It is always interesting to finally find oneself in a place where you thought too scenic to be true, and to share that excitement with fellow travelers.
Georgia is offering some of the best landscapes and dishes I’ve experienced. But it certainly must not be the end of the story- this relatively small country seems to have a long and complex history. And some of the not-so-smooth experiences I had so far seem to be turning themselves into some initial hints through which I can get a better peek into the lives of the modern Georgians.
@ Gergeti church, Kazbegi, Georgia, November 12, 2019
At first, the fame of the cave town of Uplistsikhe brought us here, but it was only when we took a detour away from the crowd, has the area become part of our personal memory.
More than the scenic view in front, the feeling of the mildly scary cliff where we sat on, and the fading footsteps of the herd were what we enjoyed for a long while. I was convinced once again that I’ve already had a sufficiently good life, since I have quite a few of such memories that I can recall for a long time.
@ Uplistsikh cave town, Georgia, November 10, 2019
Signaghi is a small town around 110km East of Tbilisi. Although it’s one of the most popular destinations for travelers to Georgia, it was much smaller and quieter than I had imagined, with only about 1,500 residents.
Next to the town center, there was pretty much one short street where you can find the majority of vendors with local products. It seemed that they are sitting there so that anyone who wants to walk to the Signaghi Wall, a major destination there, has to walk by the stands. Having been the low-season, there was no other traveler around, so my steps were heavy while all the vendors were giving me ‘looks of hope’.
@ Signagi სიღნაღი, Georgia, November 14, 2019
On my way to Batumi, I could have skipped Kutaisi. But having been the capital city of an ancient kingdom and of the Kingdom of Georgia, I was tempted to get a glimpse of it. During the three days and two nights’ stay in the city, it kept raining. On the last day, however, I finally stepped out for a walk around the city center when the sky was ‘having a break’. But it was only after an hour or so when I was suddenly caught in a shower. And I saw the people gathering under the roof of a bus stop while maintaining their attention to the endlessly arriving marshrutkas (mini-buses).
@ Kutaisi, Georgia, December 1st, 2019
During my daily trips to a supermarket in Batumi, I was often impressed by the sight of hanging clothes in different shapes and sizes. It was witnessing of an unintended harmony, created by small pieces of often challenging individual lives. I haven’t had any close Georgian friends there, but I believe it gives a peek into the personality of the people and the community.
@ Batumi, Georgia, January 11, 2020