Unseen Armenia: My Young Hiking Guides – Unforgotten

BY HOVSEP DAGDIGIAN

After deciding to turn back from my hike up a wooded dirt road to the Teghenyats Monastery in the village of Bujhakan, we asked some villagers if someone with a WAZ (a Russian jeep-like vehicle) would be willing to take us to the monastery. We, of course, would pay for fuel expenses. A couple of cell phone calls later a driver with what resembled a WWII US Jeep showed up. After a 20-minute very rough drive we arrived at the monastery. The monastery, on a hill surrounded by trees, dates from the 6-7th C and operated through the 12th C. On site are remains of various structures including remnants of the church, a bakery, a dining hall, and a large number of intricately carved stones. Our driver indicated that there are other monasteries nearby. But, he added, the most practical way to get to them is on horseback.

Back in the village of Bujhakan, with fields of bright green cabbage, I asked if there were any historic sites within the village. “Just remnants of an old churchâ€