THE DISPUTED SERIES, DAY 4
GEORGIA – YEREVAN
I’ve decided enough is probably enough here in Tbilisi and as my time in Yerevan is fairly short I’ve decided to leave a day earlier. Flights are £350 so I’ll be travelling overland which is always an experience and proved to be so.
YOU’RE LUCKY I DIDN’T LEAVE YOUR BAGS IN GEORGIA!
Shared taxis are another option at 40lei and leave fairly often (when full) from outside of Avlabari terminal.
IGNORANCE
It didn’t start too well when I arrived first and was told to sit in the far corner. After asking what’s wrong with the other single seats he just said reserved. The driver was one of the most ignorant people I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with on my travels but again its all part of the fun, right! After a 1hr drive we arrived at the border. It’s Christmas Day here (7th Jan – orthodox) and the cars were queued back for about 1km. After 10mins everyone just seemed to get out and start walking so after getting no instruction from the driver I felt obliged to follow.
WHERE IT ALL WENT WRONG
Getting out of Georgia was no problem and I decided to wait around before the Armenian border until I seen someone else from the bus, just to make sure I was doing the right thing. There was an American who was living in Georgia and wasn’t sure whether to wait or go on through the Armenian side. She said she had done the trip 5 or 6 times and every time had to wait for the bus but this time she decided just to go on through….wait what?? I also noticed another guy from the bus head on through. But I felt if I were to get it wrong I would get it wrong with someone else and not on my own so I headed out with her.
WAITING GAME
From what seem like an age on the otherside our bus finally arrived and the driver was not happy. He couldn’t speak much English so had a local from the bus do his talking for him. “If you are late [i.e. – don’t wait again] I will leave your bags and go without you. Charming. Normally I wouldn’t reply with my own charm in fear of a reprisal but I wasn’t for taking his sh*t and mouthed up appropriately. After arriving in Yerevan and getting the 20pence bus to the hostel myself and my new roommate Christy headed for some food in The Tolma restaurant and drinking in Maikhas Jazz Club (Pushkin St 52) followed by a grimy place you’d only go to after all the other clubs are shut, Calumet Ethnic Lounge Bar – what a name!
NEXT UP
Free day in Yerevan to kill before going to Artsakh / Nogorno Karabakh! Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
138/229
This post is part of The Disputed Series, click to explore or for episode 1 click here.
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.
