Independence Day!

Today is Independence Day in Armenia!

I’m going off to the parade, which is at 10 in Republic Square. It should be massive fun. After that I am not sure what my plans are, probably to visit museums in the city center.

Yesterday I mailed 30 postcards (9,000 dram) to points in Europe and North America. I wrote most of them in the space of one or two hours yesterday, although a few date from Tuesday evening. I apologize in advance if they seem shallow or boring, but honestly I was starting to get cramps in my hand toward the end. I was in a rush because I am guessing that the post office will be closed today, and then tomorrow (Friday) is a travel day leaving me with only the weekend to find a post office in the city of Vanadzor.

I also, yesterday, followed the Lonely Planet Walking Tour of Yerevan. The first segment was estimated to take “90 Minutes.” Suffice it to say that 4.5 hours later, I staggered into Opera Square having skipped two of the suggested Museums. I did add, of my own choice, a 45 minute detour to see the Mother Armenia statue and its military museum, but had I skipped that, I see no possible way to complete the suggested walk in 90 minutes unless you are doing it without actually seeing anything.

I slept quite well last night.