Expatriates Forums in Armenia

How Women Can Look Good in the Gym ?

jasmine007 — Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:51 pm

Author: jasmine007

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:51 pm

Hello friends

The following tips are are for those gorgeous girls and mature women who spend their quality time in Gym to look the same outside of the Gym as well ?
Have Fun ....

1. Throw out your bodysuits and leg warmers

Avoid oversized shirts and shorts. While these items might feel comfortable they tend to make you look unkept and can be hazardous if they get caught in an exercise machine. If you want to look your absolute best, choose outfits that fit your body well and are in colors that flatter you.

2. Choose clothing that is made for exercise
The t-shirt and jeans that you wear are not be suitable for the gym. Workout clothes are designed to keep sweat and moisture away from the body. Cotton t-shirts, while breathable, can keep moisture close to the skin. Jeans similarly trap moisture next to the body and are also too restricting. Instead, shop for fitness wear that is made to be quick drying and moisture wicking. Look for items with polyester, spandex, and mesh ventilation panels.

3. Wear a good sports bra

An important part of looking good in the gym is wearing a good sports bra. Working out can include alot of jumping and running, activities that can cause breast jiggle and discomfort. If you are heavy breasted, look for sports bras with wide straps that provide good support. Make sure they are made of breathable fabrics to avoid chafing.

4. Wear footwear appropriate for your workout
Look for shoes that are appropriate for your exercise routine. Exercise footwear is designed to be activity specific. If you are a runner, look for a good running shoe. If you are an aerobics fanatic, pick a sneaker that is made for aerobic workouts. Picking the right shoe for your activity will guarantee you get the support you need and help you avoid injury.

5. Avoid wearing jewelry

As a general rule, your jewelry should not be a part of your workout ensemble. While you might want to keep your wedding band on, wearing too many rings can make it difficult to grab weights or handles on exercise machines.

Follow these simple tips and you will not only look good inside and out of the gym, but you will enjoy a successful workout too.

SHOPPING IN ARMENIA / ARMENIA SHOPPING GUIDE

Armenia Info — Mon May 07, 2007 4:27 am

Author: Armenia Info

Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 4:27 am

SHOPPING IN ARMENIA

General

Although Armenia’s economy is still relatively undeveloped, new shops are now opening. The Vernisaj flea market in Yerevan attracts sellers of all kinds of goods and is popular with tourists.

Yerevan's arts and crafts shops are a reflection of the burgeoning tourist and art industries in Armenia. In the shops you can find souvenirs made of wood, clay, obsidian as well as ethnic and traditional examples of pottery, jewellery boxes, dolls and many other hand made souvenirs. For the Armenian craftsperson, stone and wood are not merely seen as inanimate and utilitarian building materials, but as blank canvases on which these artists can realise the creations in their mind's eye. Hand made carved vases and jewellry boxes made from the wood of plum, apricot, and walnut are plentiful in the crafts shops of Armenia and will impress visitors with their workmanship and style. Exquisite wood carvings - replicas of the famed ancient stone crosses (khachkars) which dot the Armenian countryside, are also prevalent as souvenirs. Gold, precious and semi-precious stones provide inspiration for jewellers throughout Armenia country, while the alluring obsidian stone is another staple used in jewellery, desk accessories, and decorative items. Jewellery traditions in Armenia date back to ancient times.

A beautiful green park during the weekdays, Saryan Park transforms into an outdoor exhibition of paintings on the weekends, with artists often acting as salespeople of their original creations. The Painters' Vernissage is a cornerstone in the mosaic of the cultural life of Yerevan. Yerevan's Vernissage was established in the 1980s by Armenian artists who wanted to bring fruits of their labor directly to the people. Originally located the square in front of the Union of Armenian Artists, the Vernissage moved to the park around the Sarian Monument across from the Opera Square, an implicit tribute to the legendary painter. On week-ends, the lawns in the park disappear under rows of paintings, while people wander the corridors between them, appreciating and purchasing the high-quality artistic creations.

The pag shuka is the largest market in downtown Yerevan. Fresh produce, meat and preserves are sold here.

Visitors to Armenia are often thrilled to find the plentiful displays of market-fresh produce and foodstuffs, which are unveiled by private vendors daily. The fresh fruits, dried fruits, nuts and vegetables of Armenia enjoy a much-deserved reputation and are easy to shop for at any neighbourhood food market. Vendors in open markets will entice the prospective shopper with their wares, luring them with homemade wafer-thin sheets of fruit rolls, and various dried fruit and nut combinations, not to mention the seasonal assortment of fresh produce at the time, which can include apricots, figs, mulberries, and pomegranates, to name just a few.

Food markets offer Armenia's national folded, unleavened bread, "lavash", which is used as a soft wrap for meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Food markets also offer fresh meat, fish, various kinds of homemade cheese (including goat cheese) and other milk products (including Armenian yogurt, or "matzoun"), and many other tasty treats.

Shopping hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1700. Shops stay open longer in the summer.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1500. Exchange Offices are open until midnight and also operate at weekends and on public holidays.

Currency

Armenian Dram (AMD) = 100 luma. Dram notes are printed in denominations of AMD50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 25 and 10. Coins are in denominations of AMD500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 1, and 50 and 20 luma.

Note: The Government is intending to phase out all banknotes less than AMD500.

Currency exchange

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at the airports, banks and most hotels and shops during normal opening hours. US Dollars are the most widely recognized foreign currency. Visitors using the national currency are advised to carry plenty of small change as some shops and, particularly markets, may be unable to accept large denominations.

Credit & debit cards

Major credit cards are accepted in most cities. ATMS are available in major cities.

Traveller's cheques

These are accepted in a few shops and hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Currency restrictions

The import of local and foreign currency is unlimited, however cash amounts in excess of $10,000 or equivalent must be declared. The export of local and foreign currency is unlimited, however cash amounts in excess of US$10,000 or equivalent are prohibited and must be transferred via a bank.

FOOD & DINING IN ARMENIA / ARMENIA DINING GUIDE

Armenia Info — Mon May 07, 2007 4:13 am

Author: Armenia Info

Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 4:13 am

FOOD & DINING IN ARMENIA

GENERAL

A restaurant and cafe culture is starting to flourish again in Armenia, with street stalls and privately run establishments replacing the colourless state restaurants typical of the Soviet era. New cafes and restaurants open daily. Many of the cafes are in parks, and are very popular in summer with locals and tourists alike.

Much of Armenian cooking is based on lamb, either grilled and served as shashlik with flat bread, or prepared as soup (the most popular being bozbash, a dish which exists in infinite variations) or stew, often in combination with fruit or nuts. A meal usually starts with a large spread of hors d’oeuvres, which may include peppers and vine leaves stuffed with rice and meat, pickled and fresh vegetables, salty white sheep’s cheese eaten with fresh green herbs and flat bread, and various kinds of cured meat (basturma).

During the season following the grape harvest, locals sell effervescent, mildly fermented grape juice from roadside stands. Armenia is also abundant in all kinds of sweet-tasting fruits, from figs to pomegranates to quince. Coffee is served Turkish-style – strong and black in tiny cups – although in view of national sensibilities, visitors would be ill-advised to refer to this cultural similarity.

National specialties

• Sharots (Sujukh) is cooked with grape juice and a dark cherry-coloured syrup called doshab.

• Lavash is a think, paper-like bread.

• Shampours are skewers that are jam-packed with all kinds of marinated meat and vegetables

• Delectable walnut jam (popok muraba).

• Tolma (vegetables, grape leaves and lentils).

• Ghapama is pumpkin stew with rice, raisins, apples and cinnamon.

• Khash is a national institution rather than just a dish, with poems and songs throughout the centuries being composed in homage to it: in case you are wondering, khash is a delicious broth made from hamhocks and herbs and served with lots of garlic and bread.

• K'rchik is pickled cabbage cooked with wheat kernels.

• Among Armenia's many varieties of fresh fish available, try steamed Ishkhan (lake trout).

• Almost magical, health-giving properties are ascribed to dried apricots from the Caucasus.

• For dessert, eat a dish made from grape juice, dried into thin sheets of a deep, reddish brown colour, and then rolled up into long cylinders around walnuts or other nuts.

National drinks

• Brandies are exceptional (Dvin).

• Kotayk and Kihikia are Armenian beers worth giving a go.

• Armenian wine is well worth tasting: the Areni red wine is particularly lauded and many are semi- sweet or dessert wines and are world-renowned.

Legal drinking age: There is no minimum.

Tipping: Expected by waiters and doormen in restaurants – sometimes in advance to ensure service.

PLACES TO DINE

Ai Leoni
40 Toumanian Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 538-331/ 530-892
E-mail: aileoni@web.am
Website: www.aileoni.am

Ani
19 Sayat Nova Avenue,
Ani Plaza Hotel,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 594-531/ 589-500
E-mail: info@anihotel.com
Website: www.anihotel.com

Arma
275 Norki Ayginer Street,
Arma Hotel,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 546-000/ 581-843/ 522-779
E-mail: hotel@arma.am
Website: www.arma.am

Armenian Brasserie
Republic Square,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 599-000/ 599-248
Fax: (+374 10) 599001
E-mail: armenia.marriott@hotelmail.r.am
Website: www.marriott.com/EVNMC

Avan Villa Yerevan
13 Nork Marash Street,
Building 16,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 547-888/ 543-122/ 542-707
E-mail: hotels@tufenkian.am
Website: www.tufenkianheritage.com

Aviatrans
4 Abovian Street,
Aviatrans Hotel,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 567-228
Fax: (+374 10) 584-442
E-mail: hotel@aviatrans.am
Website: www.aviatrans.am

Bacchus
29 Tumanian Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 564-600/ 620
E-mail: bacchus@netsys.am

Bellini
3 Amiryan Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 545-900/ 400
E-mail: info@bellini.am
Website: www.bellini.am

Bravo
13 Hrachya Kochar Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 270-610
E-mail: art-zebra@netsys.am
Website: www.bravo-restaurant.com

Caucasus Tavern
82 Hanrapetutyan Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 561-177/ 562-614
E-mail: caucasus@arminco.com

Cucina Italian Restaurant
1 Amiryan Street,
Republic Square,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 599-000/ 248
Fax: (+374 10) 599-001
E-mail: armenia.marriott@hotelmail.r.am
Website: www.marriott.com/EVNMC

Dolmama
10 Pushkin Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 568-931/ 561-354
E-mail: dolmam@arminco.com

Hrazdan
72 Dzorapi Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 531-511/ 535-332
E-mail: info@hotelhrazdan.am
Website: www.hotelhrazdan.am

Matador
40 Myasnikian Avenue,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 524-000
E-mail: valensiareservation@xgroup.am
Website: www.valensiahotel.com

Noy
7 Grigor Lusavorich Street,
Ararat Hotel,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 510-000
E-mail: info@ararathotel.am
Website: www.ararathotel.am

Old Erivan
2 Northern Avenue,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 540-575/ 588-855
E-mail: olderivan@netsys.am
Website: www.olderivan.am

Olympia
56 Barbius Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 277-424/ 271-850/ 826
Fax: (+374 10) 271-850
E-mail: info@olympia.am
Website: www.olympia.am

Phoenicia
3 Tamanyan Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 561-894
E-mail: info@phoenicia.am
Website: www.phoenicia.am

Rossini
14 Abovian Street,
Golden Tulip Yerevan Hotel,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 589-400
E-mail: info@goldentuliphotelyerevan.com
Website: www.goldentuliphotelyerevan.com

Square One
1/3 Abovyan Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 566-169/ 546-414
E-mail: eat@squareone.am
Website: www.squareone.am

Water World
40 Myasnikian Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 649-730/ 524-000
E-mail: valensiahotel@valensiahotel.am
Website: www.waterworld.am

Zangou
1 Kievian Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 276021/ 071/ 225-030
Fax: (+374 10) 225-030
E-mail: andako@netsys.am

NIGHTLIFE IN ARMENIA / ARMENIA NIGHTLIFE GUIDE

Armenia Info — Mon May 07, 2007 3:43 am

Author: Armenia Info

Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 3:43 am

NIGHTLIFE IN ARMENIA

GENERAL

Nightlife in Yerevan is varied. There are numerous bars, pubs, discos and nightclubs. On the road to Echmiadzin there is a strip of small casinos.

You can eat really great everywhere, which also is the most favourite way of going out with Armenians. The only real bar kinds of things are Cheers on Sakharov Square, and the Irish Pub on Sayat Nova. The in-crowd that goes dancing is not really big, you'll recognise most people soon. Three popular places to go dancing are Relax, Cheers and Bunker.

Opera, theatre and ballet performances are of a high standard, and tickets are cheap (about the equivalent of US$5). Armenians love music, from the traditional, liturgical songs (Sharakans) with distinctive musical instruments, to contemporary jazz and pop. There will often be venues accommodating for this at night. There are often concerts at the Philharmonic, Chamber Music Hall and Opera & Ballet House in Yerevan.

PLACES TO UNWIND

Bunker
12 Sayat Nova Avenue,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 562-504

Charlotte Cabaret
25 Baghramyan Avenue,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 277-020
E-mail: info@charlotte.am
Website: www.charlotte.am

Cheers
48 Nalbandyan Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 580-416
E-mail: cheerspubyerevan@yahoo.com
Website: www.geocities.com/cheerspubyerevan

Club 12
Student Park (between Abovyan and Teryan Street),
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 528-322
E-mail: club12@inbox.ru

Coliseum Club (Sayat-Nova Complex)
33A Sayat Nova Avenue,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 580-033
Fax: (+374 10) 587-706
E-mail: sayatnova33@yahoo.com

Garage Club
54/3 Abovyan Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 525-696

Horoscope
12 Parpetsi Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 539-902
E-mail: first@arminco.com

L'Orange Lounge Bar
21 Tumanyan Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 528-293
E-mail: info@lorange.am
Website: www.lorange.am

Meline's Bar
30 Aram Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 564-414/ 544-644
Website: www.melinesbar.narod.ru

Omega
59 Teryan Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 582-549/ 527-993
Fax: (+374 10) 562-721
E-mail: omega@omega.am
Website: www.omega.am

Pyramidа
20/2 Sayat Nova Avenue,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 526-902/ 560-757
Fax: (+374 10) 580-626
E-mail: info@pyramida.am
Website: www.pyramida.am

Relax
105/1 Teryan Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 514-347

Shamrock Tavern
1A Saryan Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 91) 788-197
E-mail: theshamrocktavern@yahoo.ie

"Stop" Music Club
37 Moskovian Street,
Yerevan
Phone: (+374 10) 560-780
E-mail: info@stopclub.am
Website: www.stopclub.am