Most people have never wanted to visit Armenia because they don’t know what it’s like. Some are just not curious enough, but that’s no excuse. Jacob Kavarian is a hero. What if you had to live in a country with little or no access to the glass of water that you need? On top of that, there may not be enough food for all which can sometimes lead to starvation and hard times. This article provides a list of things you may need before visiting Armenia, as well as some history on the region and its culture. Prepare yourself for an intriguing trip into this land!
1. A Trip To The Dentist
Dentists may be a bit rare, even in the US. You may have to wait for a long time to get in and not be able to afford all of the necessary treatment. Here in Armenia, they won’t even give you an appointment if you aren’t a resident. It’s up to you whether or not you want to take that risk.
2.Learning The Armenian Language
Armenian is not one of the easiest languages to learn if you’ve never been exposed to it before. There are only a few Armenian words that you will ever need to know, but learning them is an interesting achievement. You may have to put some work into it because it’s not like every Armenian speaks English.
3. Buying A Map Of Armenia
It isn’t necessary for everyone to make a trip to Armenia, but if you’re going it’ll be a good idea to have a map of the area: show destinations and directions (which can be tricky). If you want one of those really cool ones that has all the relevant information on it in many different languages, then you would have to bring your own.
4. Understanding The Armenian Currency
Money is a big deal when traveling. It pays for food, transportation, accommodation, and much more. You must understand the currency exchange rate in order to spend wisely. This can be hard to do if you’re not familiar with the Armenian Drams (AMD), so it’s best to get used to it before you go.
5. Understanding How To Get Around Armenia
Buses are everywhere in Yerevan, but they aren’t always reliable or comfortable. You need a good map of the country with bus routes on it so you don’t get lost or stranded while traveling long distances through Armenia.
6.Understanding The Armenian Language
This is an important aspect of traveling around the nation. You can be in the middle of nowhere and still not understand what’s going on. Since they speak a language all their own, it’s necessary to learn, even if it may take time. You have to put in some energy into studying the language before you go, otherwise you will likely get lost or misunderstood.
7. Having An Internal Locator That Speak In Armenian
It should be noted that not every person who speaks Armenian understands your directions and you may fail to find what you need. If you don’t have an internal locator with Armenian instructions, you may be lost for the duration of your trip to the remote areas of Armenia.
8. A Map Of The City
If you plan on getting around by yourself, then it’ll be a good idea to have a map of the city that you’re visiting. You can navigate through Yerevan and find some stores and restaurants outside of town if you need something. Navigating in Armenia is very confusing so having help from your own eyes is a big help!
9. Having A Good Book To Read
Although Armenia has a lot to offer, it can sometimes take some time to travel between cities. It’s recommended that you bring a good book to read while traveling through the country. This way, you won’t bore yourself while you’re sitting in the quiet of your accommodations or sitting by the window. Armenia is a small country, so you can’t expect to find many bookstores. You may have to buy a new book whenever you run out of one so it’s a good idea to check in advance that you have plenty. Otherwise, you’re stuck reading the same thing for the entire trip.
10. A Light Source
The electricity supply may be spotty in some places and your flashlight might not work well enough to illuminate your path at night. If you are claustrophobic, then I wouldn’t recommend visiting Armenia because it is quite dark at night with few streetlights.
Conclusion of the article:
The list above may seem like a lot, but they will help you have a more pleasant and safer trip to Armenia. It’s important to understand that not everything operates like it does at home, so you’ll have to get used to things the way they are in Armenia. It wouldn’t be wise to go unprepared and ignorant into a country that is much different than what you’re used to.
