Independence Day and Two Birthdays

23rd May, day 36, around Telavi, Georgia



We leave our nice comfy homestay and set out to a nearby bushcamp. The morning is spent exploring (or rather, hobbling round) the town. Very small town with not much to see.

The afternoon is spent wine-tasting. I was a little dubious at first, after my unfortunate experience at Batumi, but the wine at the first place really wasn't too bad, expecially the sweet red, it was a sort-of alcoholic Ribena. Yum. Then it was on to the local fire-water "chacha". It's really very pleasant, and you can light fires with it.

Tonight we arrive a beautiful spot not far from Telavi for a 2-night bushcamp. This will be my first camp since the toe incident, and I've decided to lose the plaster. We'll see how it goes.

24th May, day 37, bushcamp near Telavi, Georgia



Most of the day is spent in preparation for tonight's party, which is spent in the camp with guests from the nearby village. Pete secures a lamb for us to slowly roast on a spit over a fire. I don't think I've ever had lamb cooked that way before, but it was very tasty indeed. A good time was had by all, Odessyans and Georgians alike, despite not sharing a language at all. Beer and wine flowed plentifully. I t was our way to say a big thank-you to all the wonderful hospitality we've received in Georgia these past couple of weeks.

25th May, day 38, Telavi - Tbilisi, Georgia


From bushcamp to capital city. Tbilisi is in some ways similar to the more touristy European cities like Prague, with cute little streets of pavement cafes and interesting buildings to look at. But on the other hand, you risk your life whenever you step outside because car drivers here are utterly mental, and the roads have no traffic control whatsoever, apart from the occasional optional red light. Junctions are mostly free-for-all scrums.

A group of us have our evening snack in a cafe close to out hotel. It is a theme-cafe celebrating the proud history of the Soviet Union. Or maybe it's just being ironic. The sign says "KGB - Still Watching You" and makes a cool T-shirt.

26th May, day 39, in Tbilisi, Georgia

Not up to much, can't walk far. The Georgians are celebrating their Independence Day today and the city is hosting parties and parades. It's ironic that they are celebrating their independence from the Soviet Union (much to Russia's annoyance) yet still the paranoid security arrangements and the style of government seems very much Soviet in nature. Old habits die hard.

This evening we celebrate 2 birthdays - Roberta and Jim. We all go to an Italian restaurant for a refreshingly un-Georgian feed.