Armenia

I landed in Armenia's capital, Yerevan, very late at night. I took a taxi from the airport, but ended up getting dropped off at the wrong location, leaving me wandering the dark streets trying to find my hotel. I found one man and asked him for directions. Instead of pointing me the right way, he told me to get in his car, drove me directly there, and refused to accept any money. It was the perfect introduction to Armenia and its famous hospitality.

I'd planned to explore the country alone, but while traveling through Georgia, I'd met a couple from New York, Bhavik and his wife, Samyu, who also happened to be heading to Armenia. Over the next few days, we explored the country together, visiting the ancient Temple of Garni, the shores of Lake Sevan, and some of Armenia's beautiful mountain landscapes. I also enjoyed spending time in Yerevan, which had a modern, lively energy and was a great city to wander.

My memories of Armenia are wonderful, but what mattered most wasn’t any particular place. It was a stranger who drove out of his way at midnight and wouldn’t take a dollar for it. It was Bhavik and Samyu, who turned a solo trip into a shared one. Armenia was just one more example that the best travel memories are rarely about where you are. They’re about who you’re with.