Greetings!
Today was a tour of Tblisi, a city on the crossroads between Europe and Asia, north and south, east and west. Five thousand years old, it's been invaded by Arabs and Persians, Mongols and Central Asians. Only really controlled by its own people briefly in the 12th century and for the last 25 years, it seems to be blending foreign investment and local entrepreneurial spirit well.
The usual fortress wall surrounds an old city, outside of which is everything 20th century. Unique architecture and art abound. Mountains frame, and rivers wind throughout There are churches for everyone, closed by the Russians, and reconstructed well since independence.
We rode across the City, high above the river, in an arial cable car.
Once on the mountaintop, we walked to the "Mother of Georgia" statue. Holding a sword in one hand, a wine bowl (biala) in the other. Sounds like she's willing to fight for her agricultural heritage.
Built by the Soviets (there's one in every territory the took over), she really stands for the variety of Buntucki, Tubals, Mushkai, Kashkai, and Maskhi who walked this part of the world over the past eight thousand years.
We had lunch in the old city, at the Marakesh Express (great humus), and are skipping dinner tonight to go to the Opera House to see the Georgian Ballet.
To see the photos we took today, click on:
Saturday, May 14th
Built by the Soviets (there's one in every territory the took over), she really stands for the variety of Buntucki, Tubals, Mushkai, Kashkai, and Maskhi who walked this part of the world over the past eight thousand years.
To see the photos we took today, click on:
Saturday, May 14th
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