Fort Queen

 It was just another day of being a tourist. Everyone said I had to visit the Black Fortress, which was built in 1844. It was not on the top of my list. I had been to so many forts in my lifetime and  thought maybe this was just one I could skip. It was near the Mother of Armenia statue and was in a nice area of town surrounded by trees, nature and a nice park. 

Off I went on my Day 2 Adventure in Gyumri. The first full day had really been interesting with lots of great conversations and learning moments.

Everyday is always some new form of learning or entertainment and this was definitely one of those days…..

I arrived at the Black fortress and I did not see one tourist in sight. The only person I did meet was a man inside named Jovik. He was the Director of the facility and mainly spoke Armenian and Russian, but we managed to have a great conversation barely even using a translation app. Sometimes this miraculously happens...I cannot even explain it anymore...

My new friend at the fort was showing me the videos of where they would have special concerts including dancing, singing, and also sports like boxing. He told me about the tourists he meets from other countries and was proud that he once met a man from Africa. He truly loves meeting new people from different countries and he lists off all the countries more than one time-it is quite endearing. 

A reason why I did not want to go is because there is not a lot of walking, hills, and views- it is really just the museum. There is not much to see inside without going into the museum part. 

I did not even ask, but he unlocks the museum doors and shows me the room of the aristocrats back in that day. He shows me the different furniture, swords, photos, and paintings. 

We move into a royal dining room with fine china, silverware, and antique cabinets. It was like out of King Arthur. 

There is a sitting area to the side and he tells me to take a seat. I was not sure why and then he opens the cabinet takes out 2 glasses and a bottle of Aarat, which is a famous Cognac of Armenia. This was actually something I wanted to try. 

Disclaimer: I do not need/drink alcohol regularly, but I am a Wine connoisseur who will try a local beer or a very special drink of a country once or twice. It is 99 percent when a local says, "You have to try .... it is our special drink." etc etc etc 

While I would never in my wildest dreams drink Cognac in the US, he told me this bottle he had was quite expensive and you cannot even buy it in Gyumri( I asked my local friend after and it was fact).  

I was actually thinking, "Come on Priscilla live a little a try the local drink." 

It is like locals just know what I am thinking at times. It was one cheers to “enjoying Armenia” to a few more toasts or cheers. I guess I liked it a bit more than I expected because I ended up sipping a few glasses, but it is mainly because these amazing sweet, kind toasts that Armenians/ Georgians make and you are like forced to have a sip because it is not nice to ignore someone's toast. 

He toasts again to “happiness”and I toast to “new friends.” He was showing me photos of his nieces and nephews and his local friends. He had a motorcyle and he loved taking trips around Armenia (Google translate).  It was really this innocent, kind, and fun local exchange that I cherish(not romantic by any means-it just felt like my normal  "Making friends with everyone travel routine)." 

He placed some bread on the table with oil and some cheese, "Please eat something." It is tradition to eat together this." 

There we were just sipping on Cognac and he gets a knock on the door. A Russian tourist group had arrived and he said, “Come lets go.”

They had scheduled to see the underground museum, which again you can only see on a tour. For some reason, this happened a lot this trip where I got to enter a museum with a tour group or overhear a guide talking- again just the timing. 

I was just standing in the back of the group laughing to myself at how funny this scenario was at this time. I just say in English “tourist.” And they did not mind me joining them. There was this amazing well that went all the way down many meters. It was actually nice being able to see this part of the fortress. He was taking some nice photos for me and the tour group.  

Who has this kind of experience visiting a fortress? The tourists that come in pay for a tour, see the museum, walk around a bit, and off they go. It cannot even be properly documented through my writing because I cannot even keep up with all the entertaining moments or the broken English or the mix of different languages. It is just something that really needs to be recorded(Yes I already mentioned this, but maybe someone will read my blogs and see my Youtube channel and agree-lol) 

After a few sips, I was feeling pretty relaxed and ready to take a walk. He puts up his hands to his eyes to indicate he is going to cry if I leave. I tell him the weather is nice, I must seize the day and go outside. He understands that I am a tourist and life keeps moving.  He kindly walks me out while also taking a few more photos for me. It is so nice when people put effort into taking nice photos of you without you even asking. He does work at a tourist attraction, but still very nice and until next time friend. Cheers to a good, healthy life where you continue to meet new friends from different countries!