Saturday, November 13, 2010

Dilijan, Armenia


If Yerevan is the mind of Armenia, then Dilijan, about 60 miles north of Armenia's capital, is the nation's heart.  This town of 16,000 is a world away from Yerevan.  Old stone and wood houses make for a soothing walk.  Surrounded by Dilijan are square miles after square miles of farms, at which produce including walnuts, stone fruits, pomegranates, and grains are grown--making Armenia a rich center for agriculture.  Some food processing occurs here, and there is a smidgen of services: the Central Bank of Armenia is reported to move many of there operations here by 2013.

Dilijan is a microcosm of what Armenia is now and what it could be:  a balance between the old sectors like agriculture, and services, of which outsourcing could bring jobs to a population that is highly skilled but needs the right opportunities in order to make a decent living.

The following pictures were taken in our 2003 visit.  Enjoy!

A door to Dilijan
An view of Dilijan
The architectural features make Dilijan rich

A chat with some locals
Stone wall with a hint of patina
Street scene, Dilijan

another view of Dilijan

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