Russian blogger's disappointing impressions of visit to Armenia Every second tries to “scam for money”

A Russian traveller-blogger recently visited Armenia and shared her experiences of how the country has changed since her last trip, a year and a half ago.

She posted her story on her personal blog titled "Tut vam ne tam" on the platform Dzen, Caliber.Az reports.

In her post, the author expressed frustration, noting that during this visit, almost every second person attempted to "scam her for money." She described how nearly every vendor was desperately trying to sell something, and even a woman near Lake Sevan was aggressively asking tourists for money.

"One elderly lady shook her cup in front of every tourist climbing the stairs to the monastery, demanding money. When we walked by, she shouted at us: 'I love you, give me money!'" the traveller recounted.

The blogger also observed that life in the former Soviet republic has become significantly more expensive, with rising costs for both goods and services.

"If you still think Armenia is cheap, forget it. During my last visit, it seemed like eating at a café was cheaper than back home, but not this time," she explained.

A local resident informed the traveller that the influx of Russians into the country has caused rental prices to skyrocket. Apartments in Yerevan are now easily rented for $1,000 a month, she was told.

The traveller's story reflects a broader trend of rising costs in Armenia, with both locals and visitors feeling the pinch.

By Khagan Isayev