Cavorting in the Caucasus: Mount Aragats

I don't know. I felt like I had to go and hike (if not summit) the tallest mountain in Armenia. After all, there is a day trip that does exactly like that, so why shouldn't I join? I saw this place together with Amberd Fortress. It was rather remote, and sure enough, I would not want to think what would happen if our bus broke down.



Getting there was already a hike. It took us at least one hour to be here, and the scenery that was passing right by us outside the window of the bus was not-to-mention spectacular. It was a little cold; some of the people who were with me who were just wearing a shirt were chilled a little bit. I on the other hand didn't mind it, even though I had a jacket as well. I guess I was already used to the cold weather I experienced for 7 years in Buffalo.



There is a lake near the top. There is also a restaurant, although we didn't get food here. I wonder if this is the restaurant that sells khash all year round. Khash is this apparently gross-tasting Armenian dish that can only be eaten if you have vodka with you, and is constantly swallowing it. Speaking of vodka, I was actually drunk when I did this trek. Before this, we visited a nomadic Yezidi family that lives on the slopes of Mount Aragats. And because Armenians are very hospitable, this occasion was no exception. I made the mistake of sitting at the chair right next to their kitchen table, and so they offered me food and vodka to drink. I was given a shot glass, they filled it, and toast! Bottoms up! Every time I try to stand and move away, they tell me to sit, and my shot glass was filled yet again. That happened about 4 times, so when we finally left their tent, I was already drunk. That was the state I was in when we did this trek. Very dangerous.



Anyway, I survived. I survived to take these photos and show it here. It was beautiful, perhaps not the most spectacular, but beautiful nonetheless. Armenia is a very mountainous country, and it would be a pity to visit it and not explore what its outdoor wonders have to offer to the visitor. I definitely would love to come back again, as there are plenty of other pockets within the country that I haven't even touched.