Time for a Retreat

Summer life in Yerevan was really good-- never a dull moment. And for that reason, Lalai and I needed a RETREAT. A true getaway from it all. We settled on Lake Sevan as our destination. Those who have been, will recognize this hotel. It's the most secluded, and comfortable place on the lake. A few hours away from Yerevan. They could accommodate us for only one night-- Friday. "Fine, we'll take it," we said. We were pleasantly surprised the next morning when the front desk called and said, "Good news ladies-- your room is available tonight after all." Great! We called our taxi driver in Yerevan (who had delivered us) and told him not to come pick us up after all. We were thrilled, and made ourselves at home, anticipating another full day and night. Until....

Several hours later, while laying on the bed chillin out (Lalai in Ipod-land, me just resting) the phone rang. "Hello?" I said.

"Blah blah blah blah," I heard (my Armenian wasn't quite there yet).

"Sorry, do you speak English?"

"Yes, you must leave now. Please check out," said the front desk clerk.

"What?!"

"You must check out. It's not our fault. It's administration's fault. They told us the room was available, but now it's not. The guests are on their way from Yerevan with a tour van. Come check out."

Lalai reluctantly re-entered reality, and I explained what had been said on the other end of the line.

After 2 hours of cleverly negotiating (or persistent nagging?), we managed to get a free night at the Yerevan branch of this small hotel chain--as long as we paid for our own transportation. So we packed our bags, arranged for a cab (which had to come all the way from Yerevan), waited by the pool, and headed back.

When the cab started coughing and smoking we took it in stride. Our 16 year old driver pulled into the nearest gas station. He was cool, and when Lalai asked "Dude, what's up?" (in Armenian of course) he convinced her there was no problem. She believed him. Until.........
An explosion! It was something under the hood. Our driver didn't seem bothered at all, but it was a little unsettling for us. So Lalai approached him again. "Wait a minute, man....I thought you said everything was all right!" Somehow he found it humurous?
Shi.................................oooot!

Okay, no problem. We can take matters into our own hands. (?)

But our friend convinced us that he could solve the problem.

So, we waited...

...and waited...

made new friends in the meantime....

...and finally arrived...

into a lap of luxury which enveloped us for the next two days. Some things are blessings in disguise and we decided this was one. We told them in addition to our free night, we would pay and stay the following night as well. We made two outings per day. Both downstairs...

to the restaurant

for lunches...

and dinners, on the patio.

But we stayed in for "homemade" breakfast...

and enjoyed the view.

Reading the menu, even in English, was a taxing job for me during the retreat. Decisions, decisions. I liked to leave things up to Lalai, who always made the right decisions.
We had leisurely meals, enjoying the view...

...and taking pictures of ourselves, as usual.

It was a true re-treat on many levels. We were so close, but yet so far from our Yerevan homes. After the third day we descended into Yerevan center and hit the market. Lalai's remaining days in Hayastan were limited and she needed to shop for gifts.

In the course of her shopping spree, at least five vendors gave her free "because you're such a nice girl" gifts, she was asked on two dates, and she was proposed to for marriage. Not bad! It's not easy being such a "lav aghcheek."

Mission accomplished.