This photo of the Armenian Cowboy was taken in Nagorno-Karabakh. Earlier in the day we visited Gandzasar Monastery, a beautiful 13th century hilltop Armenian monastery.  A few miles down the road from the monastery, at  junction in the road, we tried to hitch a ride on a country road north to Dadivank Monastery complex.  After a few hours waiting, no vehicles passed. We gave up and decided to pitch our tent in a nearby river valley. After taking a dip in the river and lighting a fire, this Armenian cowboy came down off the hillside with his cattle.

The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is an unrecognized, de facto independent state established within the territory of Azerbaijan.

Photo and story by Stephen Bugno