Travel The World

A nice picture to start off the new year.

I wish you all the best in the new year.  I can't imagine how the next year will be better than this year was, but I will strive to make it happen.

This is the entrance to the street.

An interesting statue at the beginning of Rustaveli street.

A person I know recently arrived in Georgia and is working for an NGO in a rural area.  The other day, she reported she was hiking near the town she works in and ran into a Georgian family out for a stroll as well.  They couldn't speak English but communicated they wanted her to follow them and was eventually led back to their village.  At that point, they offered her food and invited the neighbors over and made her the center of attention for the whole village!  She said she ate so much that it was difficult to walk home!  I wasn't surprised because I have been the recipient of Georgian hospitality many times just not in such a rural setting.  To tell you the truth, I'm a little jealous of her experience.  Those were the days!

they have a McDonald's although, I must say, this one is very architecturally pleasing.

I love the cobblestone streets.  They bring back a bygone era.

. . . from my time in Georgia.  These bring back really good memories of the neighborhood I lived in while there.

Well, I can't think of a better gift than this to give all the viewers of this blog. 

I wish a Merry Christmas to all my family, friends, and anyone else reading this site.  Take care and see you in the new year.

Taken near the town of Lechkhumi in Western Georgia.  Notice the color of the mountain.

A church in a small town in Western Georgia.

A friend of mine sent this picture to me yesterday.  It is a mountain scene in Western Georgia!

. . . of the cathedral and then I will move on to another topic.  I just can't get enough of these pictures.  They remind me of a very special day in Georgia with good friends.

I love the frescoe on the wall.  Other pictures of the structure were posted earlier.

The wedding was taking place inside the church and seemed to be part of the attraction as many tourists were snapping pictures.  I was reluctant to do the same but my Georgian friends assured me that the wedding couples would not mind.

inside Sameba Church.  Isn't this absolutely stunning?

I think this is a very good picture.  I can't believe I didn't post it before.

Actually, this guy was filming the church (as seen in the posts below), but for the life of me, I can't understand why he chose that location from which to film.  Any theories???

. . . that so perfectly symbolizes Georgia.

Here is another structure across from the church.

Help me!  Today's my first day back to work here in the US.  Oh well, I'm in training this week so that will allow me to break back in slowly.

I love the way the sidewalk displays the church's reflection!

as a coping mechanism.  I still miss T'bilisi and my friends but this picture at 6am from my balcony makes me feel a bit better.

My dear friend sent me this link for Georgian recipes.  Now, I can eat all the Georgian food I want!!!  But who will cook it for me :,( http://recipes.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Georgian_Recipes

Well, sort of.  We couldn't communicate very well because he didn't speak English at all and I couldn't speak Georgian at that time.  If I could have, I would have chastized him for what he did to me!  He allowed me to pet him and won my trust.  But, as soon as my back was turned, he snatched the bag of treats I had been holding.  I left Ananuri without ever seeing him again . . . and the second picture is what distracted me.

This is the first book I downloaded for my Kindle.  I've only read the first chapter but would highly recommend it to anyone interested in that part of the world.  I really like how the author weaves narrative of his own experiences in the region with historical events.  I could even see reflections of some of my own experiences with the Georgian people in his writing.  Can't wait to read the rest of it!

Here is an interesting site suggested to me by a reader.  It has several recipes for traditional Slovak food and even offers language lessons for free.  I posted the link in the left margin but here it is again.  Let me know what you think. http://www.slovakcooking.com/

I just received it!  It's amazingly simple to use but has advanced features as well.  It's technology like this that may save the planet someday.  Any suggestions for the first book I should order?

What a story these old structures tell.

Well, not really.  This picture was taken from inside the monastery looking up through a turret.  I had thought of telling all of you how I was arrested and this was my punishment.  However, I knew you would never believe that I would do anything to justify an incarceration!

Some children playing on a makeshift seesaw at Ananuri.

I'm starting to run out of descriptive titles for these pictures!  I think I'll just let the view speak for itself.

What's the name of this lake?  I still have so many unanswered questions about Georgia.  That's why I need to return.

Look to the left and click the video for a message from my alma mater.

Really, I'm not a good photographer. The scenery itself creates the photo.

Just a reminder to myself of what a wonderful life I had just a few weeks ago. One way or another, I will return!!!

I'll snap a picture tomorrow if it actually happens. Geez! These drivers are bad enough on dry surfaces!

Here is a video I took of fireworks after the traditional dance performance. I filmed the fireworks outside the building where it was held. It's hard to believe this was only about two weeks ago.