The origins of armenian christianity

Although the site leading to the origins of christianity in Armenia (the first nation ever to adopt the christian belief as state religion - although there was some ME city where it was the official religion before this) , Khor Virap monastery is very popular among visitors, monuments depicting the legend are rare. This stèle in talin is an exception.

To see a bigger version of the picture, click:

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Armenia/photo508848.htm

Lenin 89 years after

The 89th anniversary of the Bolshevik revolution brought me on Lenin. There are not much statues left in Armenia, but there is one village (Lernamerdz - I never was there) where the tradition is still very much alive.
But last summer a taxidriver showed us this one left over in Gyumri (formerly Leninakan), where no-one is taking care of it.

Meer foto's van Armenia (ook van anderen) op

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Asia/Armenia/

a first

Armenia is top of the world for the part of the male population smoking, 70% ! And the differences in smoking rates between sexes is also greatest on earth, only 3% of the female population smokes (source National Geographic). This difference tells something about the culture ...
My close friend Arsen is no exception, but he poses willingly.