Blogs from Tbilisi, Tbilisi District, Georgia, Asia
Natan Halat trip to Mtskheta, Ananuri, Gori, Tbilisi.
Published: April 16th 2012Asia » Georgia » Tbilisi District » Tbilisi
March 24th 2012
Recently I was reading about Armenian churches here in Tbilisi. It seems they are at the center of a huge controversy as most have either fallen into various states of disrepair and ruin or have been appropriated by the Georgian Orthodox Church. There are only two functioning churches left. It's been hard to find non-biased information as it seems Armenian sites give the Armenian version and Georgian sites the Georgian version, but what is undeniable is that several of these places of worship have been subject to looting, vandalism, and arson. No matter who claims what for whom, it's a shame to see cultural and architectural treasures being treated in such a way due to petty political and nationalist conflicts. As I learn more I will update this post but for now here are some photos ... read more
February 11th 2012
Sitting in the taxi from the airport into the city along the tragically-named George W. Bush Blvd., my very first impression was that Tbilisi is like just about anywhere else in the former Soviet Union. The same suburban apartment blocks, the same yellow marshrutkas, drivers smoking and talking on the phone with one hand on the wheel, etc. made me think I hadn't really left Kiev. However, once I arrived in the center I immediately thought Tbilisi was remiscent of a larger version of Sarajevo with more churches. Like the Bosnian capital, Tbilisi sits in a small valley, has a river running down its middle, old Islamic-style Asiatic houses clinging to the steep streets of the old town, and while European feels much more Middle Eastern. So what to make of this post-Soviet, European, Middle Eastern ... read more
December 11th 2011
Our week of orientation is coming to a close, we are both exhasted yet excited to begin our time in Gerogia outside the four walls of this Hotel. I don't know whether we have decribed the hotel before, it is a huge ex soviet hotel with very dim lights and resembles something from a horror flick. .Mikaela and I got the news two days ago that we have been placed with a host family together meaning that we will not have to rent an appartment which was a relief to us as we wanted to see Georgian culture from the inside. We have been placed in a small village named Shilda near the region centre of Kvaveli in the Kakheti region in East Gerogia. Our region is known as the wine capital of Georgia. Our family ... read more
December 6th 2011
Today we began the morning by heading into the city to get our medicals done. We were a little nervous about where we were going and the kind of health standards that we were going to subject to ourselves to. After a short drive we pulled up outside an old soviet block building which did not improve my nerves, those who know me well know that I hate needles and am a bit of sook. Inside was actually quite modern, the doctor was nice and had visited Sydney before. He said that he thought Australia was a very pretty country. Our nerves were quickly set aside when nature started calling - having drunk a lot of water under Aaron's guidance I was more than ready to pee for our urine test. People were actually jumping at ... read more
These boots were made for walking ...
Published: December 6th 2011Asia » Georgia » Tbilisi District » Tbilisi
December 5th 2011
Having arrived a day before other people in our group we spent the day exploring the city by foot with two of our fellow TLG members. Gerogian drivers are crazy, a zebra crossing does not mean that they will stop or even slow down - there were definately a few close calls today. We explored some of the old city and wonderd through streets and parks. The majority of the buildings were built in the soviet era and are in very poor condition, it is facinating to see how destroyed buildings can look if they are not maintained. It was good however to see that they are in the process of rebuilding and repairing the old buildings with construction work going on all over the town. Not only does this provide jobs but the buildings that ... read more
At Long Last we are in Georgia
Published: December 5th 2011Asia » Georgia » Tbilisi District » Tbilisi
December 4th 2011
We departed Townsville at 5:50am Saturday 3rd of December, having not slept much the night before due to nerves and excitement. That plus 47 hours of travel time to get to Georgia equals some fairly shifty writing, the word tired does not cut it. When we arrived at Townsville Airport we were surprised by Nell and Ian, Aarons aunty and uncle who has driven from Mackay to see us off. My boss and his daughter Ashlyn who I taught this year also surpised us to say goodbye - this was really special and meant alot, thank you! After lots of tears we were off! We flew into Brisbane and spent some time with my mum and brother before heading to Cairns and then onto Hong Kong (yes we know, what the hell!). Whilst in Hong Kong ... read more
Three days with wet feet and still the best weekend ever!
Published: November 5th 2011Asia » Georgia » Tbilisi District » Tbilisi
October 16th 2011
On Thursday it starts raining and I don’t think it’s ever going to stop. It’s been a strange week with Eka going off to work every morning and me staying at home. I did my first surreptitious wash up after she’d left one morning. Levan was still asleep in the living room so I closed the door to ensure he wouldn’t hear me and sneakily washed up the dishes in the sink. I figured Levan would think that Eka did it before she went to school and when Eka came home she’s think Levan had done it. My god I’m an idiot sometimes. I like the little ways I discover what’s acceptable or what’s expected of me though. On the first day Eka was going to school without me I thought it would be rude to ... read more
