This is the presentation and slide notes for my BarCamp EVN'11 talk.




A certain person, who considers himself as ‘definitely not a geek’, inspired me to start writing a blog post about this, which was never finalized and published before this… but while i was trying to chose a presentation topic for this barcamp, and had two serious topics in mind, well… 2 days ago i had this “tadaaa” moment and that was it :) i’m here.

So .. well.. i have to say.. I’m a geek. A tech-savvy, gadgets dependent, spending tremendous amount of time being connected. There’s also a term – wired.




So i’ll be telling some insights on this topic from my own experience… a little bit spiced, however ;)

Just one thing before i start – you have to promise not to use any of these tips against me, okay?





These tips might be particularly useful for non-geeks as they give some perspective from an actual geek girl.

They will particularly work if the girl has some initial interest in you, or at least nothing against.
























3. Find her





















You know what games i mean :) don’t leave her uncertain about your feelings and intentons for a long while. She might get pissed and take some steps. Like writing a kinda pissedoff letter, then publishing it in her blog :)

I have already told about my passion for astronomy in my blog more than 2 years ago. This April 16 has been a very remarkable day for me. I had a tour in the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory. It was a press trip organized by the Armenian Astronomical Society (ArAS); a step for promoting science and journalists came for help :) [note: i'm not a journalist currently, but how could i resist not to go there, with the excuse that i work for a news organization... and am a blogger? :)]

here i'm actually outside (on the balcony) the biggest (2.6 m) telescope

The trip included several presentations about the Obeservatory and Victor Ambartsumyan, contemporary issues of astronomy, science journalism and more. They were held by Areg Mickaelian - the man who organized the trip (co-president of the ArAS) and Hayk Harutyunyan - the director of Byurakan Observatory.



We learnt some amazing facts (Gayane Mirzoyan has outlined some of them in her blog (Russian) about the observatory, the telescopes etc. Here's my pick:

• When first installed in 1976, the 2.6m telescope was the 7th in the world, now it's 45th... 


• Couple of years ago a small observatory was set up for educational purposes in Stepanakert, Artsakh Republic.


• A number of international astronomic conferences were held in Armenia throughout these years, 


• In 1964 and 1971 conferences on extraterrestrial civilizations were held in Byurakan Observatory. The meeting of 1971 was the first international symposium on the problem of Extraterrestrial Civilizations and Communication with Them.  Many prominent scientists, including astronomers, physicists, chemists, biologists, philosophers, and specialists of other related fields participated in the symposium.


• Victor Ambartsumyan has been promoting Armenian language within the science academy institutions and in his will he even wrote that "everybody, regardless the percentage of Armenian genes in their blood, should study and master the Armenian language" (source in Armenian).

Victor Ambartsumyan's desk

the amazing portrait by my former colleague William

After the presentations we had a tour in Ambartsumyan's house, which is now a museum. Then we went to see the pride of the observatory - the 2.6m telescope. I've been there couple of times by night and never seen it in the daylight. Turns out it was possible to get out to the balcony.

me and Gayane, to whom I am grateful for learning about the press tour

the group of the press tour

...........

When writing this post about a year ago, I could never imagine that I'll become one of the "ambassadors" of Foursquare in Armenia. Being an early adopter and a geek willing to try everything new, I'm somehow influential in the tech-related things among my friends and they often consult with me for new services and gadgets (like Kindle, Android phones, apps, tablets, geolocation services, etc).

Throughout last year, I made a presentation on Geolocation services and Foursquare during the BarCamp Yerevan 2010, appeared on Yerevan.ru promoting Foursquare, and Banadzev production's Interactive program, then my own PanARMENIAN.Net interviewed me about the meetup.



It somehow happened that I became the organizer of the annual Foursquare Day meetup in Yerevan (4sq Day).

Celebrated on April 16 of each year, Foursquare Day (4sqDay /4 squared = 16, hence 4/16!) is a chance to get out and connect with others in your neighborhood and around the world. 

I began following the official 4sqDay twitter, read the blog and howto's for organizers to make the most out of the meetup. I created a Facebook event, since it was easier to promote than the meetup page, in our case. I submitted the information about our meetup in the local meetups database. I also set up a Twitter account for coordination of our Foursquare activities in Yerevan - @4sqYerevan.

I also filled a form to request a swag from Foursquare, even though in order to receive it, we had to have 50 confirmed participants on the meetup.com page by April 4.

Couple of days ago parents called me in the afternoon to say that I've got a package delivery home from Fedex. Turns out it was full of Foursquare goodness! A huge banner, stickers, badges as buttons and other stuff.

By the way, Foursquare has been encouraging the meetup organizers to approach our city mayors and ask them to proclaim the April 16 an official Foursquare Day in our cities.

Today we learned that mayor Bloomberg Proclaims 4/16 as Foursquare Day in NYC!

Somehow we thought that it won't be possible in our case.. and could take forever to reach our mayor, but maybe we should try next year? ;)



In case you are interested to learn more about the Foursquare, there's no better chance than coming to the meetup on Saturday, April 16, 19:00 near Cascade.

71 people are already "Attending" according to the FB event and 38 people confirmed participation on Meetup page.



If at least 50 people check in at the same place around the same time, everybody will get the "Swarm" badge for the first time in Armenia! and of course, the special 4sq day 2011 badge too.

• Confirm your participation on the meetup page: http://www.meetup.com/foursquare/Yerevan-AM/88180/


• RVSP on the FB event: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=200849073282283


• Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/4sqYerevan and the hashtag #4sqDay.

there were 2 "4SQ Day" t-shirts in the package and i reserved one for myself:) who wants the 2nd one?

I've got 10 theories. Pick one or more that suit you and the reality the most.



1. you're an ass, that's it. a big fat ass and nothing more

2. you hate me and try all the small stupid tricks just to let me know about it

3. I'm just a dumb little thing making a big story out of that just one unreplied email, one stupid Sunday evening, one clearly harmless "missing in action" thing from that day in the cafe and a stupid chat message on the stupid March 8 day and I've annoyed the hell out of you already!

4. you're awfully too busy to drop me a line that you are, in fact, busy, and we may reschedule the things we needed to discuss for next month/year

5. you heard somewhere that i bite and kick asses of men and decided that you better ignore me than be beaten up by some geek chick

6. you feel that you've been an ass not to notify me that you are busy when you were supposed to, then you had a sorta guilt feeling and decided to avoid me and the topic whatsoever until we both remember it when we accidentally meet again in few years

7. you had a strange dream and woke up feeling that I have some hots for you,  and I'll be chasing you all around and decided that you better avoid the whole story in a gentle ignoring way since you're just not into me

8. you know that you were supposed to let me know that you're not coming and you were kinda sorta very busy these couple of weeks and were actually going to write me.. just now! but I was quicker..

9. you feel oppressed and miserable when talking to me since I'm so much informed in some things that it makes you feel like a loser. and unless i dye my hair blonde and erase half of my brain's hard drive, I will you make feel like some douchebag everytime you communicate with me

10. you are reading this thinking WTF! since you've sent me several text messages, called few times, wrote on FB, commented on my foursquare checkins and got not response. must be that it's me ignoring you.



Action Items

• if you feel that theories #1, #2 are more like you, then you should probably just ignore this message as well and we'll both live happily ever after and hopefully never see each other again.


• if you feel that #5, #9 are closer to the truth then you have some clear problems with confidence and your feminine hormones are just overwhelming you right now and I better leave you alone dealing with this, not to make it worse. just forget, ok?


• you're convinced that #3 is the case and oh, I'm a drama queen ya know.. I think I need some assistance here.. any chance you know a good shrink? [let's rule PMS out, not the case :)]


• If #4 and #6 are close to reality, then it's better that we really flush all this story out to the toilet and go back to the day when you added me on foursquare or I friended you on FB and leave it as it was before. no reply needed to this obviously stupid message.


• #7 Here I'd only say - "Duuuude, you're so not my type.. so calm down, it's just business and maybe I was that stupid to suppose that we could somehow be friends", well sorry to disappoint you then. I'd recommend you reading the following 'cry of my heart'.


• if you feel that theories #8 and #10 are more like you, then you can come and talk to me this Sunday, 2pm at *****. no need to write a reply or anything.  

**If you feel that I've gotten too far writing this smartass message and forgot to mention THE OBVIOUS, which shows you completely guilt-free and me (and my imagination) the sole reason for everything, then again you should probably come join me on Sunday and make me blush and cry and beg your pardon on my knees.

What was this?

my friend got an Android phone and is slowly becoming a geek. there has been some social media miscommunication between us since then. of course social networks made it easier to reconnect, however between all the Likes, Comments, Check-ins, comments on Check-ins, text messages, chat conversations, etcetera we kind of lost contact and it was actually harder to keep in touch :-D



at some point I got confused, as I didn't hear from him for a while. Since i had no clue what was happening with him and I was worried, i decided to let him know about it and at least get his attention :)

* I'm publishing the letter with some modification and with his permission :)





So, if you were him, would you go? :)

Նրանք, ովքեր այցելել են մեր տուն վերջին մի տասը տարվա ընթացքում, գրասեղանիս վերևում տեսել են այս դիպլոմը: Իսկ մնացածը կարող են տեսնել այստեղ`



Ի հեճուկս Արթուր Պողոսյանի, այս մեկն իրական է, ստացել եմ Նիդեռլանդներում, որտեղ 9 տարեկանում մի ամիս ապրում էի: Հա, ու ես էլ մանկուց աստղագիտություն շատ էի սիրում ու Գագարինը իմ հերոսն էր :)

Winter has gone for good and seems like I've survived it! The sun was turned ON as the calendar spring started on March 1 and me, the solar-battery-powered being, has been recharging quite successfully these days.



Finally had some thoughts I decided to share with my blog's readers...



I've been thinking that it would be good to have more people around me that actually care for me rather than needing my knowledge, connections or stuff like that. Every day I get emails/messages/calls asking for information or some kind of assistance and I'm gladly satisfying them within my capacity. I'm one of those pathetic beings that have hard time saying "no" and tend to put others' interests above own convenience and needs. That's how I'm programmed and I can't do anything with that. It's being very stressful, however, to notice how some people take advantage of it, sometimes maybe unwillingly.

Sometimes, with this struggle to help those who need me for business, I neglect those who truly need me in a more emotional kind of way. There might be people who need to talk to me, share and discuss things, just see me... they might think I'm so busy that I can't be spending time with them and so never approach me for that less serious stuff. If you identified yourself with this - I'm truly sorry.



I do really really really need to feel that there are people who like me and care for me and could just call in the middle of the night to hear my voice. Or just ask for a meeting just for the sake of seeing each other, and not discussing business.



Sometimes I'm meeting people whom I need in this emotional kind of way because obviously there are things that bother me and I'd like to tell them to someone and ask opinions.. It occasionally happens that I'm meeting a new person and I feel I could tell my life's story to them, but what happens in reality is that I can't even get a chance to meet them in person.

Here I'm usually becoming a victim of those "games we play"  and stereotypes and can't just explain people why I need them, because what it's turning to be according to them is - that I'm fallen for them :) this kinda sucks.



I want more people sharing their knowledge, discussing things and daily learning with me.





I need more smart, meaningful and beautiful people around me, because that actually affects me, what I'm becoming!



I don't want you to have an impression that I have lack of friends or that I have any kind of problems with them :) I do have many friends and I love them all. Even those whom I haven't communicated to for ages and those who usually need me for fixing their computer related problems.



I have several amazing people around me that are always there for me and this I appreciate greatly.

Most of these people receive long emails from me from time to time (usually on new years eve) and sometimes I can't keep it to myself how I love each of them. I put aside my shyness and turn the sincereness mode on the maximum level and use my writing skills to tell what I can't express otherwise.

While I was reviewing my 2010, I happily concluded that the Kindle was one of my best acquisitions of the year. Thanks to it, I read so many books, I wouldn't normally read due to my stirring life. However with some geeky touch - it became possible!



One of the most notable books I've read during summer was the "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk. It was an awesome read.

Actually, I've been hesitating whether I should confess this embarrassing fact, but to be fair I will. I hadn't seen the movie... till last month. But I love the fact that I saw it after reading the book and that the movie was cooler than the book. Even the author Palahniuk has stated that he found the film to be an improvement on his novel.



At first, I was unsure if it was a right choice for me to read this book. I'm generally against violence and I hate watching that kind of movies, and especially reading about it. I prefer to get some positive emotions from those things I occupy myself to give my brain some rest. But the book got me thinking about lots of stuff and even affected some of my beliefs. This is a cult movie indeed. It contained a great amount of notable quotes that were carefully copied with my Kindle's "Notes" feature :) Here are my favorite ones. I'd bold almost every quote here.

this 'warning' flashes in the DVD version of the movie before the FBI warning

"This is how it is with insomnia. Everything is so far away, a copy of a copy of a copy. The insomnia distance of everything, you can't touch anything and nothing can touch you."

I loved the part when the author was describing why they were attending the various support groups.

"I never went back to the doctor. I never chewed the valerian root. This was freedom. Losing all hope was freedom. If I didn't say anything, people in a group assumed the worst. They cried harder. I cried harder. Look up into the stars and you're gone."

...

"Marla's eyes narrow. She never dreamed she could feel so 'smarvelous. She actually felt alive. Her skin was clearing up. All her life, she never saw a dead person. There was no real sense of life because she had nothing to contrast it with. Oh, but now there was dying and death and loss and grief. Weeping and shuddering, terror and remorse. Now that she knows where we're all going, Marla feels every moment of her life."

"Marla's philosophy of life, she told me, is that she can die at any moment. The tragedy of her life is that she doesn't".

About perfection

"Sometimes, you wake up and have to ask where you are. What Tyler had created was the shadow of a giant hand. Only now the fingers were Nosferatu-long and the thumb was too short, but he said how at exactly four-thirty the hand was perfect. The giant shadow hand was perfect for one minute, and for one perfect minute Tyler had sat in the palm of a perfection he'd created himself. You wake up and you're nowhere. One minute was enough, Tyler said, a person had to work hard for it. A moment was the most you could ever expect from perfection. You wake up, and that's enough."

...

"If you don't know what you want, you end up with a lot you don't

May I never be complete.

May I never be content.

May I never be perfect."

...

"You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake. You are the same decaying organic matter as everyone else, and we are all a part of the same compost pile."

...

"Nothing was solved when the fight was over, but nothing mattered."

...

"I'm breaking my attachment to physical power and possessions, because only through destroying myself can I discover the greater power of my spirit".

...

"Its only when you've lost everything, that your free to do anything."

by ~theWickeDesign

I was thrilled by the scene with the supermarket guy (in the book it was in a bus). Here's the big quote from the book, better to read it entirely or watch the scene from the movie see below)

"Raymond K. K. Hessel, your dinner is going to taste better than any meal you’ve ever eaten, and tomorrow will be the most beautiful day of your entire life."

Here is the actual movie scene in Italian, in case ))



My sweetheart Jared Leto has a small role as "Angel Face". His character gets terribly beaten by the "Narrator" and the following line just made me think. A lot.

I felt like destroying something beautiful. 

Here are some wonderful animations - kinetic typography videos made with some epic moments from the Fight Club.

“Man, I see in fight club the strongest and smartest men who’ve ever lived. I see all this potential, and I see squandering. God damn it, an entire generation pumping gas, waiting tables; slaves with white collars. Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don’t need. We’re the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no Great War. No Great Depression. Our Great War’s a spiritual war… our Great Depression is our lives. We’ve all been raised on television to believe that one day we’d all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won’t. And we’re slowly learning that fact. And we’re very, very pissed off.” — Tyler Durden

Yeah, and I have to mention that I'm now pretty terrified after realizing how restaurant waiters can mess with the food :(



in case you want more quotes. Here's a fair collection on wikiquotes.

You may read the first post about the trip here, and the beginning of the post about Artsakh here.



Here I will show the images from Vank village and nearby locations. I was really very surprised to see things like that in Artsakh and my friends too, when they saw the photos, were amazed by the creativity of those architects and designers out there.



So, after visiting the wonderful Gandzasar Monastery we went down the hill and continued by the road further. There was this very original rest house named "Sea Stone" that... well, better watch it yourself.

the rest house, general view

these interesting creations are the first to impress

"single" view

view from the back

sunbath

a totally wrong posing with this statue

the peeing mermen

closer look to the mermen (male mermaids)

look at his face expression

details of the exterior.. nose, brains, eyes, mouth...

Today I spent about 5 hours wandering on the streets of my byuuutiful festive Yerevan, doing my favorite money-spending activities: shopping for wearables and gifts. At first I was by myself, but I didn't feel alone, since I incidentally met dozen of friends on streets and inside stores. Some of them joined me for several stops. Others were following the same route so I kept seeing them behind the coats stand in one store and trying on some shoes in another :-D



Yes, I'm a shopaholic and it's not news. It turned out that I've become some kind of a Yerevan shops guide for my friends. I'm constantly being asked where to buy shoes, or dresses or where are sales in the city. Not that I go and constantly check out every store :) It's just that I walk a lot and communicate with lots of people and since it's an area of my interest, I'm kinda more informed than average. This is why I decided to share this information with my readers, hoping it might help them!

a tiresome shopping in Italy :))

Taking into account my recent trip to Rome, which was also successful in terms of shopping (there were no sales just yet though :( ), my appetite is still quite full now. I haven't been eagerly waiting for the sales this year and just needed to refill my footwear collection (which can never be enough, you know :D) and buy something new for the NY parties :)..



Enough about me and let's proceed with the tips that will include some FAQs I get from my friends considering shopping.

• Benetton (no sale)


• Next (up to 30% partly)


• Promod (up to 50% partly)


• Mango (Tumanyan, Abovyan) (up to 50%)


• Mexx (up to 30%?)


• Motivi (up to 50%)


• Debenhams (25% sales were just for Dec. 25, 26)


• Chocco (up to 30%?)


• For Love 21 (no sale)


• Papagallo (50% but were limited to this weekend i guess)


• Basic House (up to 50%)


• Terranova/Oggi (up to 50%)

Now, some words about several boutiques.



Benetton, the United Colors of

Possibly my all time favorite brand. Keywords: mystyle, italian, colorful, expensive. Benetton's shoes and boots are my guilty pleasure... :)



The store

The store in Yerevan is far from being nice for a shopping experience. I don't like the staff - they are never helpful. If you pick some clothes to try on, then you have to hang them somewhere yourself, no one comes for help. They never tell about the possible discount options and sale dates. It's a challenge to ask for shoe sizes too. I've been asked to go and check one by one myself (even on mannequins!)

Besides, these days I was about to write a petition or even write to the Benetton's general management, because of the wrong management strategy of the local franchiser.

They only bring very limited sizes and colors of the shoes so that there's practically nothing left in weeks. I suffer for weeks, deciding whether I should buy those extra expensive but utterly cute shoes and when I've finally made up my mind - all I get is just the least nice color and several options for >40 sizes. Some shoes disappear in all sizes before the sale date comes. I see they are very popular among wealthy Yerevan citizens and they would have noticed this too! Would it bother them to bring some more pairs??! Oh yes, I'm frustrated :|



What to buy

Holiday greetings on Benetton's FB page

Cute and quality shoes, underwear, trendy tights, shirts, and almost everything else from clothing.



Sales, Discounts

The bad news is - there is no holiday sale currently. If i'm not mistaken, last year a 20% sale started sometime around January 20. So hold on, if you can :)



But there's some good news ! A year ago I signed for a bonus card, which was also advertised in Benetton then, and it provided a 10% permanent discount on everything. Quite a meaningful discount especially for some 80K shoes :) Check bonus.am for details.



They provide a 10-15% discount card if you make a 150K+ shopping at once. I've been told that one could also keep the checks and collect them to make 150K for getting that card.



There's some 10-15% discount when buying with credit cards of certain banks like HSBC, Converse Bank, Ameriabank etc.



Else

Benetton cookies that look like delicious octopuses :))

Benetton has always been one of the most creative brands in terms of marketing and advertising. If you go to their website now, you'll see some goodies, like for example these cookies. I'm going to cook them soon ;)



Next (co.uk)

This UK brand's store is quite popular in Yerevan. What's particular to this store is their gift suggestions. Current you can buy some nicely gift-wrapped nightwear and slippers. The staff is generally nice and helpful. Not very full these days.



What to buy

some cute slippers in Next

Shoes, bags, purses and other accessories, socks and tights, slippers, and jeans.



Discount, sales

Their sales dates are not very predictive and the current holiday sales are limited to shoes only. At least it was where I saw the 30% sign.



No info if they have discount cards. There are nice gift cards, though.







Mango (since 1984)

This is my favorite brand for practically everything. And I guess it's the favorite one also for the major part of females in Yerevan. The first days of the sales is a total madness, to say the least. There are long queues at the fitting rooms, checkout and even at the doorsteps. Everything gets messy inside and some shoppers (a big part I'd say) become like zombies (a swarm of locusts is a more precise definition), going through others' heads, stepping on anything to pick the desired thing just TO SEE it.



What to buy

I'm generally dressed there. I buy the basics like dresses, skirts, shorts, tops, glasses, sometimes coats, suits and shoes too.



Sales, Discounts

The sale was announced on December 23 (I'm subscribed to the newsletter, of course :) and I got an SMS on that day (I guess I've left my contacts there when they had those subscribe cards at the checkout).

So the best way to be notified about the sales is to subscribe to their news.

They always start their sales before NY holidays (sometimes from 25%, however this year it was < 50% right away). The sale will continue for weeks, turning to 70% at a point. It's still possible to find goodies by then :)



I have no idea if they have discount cards and it's likely that they don't. If they do, why don't I have it yet?? If you know anything about it, share in comments :)



Some precious tips



#1. Mango is the only brand I know that has their entire collection on the website for browsing and online shopping (limited countries). (go to mangoshop.com and select a country, i usually go for Italy/English/)

You can easily navigate through various garments, check the collection and find out that other colors can the current item have. You can find the major part (if not entirely) of what's displayed on the website in our local stores.



#2. Since their sales dates are quite predictable, I'd suggest you to go check out the collection in the store once in a while. If you don't have something you have to buy immediately, you might want to try on things you like and leave them for buying when the sale comes. Since their collection is huge, chances are you'll be able to find your desired item in your size during the sales. And while it's almost not possible to wait in the line for trying them on, you might win a valuable time and precious nerve cells skipping that part. I have never waited in the line for trying on things during this sales shopping period. Partly, because I know my precise size for everything and mainly because I've tried on enough things to be sure that I won't regret about buying them like that, right away.

Mango Newsletter

#an interesting fact: During the recent years of shopping, me and my sis have collected an unbelievably crazy amount of branded paper bags, in their excellent condition :) for some unknown reason we didn't trash them immediately. During this new year spring cleaning, my sis sorted them by brands, and those that counted a few dozen (Mango was the absolute winner), she decided to take to the store. We didn't believe they would accept them, but it was worth the try. My sister came back from Mango really happy, because they not only accepted them back, but also gave a small reward in the form of a winter handbag :) The Mango staff is great (they even do recognize my face, you know :D) and we definitely LOVE MANGO.



Promod (nouveau!)

This French brand's recently opened boutique was won my heart. It's very favorably located and can be compared to Mango with prices and partly also with style.



What to Buy

Scarves, bijoux, fashion tights, jackets, dresses, jeans...



Sales

The sales started few days ago and they are up to 50%, however not on the entire collection. Actually, I was walking with my friend, passing the Promod store couple of days ago wondering out loud if they plan to start their sales. We had our spiced tea in ArtBridge and when we were walking back, we noticed that the % signs were already sticked to the glasses. THEY HEARD ME.



Debenhams (in front of Eritasardakan metro station)



Debenhams is a department store from UK that was just recently opened also in Yerevan. The store is quite big and not very crowded. They have a big choice of shoes, handbags and lingerie. Strangely, I didn't buy anything while i spent about half an hour there today. They are a bit overpriced and the collections' style is not really mine. When you go, check out the "Home" section (very small though) on the 2nd floor. There were really nice bed linens, shovels, candles and other stuff.



Sales

The Armenian store has a Facebook page, where they announce about sales. 25% discount was for December 25,26 only, however they have announced on the page, that there will soon be a NY sale also.









...

Benefit from discount cards

I've had this terrific idea since long ago, now i'm finally sharing it. I think to create a FB group where we could share our discount cards and coupons for shops. Declare the ones we have and lend to others when they need it. It will especially be great for accumulative cards. For example, I have 10% discount card for Mexx and 20% for Motivi and I'll be happy to lend them.



As I have mentioned in Benetton's case, there is this bonus.am that might be handy :)



Some banks like HSBC, Converse Bank, Ameriabank have fixed sales with their credit cards. Be sure to check with your bank for them.

Today I spent about 5 hours wandering on the streets of my byuuutiful festive Yerevan, doing my favorite money-spending activities: shopping for wearables and gifts. At first I was by myself, but I didn't feel alone, since I incidentally met dozen of friends on streets and inside stores. Some of them joined me for several stops. Others were following the same route so I kept seeing them behind the coats stand in one store and trying on some shoes in another :-D



Yes, I'm a shopaholic and it's not news. It turned out that I've become some kind of a Yerevan shops guide for my friends. I'm constantly being asked where to buy shoes, or dresses or where are sales in the city. Not that I go and constantly check out every store :) It's just that I walk a lot and communicate with lots of people and since it's an area of my interest, I'm kinda more informed than average. This is why I decided to share this information with my readers, hoping it might help them!

a tiresome shopping in Italy :))

Taking into account my recent trip to Rome, which was also successful in terms of shopping (there were no sales just yet though :( ), my appetite is still quite full now. I haven't been eagerly waiting for the sales this year and just needed to refill my footwear collection (which can never be enough, you know :D) and buy something new for the NY parties :)..



Enough about me and let's proceed with the tips that will include some FAQs I get from my friends considering shopping.

• Benetton (no sale)


• Next (up to 30% partly)


• Promod (up to 50% partly)


• Mango (Tumanyan, Abovyan) (up to 50%)


• Mexx (up to 30%?)


• Motivi (up to 50%)


• Debenhams (25% sales were just for Dec. 25, 26)


• Chocco (up to 30%?)


• For Love 21 (no sale)


• Papagallo (50% but were limited to this weekend i guess)


• Basic House (up to 50%)


• Terranova/Oggi (up to 50%)

Now, some words about several boutiques.



Benetton, the United Colors of

Possibly my all time favorite brand. Keywords: mystyle, italian, colorful, expensive. Benetton's shoes and boots are my (wallet's) guilty pleasure... :)



The store

The store in Yerevan is far from being nice for a shopping experience. I don't like the staff - they are never helpful. If you pick some clothes to try on, then you have to hang them somewhere yourself, no one comes for help. They never tell about the possible discount options and sale dates. It's a challenge to ask for shoe sizes too. I've been asked to go and check one by one myself (even on mannequins!)

Besides, these days I was about to write a petition or even write to the Benetton's general management, because of the wrong management strategy of the local franchiser.

They only bring very limited sizes and colors of the shoes so that there's practically nothing left in weeks. I suffer for weeks, deciding whether I should buy those extra expensive but uber stylish shoes and when I've finally made up my mind - all I get is just the least nice color and several options for 40+ sizes. Most footwear models disappear in all sizes before the sale date comes. I see they are very popular among wealthy Yerevan citizens and they would have noticed this too! Would it bother them to bring some more pairs??! Oh yes, I'm frustrated :|



What to buy

Holiday greetings on Benetton's FB page

Cute and quality shoes, underwear, trendy tights, shirts, and almost everything else from clothing.



Sales, Discounts

The bad news is - there is no holiday sale currently. If i'm not mistaken, last year a 20% sale started sometime around January 20. So hold on, if you can :)



But there's some good news ! A year ago I signed for a bonus card, which was also advertised in Benetton then, and it provided a 10% permanent discount on everything. Quite a meaningful discount especially for some 80K shoes :) Check bonus.am for details.



They provide a 10-15% discount card if you make a 150K+ shopping at once. I've been told that one could also keep the checks and collect them to make 150K for getting that card.



There's some 10-15% discount when buying with credit cards of certain banks like HSBC, Converse Bank, Ameriabank etc.



Else

Benetton cookies that look like delicious octopuses :))

Benetton has always been one of the most creative brands in terms of marketing and advertising. If you go to their website now, you'll see some goodies, like for example these cookies. I'm going to cook them soon ;)



Next (co.uk)

This UK brand's store is quite popular in Yerevan. What's particular to this store is their gift suggestions. Current you can buy some nicely gift-wrapped nightwear and slippers. The staff is generally nice and helpful. Not very full these days.



What to buy

some cute slippers in Next

Shoes, bags, purses and other accessories, socks and tights, slippers, and jeans.



Discount, sales

Their sales dates are not very predictive and the current holiday sales are limited to shoes only. At least it was where I saw the 30% sign.



No info if they have discount cards. There are nice gift cards, though.







Mango (since 1984)

This is my favorite brand for practically everything. And I guess it's the favorite one also for the major part of females in Yerevan. The first days of the sales is a total madness, to say the least. There are long queues at the fitting rooms, checkout and even at the doorsteps. Everything gets messy inside and some shoppers (a big part I'd say) become like zombies (a swarm of locusts is a more precise definition), going through others' heads, stepping on anything to pick the desired thing just TO SEE it.



What to buy

I'm generally dressed there. I buy the basics like dresses, skirts, shorts, tops, glasses, sometimes coats, suits and shoes too.



Sales, Discounts

The sale was announced on December 23 (I'm subscribed to the newsletter, of course :) and I got an SMS on that day (I guess I've left my contacts there when they had those subscribe cards at the checkout).

So the best way to be notified about the sales is to subscribe to their news.

They always start their sales before NY holidays (sometimes from 25%, however this year it was < 50% right away). The sale will continue for weeks, turning to 70% at a point. It's still possible to find goodies by then :)



I have no idea if they have discount cards and it's likely that they don't. If they do, why don't I have it yet?? If you know anything about it, share in comments :)



Some precious tips



#1. Mango is the only brand I know that has their entire collection on the website for browsing and online shopping (limited countries). (go to mangoshop.com and select a country, i usually go for Italy/English/)

You can easily navigate through various garments, check the collection and find out that other colors can the current item have. You can find the major part (if not entirely) of what's displayed on the website in our local stores.



#2. Since their sales dates are quite predictable, I'd suggest you to go check out the collection in the store once in a while. If you don't have something you have to buy immediately, you might want to try on things you like and leave them for buying when the sale comes. Since their collection is huge, chances are you'll be able to find your desired item in your size during the sales. And while it's almost not possible to wait in the line for trying them on, you might win a valuable time and precious nerve cells skipping that part. I have never waited in the line for trying on things during this sales shopping period. Partly, because I know my precise size for everything and mainly because I've tried on enough things to be sure that I won't regret about buying them like that, right away.

Mango Newsletter

#an interesting fact: During the recent years of shopping, me and my sis have collected an unbelievably crazy amount of branded paper bags, in their excellent condition :) for some unknown reason we didn't trash them immediately. During this new year spring cleaning, my sis sorted them by brands, and those that counted a few dozen (Mango was the absolute winner), she decided to take to the store. We didn't believe they would accept them, but it was worth the try. My sister came back from Mango really happy, because they not only accepted them back, but also gave a small reward in the form of a winter handbag :) The Mango staff is great (they even do recognize my face, you know :D) and we definitely LOVE MANGO.



Promod (nouveau!)

This French brand's recently opened boutique was won my heart. It's very favorably located and can be compared to Mango with prices and partly also with style.



What to Buy

Scarves, bijoux, fashion tights, jackets, dresses, jeans...



Sales

The sales started few days ago and they are up to 50%, however not on the entire collection. Actually, I was walking with my friend, passing the Promod store couple of days ago wondering out loud if they plan to start their sales. We had our spiced tea in ArtBridge and when we were walking back, we noticed that the % signs were already sticked to the glasses. THEY HEARD ME.



Debenhams (in front of Eritasardakan metro station)



Debenhams is a department store from UK that was just recently opened also in Yerevan. The store is quite big and not very crowded. They have a big choice of shoes, handbags and lingerie. Strangely, I didn't buy anything while i spent about half an hour there today. They are a bit overpriced and the collections' style is not really mine. When you go, check out the "Home" section (very small though) on the 2nd floor. There were really nice bed linens, shovels, candles and other stuff.



Sales

The Armenian store has a Facebook page, where they announce about sales. 25% discount was for December 25,26 only, however they have announced on the page, that there will soon be a NY sale also.









...

Benefit from discount cards

I've had this terrific idea since long ago, now i'm finally sharing it. I think to create a FB group where we could share our discount cards and coupons for shops. Declare the ones we have and lend to others when they need it. It will especially be great for accumulative cards. For example, I have 10% discount card for Mexx and 20% for Motivi and I'll be happy to lend them.



As I have mentioned in Benetton's case, there is this bonus.am that might be handy :)



Some banks like HSBC, Converse Bank, Ameriabank have fixed sales with their credit cards. Be sure to check with your bank for them.

I can't watch movies at home in the recent months. When I have the luxury of a spare time, I prefer reading or writing. Even when I try to force myself to watch one of those highly recommended movies, i stop when i realize, that after watching it, the direction of my thoughts will change and my brain will be occupied analyzing it. Sometimes I don't need new thoughts and ideas, because I still need to deal with the existing ones.

Last week I got sick and spent more than 2 days in bed. I couldn't read, write or even watch a movie. I did nothing but suffering from a headache and cold. When I felt a little better, I realized that it's THE time. And Mr Nobody was it.



the trailer:



This is one of the greatest movies I've seen in life. It's dealing with some of my favorite topics and featuring my favorite musician, actor and sweetheart Jared Leto and the fabulous Diane Kruger.

I'm a Jared Leto 'witness'

Here are my favorite quotes from the film.

still from the movie: Nemo (Mr Nobody) and Anna (one of his choices)

“There comes a time in life where everything seems narrow. Choices have been made. I can only continue on. I know myself like the back of my hand. I can predict my every reaction. My life has been cast in cement with airbags and seatbelts. I've done everything to reach this point and now that I'm here, I'm fucking bored. The hardest thing is knowing whether I'm still alive.”

The movie brings the hope that no matter what choice we make it is not the consequences that make our decision the right one. It is US. And the appreciation and the gratitude of what we have experienced. No matter if it is bad or good, positive or negative. We need to appreciate our feelings for the sake of feeling.

Every path is the right path. Everything could have been everything else and it will have just as much meaning.

I often start imagining various possibilities like "if I'd done this instead"... various outcomes of my choices. Sometimes I can feel those experiences just by imagining them in details. It's when I realize that I didn't miss anything and I never really regret about my choices.

Before he was unable to make a choice because he didn't know what would happen. Now that he knows what will happen, he is unable to make a choice.

If you liked The Butterfly Effect, Vanilla Sky and Wicker Park, you'll definitely enjoy this movie! The futuristic scenes on Mars and on the way to it are just awesome. It's also worth seeing how the world in 2092 is described.

We cannot go back. That's why it's hard to choose. You have to make the right choice. As long as you don't choose, everything remains possible.

Sean Jordan's Vespa and me!

Derek Sivers, in a hilarious short talk from the TED stage, says that we should keep our goals to ourselves.

I do truly believe him. Even though i have always thought that if I am telling someone about my plans, i'm feeling sort of a responsibility towards my plan and accountability to the person I'm telling. But every often when planning something it happens that I'm visualizing it so well, squeezing all the possible positive emotions from just the thought of it, that I no longer feel the need of actually realizing it. Like I have got enough joy just even thinking about it, that after now i have less motivation to accomplish it in reality.



But here, I'm gonna reveal one of my plans, which I'm accountable to few people. These are kind of friends, whom I won't be trying to disappoint or let down.

You may read about the Day 1 here then go on with this :)



I'm not the same person after this trip.. I've got lots of answers to questions about that territory i had in my head, but also, more questions popped out in my head...



I've always felt guilty and underprivileged for not having visited the historical Armenian land of  Artsakh. It wasn't that hard to do, and there have been many occasions. The majority of my friends has been constantly going there, but somehow I wasn't lucky with it. I've been encouraging the tourists to visit it, while myself... well.



Now I'm actually glad that all the other opportunities to visit Artsakh before didn't work out. I'm happy I visited it in November for the first time and with someone who had lots of details and stories about these places to tell.



The first thing I saw in Artsakh was the Lachin/Berdzor corridor.. long, curvy road we passed by the dark, seeing the "Free Artsakh welcomes you" signs which made me feel very positive :)

source: Wikipedia

There wasn't much to be seen in the dark and it took about 2,5 hours to reach the capital Stepanakert. We stopped at the Armenia hotel in the main square, just near the newly reconstructed Parliament building.

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic's Parliament building

The hotel was really nice and comfortable with almost all rooms occupied.

Hotel Armenia

In the morning we had a small walk in the city center...

A cute elderly couple strolling on the square

it was really touching

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic's Government building

a new fancy park with free wi-fi in the center of Stepanakert!

 And here I finally met THEM. Grandmother and Grandfather (Տատիկ և պապիկ). The landmark, the symbol of the high spirit of this brave nation. Also known as the "We Are Our Mountains" monument representing the mountain people of Karabakh.

We Are Our Mountains

me and Papik :) (tatik didn't mind)

We left Stepanakert to go deeper into the beautiful and forested mountains of Artsakh. The weather was perfect. It was much warmer than in Yerevan. I've been regretting that I didn't wear a plain thin shirt.

The whole way I was staring at the autumn landscapes and layers of endless mountains all around... The roads were in a very good condition (North-South Highway constructed with the help of Armenians of the world).

Most of the time I was just smiling to the contrary wind and sun through the open window, sometimes taking pictures right during the drive.





















The whole way I was hearing stories from the war, about the land mines, about the battles. Even though there are not so many evidences left from that bloody time, you can feel the cost... the reason why this land was worth fighting for and liberating.





Our destination was Gandzasar.. A truly magical place. A magnificent 13th century monastery located on the hilltop near the Vank village.

a cemetery. graves of those who gave their lives for liberating their land

On the way here I heard the story about how the monastery's priest solely protected the church when the enemy attacked it before our soldiers came for help during the war.

Vank village seen from the monastery

On this image you can actually see the holes made by enemy's bullets. The monastery stands still and reaffirms firmness of faith.

the monastery had amazing and unique carvings

I just realized several of my favorite wishes.

1. A long road trip with nice people and music


2. Visiting south of Armenia, Tatev Monastery and getting on the world's longest aerial tramway


3. Visiting Artsakh - the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

The Road Trip

I love long journeys. On a plane, train, car.. whatever. I always enjoy the way, the process of getting into the destination. Especially having things to do (listening to music, reading, writing etc) or people to chat with.

When the way is longer than the stay, you have no choice but to enjoy it, otherwise - it's not worth the time spent.

It was very intense. Too many hours of rapidly changing scenes, new places, experiences and feelings. But I've enjoyed it all.



Reviving Tatev 

the ticket (roundtrip costs 3000 AMD)

I've always felt myself something between retarded and underprivileged for the fact that I've never been to south of Armenia (further south than Noravank) and never been to Tatev Monastery. Now I feel special and quite privileged. I have been on the Guinness certified world's longest aerial tramway "Wings of Tatev" only couple of weeks after the opening.





The aerial tram was quite nice, not scary at all. The journey is 11-15 minutes long and the highest point is about 300m. The tram can fit 25 people at once and when we were there, it was full with villagers who are allowed to travel on it for free.

the Halidzor station

view from the tram

the second tram on its way back to Halidzor

an old road as seen from the tram

Then we arrived to the Tatev Station.

Tatev station of the aerial tramway

...and I finally saw it. One of the most magnificent sites in Armenia.

Inside the monastic complex

It was nice to see many restoration works being carried out there. They were restoring the old oil mill and visitors had the chance to see a 3D model presentation of how it used to work.

visitors in the old oil mill watching the video

This place is becoming a trending touristic zone due to the "Tatev Revival" project. "The wings of Tatev" was  the first step towards the implementation of this major project which includes also:

(1)   Restoring the monastery structurally, spiritually, academically

(2)   Developing community-based tourism in the six villages surrounding the monastery

(3)   Building tourism infrastructure - a hotel across the valley from Tatev and the world's longest aerial tramway spanning the Vorotan River Gorge

A friend of ours who was there a week before, had told us not to miss the cafe that is located inside the Tourist Information Office near the monastery. Yeah, just like that. Why not? :) By а strange but pleasant coincidence we met our friend right there, while trying to locate that Info Office. There we had an amazing homemade dinner in a cozy atmosphere, then some great gingerbread-like cookies.



Then we traveled back to Halidzor station on the last tram for the day (departing 17.30).









And then we continued our trip to Artsakh.

I'm kinda proud and happy to share this while it's trending!



Vahe G. (an Armenian 21yo guy), installed a JS code in his blogspot blog (now closed by Google) and if you visited it while logged into your Gmail (even from an incognito window), you would receive an email from him. Creepy?



He has tried to reach Google for this but got no response. Then a friend suggested to write to Techcrunch, so he did. Now he's making headlines all over the interwebs.



Google has already shut the blog and responded: “We take potential security issues very seriously, and our team is actively investigating this one. We’ll share more information soon."