arevik insisted they come in with us as she wanted to be certain that our reservation was in order before leaving us.

Our bell hop gave me a smile.  His English was flawless with no trace of an accent, and he spoke and moved so rapidly, I thought I was in back in New York.

Our room is small but adequate and has the advantage of being on a corner.  After unpacking we had a quick dinner at the hotel and turned in for the night.  I was exhausted, but since the stupid mind still thought it was mid afternoon, I wasn't able to fall asleep until sometime between three and four in the morning.  Neil being Neil was sleeping peacefully within five minutes of his head hitting the pillow.  I managed not to wring his neck!

Getting ready to go

It's the day before we leave and, wonder of wonders, I'm just about ready.  Read a couple of tour books, got my shots, got my visa and finally got around to packing.

The packing had me in a minor tizzy.  Between more than likely not having access to a laundromat (they don't seem to exist there), going at a time of year when the weather is so unpredictable, and being too cheap to pay airline baggage fees, I wasn't sure I could fit clothing for three weeks in a single bag.  I underestimated myself.  It wasn't that hard.

Fortunately our flight isn't until early evening so I have plenty of time tomorrow to think of all the things I have forgotten.   :)

Actually preparation-wise this is the nicest trip I have ever taken.  Usually when Neil and I (or in years past - Neil and I and the kids) travel together, I am the one who does the planning, makes reservations, etc. Then I worry about making sure everyone has a good time.  This time I have done virtually nothing.  Since I am a virtual newbie when it comes to international travel, I am relying totally on Neil.

Ordinarily I would be panicked about where to go to pick up my visa, dealing with customs, how to find my way from the airport to the hotel, how to check into my room if no one spoke English, where to go to exchange money, wondering if I would get ripped off on the exchange rates . . . You get the picture.

Instead I'm going to sit back and let Neil do it.  After all, he's the experienced traveler.  He knows what he's doing and he's been there before.  My only mission is to enjoy myself!!!!!!!!!!!!