Ep 2. Armenia

Conan Without Borders is a travel documentary series where comedian Conan O'Brien takes viewers along on his adventures around the world. Each episode has him traveling to a new country, meeting locals, trying new foods and experiences, and learning about the culture of each place.

In season 1 episode 2, titled "Armenia," Conan travels to the land of Mount Ararat, an ancient land with a rich history and culture. He starts his journey in Yerevan, the capital city, where he marvels at the stunning architecture, vibrant street scenes and meets the locals to learn their traditions.

Conan's first stop in Armenia is the city's market where he is amazed by the diversity of flavors and spices on offer. He samples some of the unique Armenian specialties, including bastirma, a type of cured beef, and lavash, a traditional flatbread. He gets into a friendly argument with the vendor, who claims that the Armenian lavash is the best in the world, but Conan declares he has to try all the other lavash out there before making any judgement.

Later, Conan meets up with a local family who welcomes him into their home to experience the Armenian way of life. He joins in their daily routine, helping the women prepare meals while the men play traditional chess games. Conan also learns about the importance of music in Armenian life, and ends up jamming with a group of young musicians who play the ancient duduk (a woodwind instrument) and the zurna (a double-reed instrument).

Next, Conan heads out to the countryside, where he travels to the majestic Mount Ararat and takes in the breathtaking views of the snow-capped peaks and the Armenian landscape. He meets with a local guide who tells him the story of Noah's Ark and how it is believed to have landed on Ararat's summit.

But it's not just the scenery that makes Armenia special. As Conan discovers, Armenia has a rich history of winemaking, dating back thousands of years. Conan visits a winery where he meets a winemaker who gives him a crash course in the art of wine tasting, and shares the secret to the perfect blend of sweet and tart flavors that make Armenian wine so unique.

Conan's journey also takes him to the center of Armenian Christianity, Etchmiadzin, where he visits one of the oldest and most respected churches in the world. The cathedral, built in the early 4th century, holds significant importance to Armenians as it is said to contain a piece of the cross on which Jesus was crucified. Conan learns from a local religious scholar about the significance of Armenian Apostolic Church, its origins and its traditions.

The episode ends with Conan returning to Yerevan and attending an outdoor concert that showcases traditional Armenian music and dance, with a breathtaking backdrop of the illuminated Cascade stairs. Conan joins in the fun by taking some Armenian dance lessons, which proves difficult for the not-so-graceful comedian.

Overall, the episode gives a truly insightful and entertaining glimpse into Armenia, both its history and its present. The viewer is transported to this land of ancient history, scenic beauty, and friendly people, all with Conan's comedic twist.