Usually, the best way to get an idea of the cost of life in a new place is to compare the price of basic goods or things that you are used to in your home country. You can do that by spending some time in a supermarket, your smartphone in hand, with a currency exchange app, or if you know by heart the current exchange rate, a simple calculator or your brain cells will do. The Armenian dram is quite stable and at the date of today (for reference) 100 drams are equivalent to 0.25 $us or 0.24 € Now, I am sure that you have a pretty accurate idea of what you could get with this amount back home. I know, not much, right?
During my trip in Armenia, I wanted to have a better idea of the cost of life in the capital as well as in the countryside, so I made a list. I bet that you too will be surprised as how much you can get with only 100 drams!
52 GRAMS OF CHANAKH
This typical soft cheese is one of the most popular cheese type, along with the Lori; dairy products from cow, goat or sheep milk, especially in the form of cheese have an important place in Armenian cuisine. The oldest traces of cheese making in Armenia go back to ancient times and each region has perfected its own. Now that you are acquainted, maybe you would like to try the Chechil, string cheese, or the Motal, a 5000 years old traditional cheese. Don’t forget a glass of red wine and fresh bread!
A SMALL KHACHAPURI
Originary from Georgia, this savory pastry is a cheese- filled bread typically made with a mixture of imeruli and sulguni cheese. Traditionally shaped as a gondole you will most likely find triangular ones. It has become a popular street food in Armenia, and can be found freshly baked all throughout the day at the main traffic-dense locations like Kilikia bus station. My favorite store is definitely the one in Tumanyan street.
60 GRAMS OF CANDIES AND CHOCOLATES
Chiki-Piki, KorobKa, Napoleon, Toffino, бУРЕНКА, Frutis, Soufflé, шАпояка, ԹԶՈՒԿ, Twist…. One big discovery for me the first time I went to a supermarket was the extensive choice of candies. Even the smallest stores in remote villages have an alley reserved for sweets and chocolates. You buy them by weight, which is great when you want to try a bit of each sort.
AN ENTRY TO THE PUBLIC TOILETS
There are public toilets in Yerevan, mainly in the Kentron, the city center and they are clean! and easy to locate. (for those who have visited another touristic city, where gondolas and bridges are numerous, you will understand why I emphasize these points!) In some places, like the Kilikia bus station or by the Freedom Square, close to the opera, this service will cost 100drams which is justified by the care of the restroom attendant, the availability of paper and soap, and the smile of the attendant.
A TOKEN FOR A METRO RIDE
When you enter one of the 10 Karen Demirchyanianvan Yerevani Metropoliten, the Yerevan Subway, head to the small window of the cashier; there you will get a red plastic token that you slide directly into the turnstile slot. Simple and practical .The metro is one of the cleanest I have used. It is cheap. It was even cheaper before 2012…50 drams.
A HOTDOG
It is not like the hotdog you know, with mustard and all. It is a bun , slightly sweet and baked with a sausage inside. When you want to order one, ask for a Nar’bershikov sandwich!
A VOTIVE CANDLE STICK
Upon entering a church it is customary to lit candles in front of holy pictures and usually you don’t light only one; people buy 5 or ten at a time, and line them on a stand filled with sand while they say a prayer for their loved ones, or for any cause that would benefit from some divine assistance.
The yellow thin sticks are made of beeswax, a natural wax secreted by honey bees ; the substance natural color varies from pale yellow to deep amber,depending on the type of nectar harvested by the bees.
A major improvement came in the Middle Ages, when beeswax candles were introduced in Europe. Unlike animal-based tallow, beeswax burned pure and cleanly, without producing a smoky flame. It also emitted a pleasant sweet smell rather than the foul, acrid odor of tallow. Beewax candles were widely used for church ceremonies,
AN ICE CREAM
Vanilla, chocolate, or mixed. soft serve ice cream is irresistible. You can find an ice cream sellers in the small coffee and fruit juice shops located at most of the main street corners. The one on the side of The History museum of Armenia is my favorite; I stop there every single time I cross Republic Square.
A COFFEE AT THE MACHINE
When in Armenia, any time is coffee time. it doe not come as a surprise that Armenians were the first to introduce coffee houses into European capitals. Preparing Armenian Sourj is a routine, however it requires your full attention: once the ground coffee has been poured into the javze, the traditional coffee pot, you must stir it without letting the water coming to a boil. In case of emergency you can find a coffee distributor at pretty any street corner.
ONE LIGHTER FROM THE STREET SELLER
In Armenia, you can smoke practically everywhere, even in Yerevan. It is actually a challenge to find a non smoking place. Smoking is a very common habit for both men and women however women usually don’t smoke in the street, and if you want to enjoy your meal without the cigarette smoke extra, let the staff know when sitting at a cafe or restaurant.
A LAVASH.
Lavash is a rectangular flat bread; actually it is a lot more than that, it is basically a part of Armenian culture, so much so that it has been included as the country intangible heritage. Many households make their own at home but you will find bakeries that bake Lavash all day long.
ONE POST STAMP
Sending sms or messages on social media has become common but nothing beats writing postcards to friends and family. It has this personal touch that shows them that you really think of them. Haypost is the official national postal operator, its offices are easily recognizable with their orange logo; when I sent a small package of sweet goodies to France I was told it might take from 2 to 3 weeks; actually it arrived 8 days later!
As per national law, it is prohibited to import used bed linen from Australia or to send umbrellas to Brazil. you can consult the list of prohibited items. If your loved ones live in Romania, it is not allowed to send them ” postage stamps and philatelic items”… I don’t know whether it includes the one on the package.
ONE KM RIDE BY TAXI
When you jump into a metered taxi, you pay 100 drams flat fee, to which you add the same sum per km. the other taxis will calculate the price for the ride fairly on the same base. Tell them where you want to go, and the driver will give you his price. Make sure you agree on it before he starts the engine. In Armenia people use the Yandex Taxi online ride-sharing app, to which you can register simply with a phone number. The main advantages I found are the possibility to pay by card and the upfront fares.
ONE PONCHIK OR PIROSHKI
I ate my first Piroshki pastry on a early and sunny morning, and that’s when I discovered that the oblong fried bun I bought to accompany my coffee was filled with mashed potato. If you have a sweet tooth, try the Ponchik, also borrowed from the Russian cuisine. The Armenian variation is a flattened sphere of deep fried dough usually filled with custard cream. On my quest for street food sweetness, I also found the Jam et the Nutella version. I recommend all of them.
A BUS RIDE
Yerevan is made for pedestrians and it is very pleasant to go around by foot but if you are in a hurry or just want to enjoy the view while carried to your destination, you can take one of the many buses or marshrutni ( mini buses). Each bus has a specific itinerary and the bus stops are conspicuously signaled. Prepare your fare and pay the driver as you exit. If you take the trolley bus that rides in Yerevan Kentron , it will cost half the price.
A BUNCH OF RADISHES
At the Malatia Agricultural market, a huge farmer’s market in the south west part of Yerevan, all fruits and vegetable are fresh and tasty and as colorful as the sellers. I found the place by pure chance and the vendors were not used to see foreigners. I penetrated into a mixed atmosphere of suspicion and curiosity which quickly changed into a friendly series of chatty encounters.
A TRY AT ROCKY BOXER
Armenia might not be famous for its Beach Volley team but when it comes to professional boxing, the country has produced several champions in different weight categories. The late Ardash Sahaghian, was not a boxer (even though his life was paved with numerous fights), he was a proficient jeweler . This craft master is renown today for creating the iconic modern championship belt, the most valued prize in the eyes of all great boxers.
A GLASS OF WATER
If one day you find yourself in a state of severe dehydration while waiting your bus at the Northern bus station, 100 drams are all you need to buy a glass of water from the water dispenser. Armenia is blessed with huge reserves of water; its water bottling industry has been growing throughout the years and it exports both mineral and spring water. In the center of Yerevan, you will find many pulpulak, the free water fountains, so during your visit just carry your reusable bottle that you can easily refill; very convenient and an efficient way to reduce plastic use! There are public fountains in every single village.
A MAGNET AT THE VERNISSAGE MARKET
Framed between Aram St, and Buzand St, the market stretches its stalls, just opposite the street from the Garegin Nzhdeh sculpture to the Vardan Mamikonyan statue. It is very busy during the weekend but when the weather is nice you will find some sellers any day of the week. This outdoor market is a hybrid of a flea market and a craft exposition where traditional carpets rub shoulders with jewelry and military decorations; it is one of the most popular tourist attractions and you should be able to find a present for all your loved one. Now is the time to practice your bargaining skills!
ONE HOUR OF PARKING.
There are various modes of transportation in the capital city and it is usually more practical to use public transports or hop into a taxi than use a private car. However you might want to rent a vehicle to go explore the country at your own convenience, with the advantage of more independence and comfort.
If you want to know more about everything you can do in Yerevan, you can contact the city Information Center.
