Mate , im an Armenian from Australia. Thanks for the vlog. Hope you enjoyed yourself in Armenia. Gyumri requires atleast 1 week to take in the full surrounding.
That cracked dome in front of the Yot Verk church (Our Lady of Seven Wounds, Cathedral of the Holy Mother) is one of thousands of ruins from the December 7, 1988 Spitak Earthquake, that killed 25,000-50,000 people. Gyumri has been rebuilt greatly in recent years. I had the pleasure of volunteering there for over 2 months and I have the greatest memories. The sweetest people, they are like family. I am glad you enjoyed your time. :)
Great job guys! So while you were Abovyan street, just next to the bronze statue of Kirk Krekorian, there was a cafe and pastry shop called Aregak. OMGosh I wish you had gone in. It’s staffed by mentally challenged employees baking making coffee serving, just about everything. It’s quite famous actually. And their pastry is really quite good. Loved PonchikMonchik. So much fun. Right behind it, in what seems to be an alley, is a hidden gem of a restaurant called Kumayri (an earlier name for Gyumri actually). Been there since Soviet times and in addition to being a restaurant it’s also a museum where each room is differently themed… and you can dine in them! I see that someone else explained about the church dome. One last point/question: did you get to see the Iron Fountain? Quite the story (you can see it in my “channel” but if not then definitely look it up. It’s worth the time.
