HOW TO REDUCE STRESS

No matter how calm ad relaxed you are as a person, it’s very easy to succumb to stress throughout your day. Things like being stuck in traffic on the way to work, discovering  that the coffee machine is broken, learning that your boss is gone and has left a pile of things to be done pronto, and not meeting a deadline can set you into a whirlwind of stressful thoughts.

The problem is that stress does not help the situation; it actually prevents you from being productive and getting on with the rest of your day successfully.

While there are ways to make you a more peaceful person overall, it’s still easy to fall into stress traps. Here are five easy ways to calm the stress that creeps up on you, especially at work.

COUNT TO 10

An effective way to deal with stressful situations is to count to 10, as it helps you mentally step away from the stressful moment. Consider it the remote control of your life: You press “pause”, and once you’re done counting to10, you press “play” again. You’ll  be in better shape to focus on the task at hand.

SQUEEZE SOMETHING

Carry a stress ball or an object that you can squeeze when times get tough. Wringing something other than your colleague’s neck is an effective way to release your tension and stress.

TAKE A WALK

If you feel like a stressful  scenario is getting the best of you, you can physically remove yourself from the situation. Get up, take a quick walk and  get some air. Give yourself a few minutes of downtime to clear your mind when things get too hectic.

I’m not suggesting that you run away, but rather that you leave for a moment and come back to the situation clearheaded and refreshed. If you don’t, you risk getting frustrated, which won’t allow you to think properly. As a result, you’ll feel more stressed out and your tension could get completely out of hand.

What if you’re stuck in traffic?

Of course, if the situation is bumper-to-bumper traffic, it’s

Impossible to physically remove yourself. In that case, force yourself to think about something other than the traffic for a few minutes. Close the window if all you hear are car horns and construction work.

Another option is to pop  in your favorite CD and focus on the music. Do whatever you can to get your mind off the situation for a few minutes. Once you’re relaxed, you can calmly think about the best alternate route to get to work.

LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE

Learn to keep things in perspective. When you feel stress coming on, Dr. Richard Carlson, author of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, suggests asking yourself if you will really care about the issue you are worrying over a year from now. Chances are that the majority of things you stress about in your day-to-day life are not life threatening, unless they have to do with health and family.

Once you realize that a meeting is not going as well as you’d hoped or you discover a stain on the crotch of your pants, don’t freak out; these things will not determine the course of your life and will not bring on catastrophe. Learn to take things as they come and handle them with ease.

Taking situations a little more  lightly and cutting yourself some slack will ease your stress level and alleviate the amount of pressure you place on your shoulders. Of course, a final report at work is important and could be a determining factor in your career: I’m not suggesting you undermine your assignments and your goals. I’m only saying that when the going gets tough, think of the situation as a challenge you  can win, and if you fail, you’ll learn from it.

BREATHE

Breathing is more than just a function that keeps you alive; it actually helps clear you  mind calm you down. So the next time your heart palpitations are so loud that your entire office hears them, take deep breaths to physically and emotionally calm yourself down. No one can think properly when they feel like they are going into cardiac arrest.

BE STRESS- FREE

These are basic ways to deal with stressful situations that can occur in everyday life. If you practice them, not only will you feel less stressed, but will the people around you.

WHEN THE SUITCASE WON’T CLOSE

    Traveling again and a headache with packing… As a rule, we tend to open the wardrobe and throw everything we see on the bed, presuming that we will be needing all those things. But wait a minute… you won’t be able to wear all those clothes anyway. 

  In order not to lose your head when choosing what to pack, we recommend that you employ the method to be quite effective in the past, believe me.

 Well, you have finally decided what to pack and have separated the items of primary necessity, so there is nothing else left to   “exclude”. But your suitcase refuses to contain all that stuff!  No need to get mad or jump on the suitcase trying to close it with your body weight. Otherwise you will later face the trouble of withdrawing broken or crumpled things out of it. All you need is just to learn how to pack right.  

  You are just a few steps away from having a neatly packed suitcase!

*Firs of all, you need to pack your skirts, pants and jeans. But do not fold them too tightly; place them loosely at the bottom of the suitcase and leave the ends free so that you can put other clothes upon them. At the end, fold the loose ends over the remaining clothes and cover them all.

*Jerseys, light blouses and sportswear may be rolled like a tube and placed in the bag in a row.

*Some  suitcases are equipped with special inner pockets for shoes, but if you don’t  have such pockets, then you should place your footwear in a separate bag, preferably a cloth one so that  it can be washed, if needed. Those who would like to avoid additional labors can use disposable plastic bags.

*Boots can be used to fit rolled socks, belts or travel clocks. Shoes should be placed along the edges of the suitcase.

*It is advisable to wrap high heels in a cloth and then only tuck them, so that they do not damage the suitcase or any items in it.

 Remember, you should not travel with your shoes in their boxes, but if you are afraid that they may get crumpled and spoiled, there is an easy solution: to preserve the from of the shoes, just tuck in a few pairs of socks.

*Lingerie and bathing suits are never unnecessary. It seems that they occupy the least space. The question of their necessity can hardly be disputed but if you do not pack those items right they will take up a lot of space. Bras should be neatly folded in advance (I am sure ladies will know how), and silk or satin underpants should be packed in a separate bag and placed in-between the clothes.

* Accessories: jewelry and sunglasses, as well as items of personal hygiene and makeup, would be good to put in small bags and then only pack with the rest of your stuff. This way you will make it easier to unpack and then pack again when you return.

*To avoid crumpling your hats and caps, employ the method of a “matryoshka doll” , i. e. smaller ones in bigger ones.

*To transport photo or video cameras, it would be advisable to use special cases. That might require taking an additional suitcase, but at least that way you will be sure that your equipment reaches the destination point safe and sound.

If you have new personal acquisitions and intend to take them with you, do not spare the cardboard wrapper: tear the box open and pack the contents without the fancy wrapping. You will be discarding it at your destination point anyway, the frilly packaging that seemed so perfect to your eye a few hours ago. If you don’t you will be carrying needless boxes and packages from  country to country. Is that really what you need?

An alternate packing option:

The items that are dearer to you, i. e. innerwear, favorite beverage, etc., should be placed in the center of the suitcase. Other items like sweaters, sweatpants, and pullovers, in other words clothes that do not tend to rumple, should be placed around them. On top you may put books, notebooks or CDs. After that, the other clothing may be packed that crumples, e. g. shirts and suits. Spare the borders for solid and non fragile things like shoes.

 Last of all you should pack the items that you may need as soon as you arrive at the airport. That way you will not be compelled to turn the whole suitcase over to find something.

  While packing you may put plastic bags in between your clothing : doing so will make them slide and will prevent them from wrinkling.

                                               AND FINALLY…

Be optimistic. Even if none of the above turns out to be useful during your packing, do not get anxious. If the worst comes to the worst, you can always take a second suitcase.

THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT WATER

They say an apple a day keeps   the doctor away, but what do eight glasses of  water do for us?  Stomach bloating aside, water does make several important contributions to the body. Almost every cell requires it to function properly and virtually every metabolic process thirsts for it. Roughly 55% to 75% of the human body is composed of water, and considering we lose about eight cups a day through breathing, sweating and bathroom breaks, it is critical to continually replenish the ingredient that makes your body go. Here are five things you didn’t know about water that will encourage you to finally start drinking those eight glasses a day.

1. It improves mental performance

If you can’t remember what was written in the introduction of this article, your brain might be parched. Since approximately 80% of brain tissues is  made of water, it is critical to keep your brain hydrated. Clinical tests have shown that dehydration decreases the performance of short-term memory and impairs concentration. The logic is fairly basic: Subtract the main ingredient from your brain and you will have functional problems. It’s like driving a car without oil. In the brain, water thins the fluids that carry proteins and enzymes, and helps deliver these nutrients to their destination. When the body is dehydrated, these  fluids are slower to make their rounds and mental performance is directly affected. Water also flushes the brain of free radicals, which damage cell architecture and further undermine operation.

2. It can prevent critical ailments

  Arthritis, cancer and heart disease are serious illnesses that affect millions of people, but you can possibly avoid being part of those statistics by drinking water. The clear stuff is a key constituent in cartilage, the spongy material that serves as padding where bones meet, and synovial fluid, the liquid around the joints that lubricates the area and works as a shock absorber. When there’s water aplenty, there is less friction around the joints, and therefore less arthritis. Also, when there’s  plenty of water in our system- although it means we’re often running to the little boys’ room  the body is being flushed of toxins. By reducing the amount of time that these toxins spend in contact with our colons and bladders, we decrease the chance of developing cancer. Water can make you rich and famous! Well, not quite, but check out these three other health benefits…

  Not only does water help transport the toxins out of our system, but it also cleanses the body of excessive salt. Several studies have linked high levels of salt high blood pressure, and high blood pressure to numerous heart disorders. Even bouts of heartburn can be prevented by ensuring that the digestive system is always properly hydrated. As water passes in and out of the body,  it prevents malevolent buildups that can lead to either a minor bug like a cold or a major malady like stroke or cancer.

3. It can help you lose weight

Hungry?  Try filling your stomach with a glass of H2O. It contains no calories or fat, and it is a proven appetite suppressant. More importantly, that glass of water can speed up your metabolism. Considering that nearly every process that takes place in the body requires water, it is simple to understand how everything slows down when your body is thirsty. Pouring in cup of water like shifting your car into a higher gear: More  water means a faster metabolism, which burns calories at an accelerated rate.  Studies have shown that after ingesting two cups of water, it takes 10 minutes to 40 minutes to kick-start your metabolism.  Once it’s going, however, you’ll burn calories at a 30% faster rate.  One study estimates that increasing water consumption by six cups a day would result in an average loss of 5.3   pounds of fat over the course of a year. Who says there are no shortcuts to losing weight?

4 .It  washes away cavities

They say a smile is worth a million bucks and it doesn’t cost cent. Well, the upkeep of your precious pearly whites is also more than affordable. We know that keeping your innards irrigated helps produce several important body fluids – including saliva, which wards off cavities.

Tooth decay stems from a buildup of acid,  which  eats away at tooth enamel, but saliva neutralizes this acid. It also contains special minerals that aid in tooth repair. As long as the body is hydrated – and you aren’t cramming too much candy into your mouth – you will have enough saliva to win the  and keep your teeth protected.

5. Drinking too much of it can lead to over hydration

It’s important to take your daily dose of water, but there’s no need to go overboard. Just think of it this way: Replenish the water that you lose. A regular person loses about two to three glasses of water through regular breathing and another one through sweating. Factor in a couple of bathroom breaks and a workout, and the body is already down eight glasses for the day. Focus on replacing the water that has been used. If you are planted on the couch watching Seinfeld reruns, don’t drown your insides. Overdosing occurs when you drink a lot more water than your body is expelling. When that occurs, the levels of sodium in your  body become unbalanced, which can lead to digestive problems, seizures or even coma. But don’t panic: A healthy adult would have to regularly consume about two gallons of water a day to become over hydrated.

Drink up—What peanuts are to peanut butter and oranges are to orange juice, water is to the human body. So make sure your body is replete with water and don’t hesitate to drink to your health. 

Resources: http://www.askmen.com

USING TOO MUCH OF ANY KIND OF PRODUCT IN YOUR HAIR RESULTS IN GUNKY HAIR

  Too much hair product

Though others have condemned it before, this crime against fashion is such a frequent and heinous one that it bears repeaing. Using too much of any kind of product in your hair results in gunk   hair, and no girl wants to run her hands through a head full of gel. Think about it :  if the situation were reversed, you most certainly wouldn’t want to have stiff, crunchy or gooey locks between your hands. Both sexes prefer soft, touchable hair, so find a way to make your style work without winding up with helmet head.

  In addition, it’s really not healthy for your hair to be doused in hundreds of chemicals on a daily basis, so lighten up.  For gels and  conditioners, you really only need a dime-size amount for your entire head. Use no more than a large marble-size amount of mousse and when it comes to hairspray, hold the can a good five inches from your tresses, making sure to mist only very lightly. Putties and waxes should also be used very sparingly in order to avoid a flattened, greasy look. If you’re really at a loss on how to style your hair without half a bottle of product, ask your stylist to show you next time you go in for a haircut.   

Welcome To Armenia

FASHION MISTAKES BY MEN

While woman make just as  many questionable style choices (tight jeans with muffin tops, anyone?) as men, there’s not as much help out there for guys who are innocently undermining their look. Although many fashion slips apply equally to both sexes, there are several that are very male-specific. Since it’s true that people’s first impression of us is often based on appearance, we decided to spend some time drowsing workplace, stores, cafes, and bars to uncover the most common fashion mistakes men make and let you in on how to avoid them and improve your personal presentation.
Read on to make sure you’re not committing any of these fashion crimes and find out how to correct your fashion faux pas if you recognize yourself  in any one of these blunders.

 French cuffs without cuff links

   Since it’s not necessary to wear most dress shirts with cuff links, many men seem to be unaware that shirts with French cuffs actually do need to be accompanied by cuff links. Essentially, French cuffs without cuff links are like a Playboy without the centerfold. If you have a shirt with French cuffs, cuff links are really the icing on the cake and will enhance your appearance by making you seem more presentable and smartly turned out. What’s more, since French-cuffed shirts are generally worn on more formal occasions, or at least in a business  environment, the purpose of  wearing  such a shirt is to look

polished-a feat that  is hard to accomplish when your sleeves are flapping about.

    For those times when you need to dress like a gentleman or want to make an elegant style statement, French cuff with some sweet cuff links peeking out from under the sleeve of your blazer are the way to go. And while it’s true that, in recent years, some very famous celebs have been spotted sporting French cuff sans cuff links, unless you’re Brad Pitt, you just won’t be able to get away with that in real life since everyone will just assume you don’t know how to dress yourself.

Make your own suit

   Creating your own suit refers to purchasing trousers and jackets as separates, and then combining them with little regard for whether or not. Just because both your jacket and pants are black, it does not mean they belong together. Fabric, cut and hue variations all play a huge role in determining whether or not two separately purchased items will complement each other. A wool blazer, for instance, will look terrible and cheap when paired with polyester dress pants, and vice versa. If you’re going to wear a suit, please make sure you bought the pieces as a set or you run the risk of seeming slightly ridiculous.

Trainers with everything

  Before you get angry and start leaving nasty comments, let us explain: While wearing uber-cool trainers with a suit can be hip and very attractive, it’s not OK to refuse to remove your trainers and insist that they go with everything you own. They don’t, and there are certainly times when a dressier look is called for and even preferred over something funkier. Plus, it’s a little boring to wear the same thing over and over. Part of having personal style is being able to mix things up occasionally and show others you can successfully work a variety of looks. Of course it’s not necessary to own as many pairs of shoes as most girls do, but you should own more than a couple of pairs of trainers, and you should certainly own at least one pair of dress shoes. You’ll need them for formal occasions or even for frequenting more upscale bars and clubs where a dress code is enforced. 

  

A SMALL PARADISE CALLED--- MUGHNI

  The sun in that place always greets visitors with a kiss. Time in that place comes to a halt. The church bells in that place make the flowers bow their heads. One of Armenia’s sacred sites is in that place, the Church of St. Gevorg in Mughni. 

            The Mughni church is surrounded by a heavenly garden maintained and taken care of by some village people, not for payment.

  While we were strolling in the courtyard and helping ourselves to the wet nuts of the walnut-tree, we were joined by the pastor of the church, Father Yeghishe  Barseghian. He told us that he takes part in the grape harvest every year and, as the church tradition has gone for centuries, performs the blessing of grapes in the courtyard of the monastery.

 In the Middle  Ages the monastery was quite famous for the relics of St. Gevorg (St. George), one of the Pan-Christian Saints. The church of St. Gevorg was built on the site of an earlier edifice as one of the remarkable structures of 17^th century Armenian architecture. The first reference to the church can be found in two records, the copies of which date back to 1278 and 1280. A perpetual fire burns near the relics of the Saint with an entrance limited to those who bear the name Gevorg. Only those people are allowed to add oil to the fire.

  The Monastery of Mughni was rebuilt in the 17^th century. From 1632-1655, the prior of the monastery, Bishop Martyros demolished the old church and built a new four-pillared church with adjacent structures and walls. Unfortunately, that church did not survive long since it was assembled with untreated stone. In 1664, the new prior of the monastery and the cousin of Bishop Martyros, Hovhannes, who was one of the outstanding religious figures of the time, sanctioned the complete demolition of the unsightly old church and proceeded with the construction of a new one with finished stone, sponsored by Hakob Jughayetsi. The construction was accomplished in 1670. The church we see today is in the shape it was built back then, only with partial renovations.

   The Church of St. Gevorg is located in the central part of the monastery complex enclosed within a mighty wall. Adjacent building stand closer to the walls including the refectory, the warehouse and a freshwater spring. The church itself is a rectangular domed basilica made of  tuffa  stone with incredible black and orange hues. Concurrently

With the church, the hall with the triple-dome rotund bell tower and  twelve pillars were built. Special attention was given to the tympanum of the western portal decorated with an ornament of luxuriant foliage and vases typical of West European baroque style, allegedly reflecting Armenia’s trade ties with Western Europe.

  Interestingly, as opposed to other medieval structures of this kind that have window openings towards the four corners of the world, the windows at Mughni do not obey this rule. The distinctive striped drum below the conical cupola is externally decorated with five belts of orange-red stones and, alternating above the windows, the carvings of the Cross and the symbols of the Four Evangelists; man, bull, lion and eagle.

   The Mysteries of Mughni 

   There are several cross- tones in the backyard. The oldest of them dates back to 932 and the newest one was carved in 1975. Mysteriously enough, this last “Khachkar” was placed in the yard at night, and therefore nobody knows who by.

    A secret passageway, one kilometer long, was built from Mughni to the Kasakh River canyon to serve for escape in dangerous situations, to save the manuscripts and to carry water to the monastery.

  In older times the church was a legendary sacred site. People with various diseases have healed themselves in the church. Allegedly, even Muslims have come here to make sacrifices.

   The Church of St. Gevorg has a Sunday school today. It also has a newspaper that leads the struggle with sectarianism. During our conversation, Father Yeghishe recalled that in older days it was extremely difficult to bring the Shlushkan Gospel (also know as the Mughni Gospel, 11^th century) to Mughni from Matenadaran, the institute and Museum of Ancient Manuscripts. Now it is brought every year. St. Gevorg’s Day is observed on the last Saturday of September.

  A nice tradition is observed here. Before deciding to get married, young couples visit the Church of St. Gevorg to get the Saint’s blessing and only then go home to break the news to their parents.

AFTER THE SUNSET

 Yerevan dresses up after the sunset to offer new realms of pleasure to its visitors. Treat the cool evening setting on the city as an invitation for a steoll. Maybe the walk would be more enjoyable if it were not for the lines of cars parked haphazardly along the sidewalks or the advertisement sheets wrapped around the lampposts. Surely, Yerevan is not perfect, but when you love, you love the imperfections too. With the fall  of the dark, go to the Republic Square to admire the singing fountanis that turn the heart of the city into a magical fairy tale with their dazzling sound and light effects.

  But if you feel that the evening still calls for continuation, you should change the place and the pace of your entertainment. Those who love to dance are advised to visit the Kami Club to dance the night away in a crazy whirlwind. The Giani Club will present the best singers in town, while at Malkhas Jazz Club, jazz fans will have the night of their life admiring the masterly performance of the Armenian jazz musicians.

  Yerevan may not be a megalopolis or a sea resort but it really is enchanting and enthralling with its amicability and hospitality. Like a mischievous child, it compels you to grow fond of it. This city meets every sunrise in a new way and gives a particle of its sunshine   to every visitor. 

    I love you, my Yerevan… 

THE "MOSCOW" CINEMA

 Construction began in the beginning of the 1930s by architects T. Yerkanyan and G. Kochar. Despite the obstacles posed by the government and various political parties, the construction was successfully completed in four years. The work that consumed so much energy and nervous tension was accomplished in 1936. The movie theater that was renamed into “Moscow” opened on December 6, 1936.

A major feature and a valuable asset of the building is that albeit a modern structure it is a quintessence of the secular architectural traditions of the nation.

Consisting of two 800 seat halls, cinema “Moscow” became an integral part of the everyday life of the citizens as one of the best movie theaters in the city. Today it is one of the esteemed venues in Yerevan.

THE CHURCH OF ST.PRTER AND PAUL

 The history has taken Yerevan through rise and fall, through flourishing and total devastation. The church of St. Peter and Paul that used to meet the spiritual demands of the citizens throughout  centuries has not been sufficiently studied due to unfavorable political events of the darker times, therefore very little evidence has reached us about this historic monument. The date of construction is not accurate, however historic evidence proves that its erection dates back to the 5-6 centuries.

The church   was demolished in the days of architect Tamanyan in 1931. All the stones were of course numbered and stored, but the church was never restored.

In the years to come, in the place of the church of St. Peter and Paul rose one of the best movie theaters of the city, which was later, named “ Moscow ". Fortunately, the building is one of the most vivid exemplars of the Armenian urban architecture.

GETHSEMANE CHAPEL AND THE OPERA HOUSE

 The location of the National House of Opera and Ballet after Alexander Spendiaryan was determined in advance in the floor plan of the city. The citizens of   Yerevan were having hard time considering that these outskirts were later to become part of the future public center of Yerevan.  Tamanyan started working on the project of the Opera House on 1 August, 1926.Along with the design  work, the architect had to resolve a number of issues associated with the territory afforded for the future Opera House, the most agonizing of them being the Gethsemane Chapel.

Gethsemane was the garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives where, according to the New Testament and Christian traditions, Jesus watched, prayed, and suffered for the sins of the world the night before he was crucified. The chapel on the outskirts of Yerevan was named  Gethsemane  probably because it was literally buried in orchards. It was built in 1679 on the spot where an older church was ruined by the earthquake. The chapel was a small single-nave, vaulted structure with no cupola.

The location selected for the construction of the Opera House was such that it was impossible to bypass the chapel, therefore Tamanyan made a decision to dislodge it. In 1929 the chapel was   unbricked  and each stone was numbered. Sadly, the political situation in Armenia was not very favorable at that time for reconstruction of spiritual edifices and the chapel was never rebuilt. Instead,   today   the  place accommodates one of the most essential cultural centers for Armenians, the National Opera. Entering that building one finds   himself in a glorious temple of art.

Today, the two spacious halls of the National House of Opera and Ballet,

i. e. the Concert   Hall   after Aram Khachaturyan and  Opera House a large variety of cultural events by famous Armenian musicians and foreign cultural workers alike. You can be a part of it if you like…   

CULTURE

The Caucasus region and Armenia in particular have been cited by scholars as the place where rug and carpet weaving originated. Armenians continue this tradition, and one can find many shops specializing in fine new and old rugs and carpets. At the weekend flea market, rug sellers lay out their eye-catching merchandise filled with appealing colors and designs. At the same market, you will come across loads of charming handicrafts that will be hard to resist purchase. Visitors to Armenia find handmade crafts, Armenian gold, precious and semi-precious stones which inspire jewelers in many regions. Obsidian stone is used for jewelry, desk accessories, and decorative items. Carpet making is not only a fine art, but Kilim weaving, for example, is applied to clothing items, bags, and home furnishings. Wood carvings replicate the ancient stone crosses (khachkars) found throughout the country, and no two are exactly alike. Armenian crafts couple elegant utility and delightful whimsy in textiles, ceramics, metal and woodworking.

 Armenia is often referred to as an open air museum. Tourists find over 4,000 historical monuments throughout Armenia, covering various periods of the country's history from prehistoric to Hellenistic times, and from the early to medieval Christian era. The Armenians created their masterpieces during rare periods of peace and relative prosperity over the centuries. Within Yerevan alone there are more than 40 fine arts museums and galleries.

YEREVAN

   In 1926-1932 Yerevan was restored to life again, maintaining the precious values of the past centuries. An unprecedented civil construction process started in the city administered by architect developed the master plans for the towns and cities of the republic and first of all, the capital city Yerevan. According to the plan, the capital was designed to unfold in the central part of the Yerevan valley, from Kanaker heights and Nork towards the threshold of the Ararat Valley, right opposite the Mount Ararat.

  Tamanyan breathed a new life and beauty into the city. His entire work is a tribute to architecture, demonstrating that architecture is not merely a specialty but also ART.

BIG BEN IN LONDON AND IN YEREVAN IT IS

  Big Ben is unconditionally the most famous Clock on the planet. Big Ben, the “Voice of  London”, has been telling the time to the second since 1859. Construction of the 96 m clock tower began in the year Queen Victoria came to the throne, 1837, as apart of   the reconstruction of the Houses of Parliament following the devastating fire of 1834. Clock    Designer, Sir Edmund Grimthorpe,  the  architect and clockmaker died before the 13 1/2ton bell was mounted behind the four clock faces, which each measure7 m in diameter. The Armenian “Big Ben” and   its chime have a remarkable history, too. If you are   interested  to  know the  details, we can embark on a tip and find ourselves in the Republic Square of the city of Yerevan, where the “Square Clock’’ proudly rises on the facade of the  Govermment Building adjacent to the Nalbandyan Street to represent a beloved meeting point for many of the citizens  and a unique architectural monument.

The “ Square Clock’’ was transported to Yerevan from Moscow in 1941 by engineer Maglushevsky. The present location of the Clock was chosen by architect Alexander Tamanyan.  Many people who pass by the Clock and hear its sound never even realize what it looks like on the inside.

They say that the most ingenious ideas are the simplest ones.

The Clock in Yerevan is an electromagnetic device run by 56 batteries that are installed in the upper   portion of the Clock and transmit impulses to the five bells. Every hour the bells strike the first four notes of the Armenian anthem. An interesting story is told about the note D: it was misplaced and upon a permission from the Armenian Catholicos Vazgen A, note D was replaced by F, which was retained at that time in the Church of St. Zoravor in Yerevan. The hourly count is performed by the biggest bell of the Armenian “Big Ben”, A. 

THE MOUNT ARARAT

When an Armenian buys or builds a house of his own he tries to position the building in such a way that it provide a view of the biblical Mount Ararat at least from a single window. Surprising as it may seem, Ararat can be viewed from nearly all the   locations in the city of Yerevan. In  a favorable weather one can stop virtually anywhere to admire the beauty of  one  of the  most picturesque sights in the world, that of Ararat , an astounding, mysterious  and powerful mountain that has unquestionably been a symbol of Armenia in all times.

THE ARMENIAN DUDUK

Duduk is another fine representation of the people. This single or double reed wind instrument made of the wood of the apricot tree was unknown to the world until the recent times, yet it has become quite popular during the last decade. You can hear the sounds of duduk in a number of European and Hollywood movies even though this instrument has truly Armenian origin. Duduk has a warm, soft, slightly nasal timbre. Its sound is poignant and heartrending. It conveys the pain and suffering that befell on Armenia and its people throughout its entire history. 

THE APRICOT

   From time immemorial Armenia has been associated with apricot. The thing is that there was a time when this fruit grew only in this area. This is evidenced by  the fact that in Latin the name of the apricot is spelt out “malum armeniacum” meaning Armenian apple. This was the name given to apricot by the Old Romans. Summer is the season of apricots. In that period the yield of apricot exceeds that of all the other fruits. Apricot is a fruit you never get tired of. You can have tons and of it without ever getting enough. Therefore, it would be a big mistake to visit Armenia and never taste the apricot.

THE LAVASH BREAD

Lavash contains the history, the pain and the glory of an entire nation. You can lay the table with lavash, you can survive with lavash and you can take pride in lavash. Lavash is an important part of rations in every Armenian family. It is baked strictly in accordance with the old Armenian tradition, in a stone oven beneath the ground level, called “tonir”. The dough is made of wheat flour, water, salt and leaven. The baked bread is left to rest and dry in the sun for one or two hours, then collected and stored. Lavash is traditionally 60-70 centimeters long, 30-40 centimeters wide and 1.5-3 millimeters thick. It is easily digestible and highly nutritious in several regions of Armenia, specifically in the Ararat Valley, people bake lavash in autumn, dry it and store it for use during the entire winter season. To use lavash after drying, you just need to sprinkle some water on it and wrap it in a clean cloth. In a couple of minutes you will have your lavash bread soft and fresh again.

Many songs,  poems and stories have been dedicated to lavash; therefore we can proudly consider it one of the icons of Armenia.