From the left: Tsovinar's dad, yours truly, Hasmik, Mariam, a semi-famous Armenian writer, Astghik, Zorik (Toma's brother), and some dude whose name escapes me, sorry man.

Tsovinar giving us a tour of her town

A seventh century church in Ashtarak. Very representative of Armenian churches: small, shaped like a cross, simple, friendly and cosy inside.

Someone told me that Armenian churches are designed in such a way that when you enter you automatically go to the centre, and look up.

Saying a short prayer while lighting a candle is customary. Money from the sales of candles goes to maintaining the church.

The town of Ashtarak. Bottom right is an old mill, in the middle is a 17th century bridge over the river Kasagh

I belive this is the church of the Armenian patron saint of lovers. Legend has it that if you perform a little ritual on his day, the face of the person you will marry will come to you in your dreams.

Sourb Sargis church in the background

Hasmik standing below the old bridge in Ashtarak. There is a legend about this bridge, something about it collapsing repeatedly while it was getting built, until the townspeople enlisted a group of virgins to help them out. I forgot the exact details, sorry Hasmik

The old wheel inside Ashtarak's mill

A pittoresque little spot

Hasmik is collecting another legend from Tsovinar's father.