Wait why was Armenia horrifying??
My father wants me to travel there with him sometime-
(Neither of us are Armenian)
I know this is three years later but for the record, there's nothing wrong with Armenia. I met some wonderful friends and mentors there. I also experienced trauma which is why I associate it with bad things, but as the years go on I learn to disassociate with the bad as much as possible and relearn my decades long appreciation with new and deeper knowledge. Armenia is very safe, as much as anywhere, thing is no where is perfectly safe. I went alone, though yes with a group technically but really alone, and quite mentally unwell and easily exploitable -- and with being a mentally ill woman under capitalism comes danger, even among "your own people." I hate that the association with Armenia for me became tainted, but I'm glad to be growing out of it slowly, finally. Please go, you will meet wonderful people.