Went for a drive this weekend outside of Yerevan. After a day of snowing, the sky was bright and clear and freezing cold. We stopped off at Garni, a pagan temple, that survived the ravages of invasions and occupations only to be knocked over by an earthquake. Restoration was done and a pretty good job too. Next up was Geghard Monastry which literally sends chill down your spine.When the winds howls through there you'd better be sure that you have no gaps in your pants, pockets, sleeves etc. Geghard is famous for having housed the lance that wounded Christ on the cross. Pretty impressive as its been hewn from the rock and the acoustics are phenomenal. Obviously it has attracted many folk who hope their wishes come true as they toss stones into little caveties in the rock, tie pieces of cloth to trees and make many wishes, hoping the significane of the place rubs off in the form of a winning lottery ticket, great wife or husband and the like. Got treated to my friends singing in the oldest chamber and it was a real treat--sounding like a full choir with just two voices. Amazing! We then thundered home in a little Moskowitch, avoiding the potholes and slushy snow draining across the road. At times the road seemed only wide enough for one car as we carreened down the mountain back to Yerevan. We just made it when the right brake started smoking from the strain. Well, we stopped the car in what must be the safest block in the entire Yerevan, opposite the KGB building. It is rumoured to be the tallest building in the whole of the city, with more floors below the surface than above. No one rushed to our assistance though, which maybe a relief.
