I arrived in Georgia on June 16th, and I'm writing just a quick note as internet access is intermittent here. According to our sources in Georgia, (Irakli's brother Achi works for an internet service provider here) the main internet trunk line to Georgia goes through Romania. It seems internet service is often interrupted because someone or some firm in Romania accidently digs up the line. Fortunately, the trunk line service provider offers 1 month free for every 1 hour of downtime. Currently, Georgia has accumulated 203 years of free service! I arrived safely in Georgia early Tues [View Full Entry]

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Moldova, once part of Romania, has the unhappy distinction of being Europe's poorest country. Historically, due to its strategic location on a route between Asia and Europe, Moldova was repeatedly invaded: Bastarns, Sarmatians, Goths, Huns, Avars, Magyars and the Mongols all fought over this small country. Recently, the 1998 financial crisis in Russia, (Moldova's main economic partner at the time) produced an economic crisis in the country. The standard of living plunged, with 75% of population living below the poverty line, while the economic disaster caused 600,000 people [View Full Entry]

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Working alongside friends to help others So, now from the luxury and order of Holland into the excitement and wilds of Romania. I flew from Amsterdam to Vienna and then to Timisoara, Romania, where I was met by my good friend and lawyer, Daniel Musteata. Daniel is head of Bethlehem Ministries and works very hard to help poor children and families. A specialist in international adoptions, he has also set up foster family programs which have been very successful now that international adoptions have been outlawed in Romania. He trains families to become foster parents, then helps pla [View Full Entry]

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Blooming Beautiful As I've mentioned, my sister is an avid gardener. Subscribing to gardening magazines, trips to local gardens and even this year, to London for the prestigious Chelsea flower show, all for inspiration and ideas. She's translated these ideas into a lovely country garden surrounding her home in Rockanje, a small town near the Strand or beach off the North Sea, within commuting distance of Rotterdam and the Europort. She's joined in this passion for gardening by almost the entire population of the Netherlands. An important plant and flower growing region, the indus [View Full Entry]

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All the china and porcelain I didn't buy We had a great day trip, first to a rose garden (as my sister is an avid gardner) and then to the charming city of Delft. It is located in between Rotterdam and The Hague, about 45 minutes from my sister's house in Rockanje. Delft is primarily known for its typically Dutch town centre; also for the painter Vermeer and of course, the famous Delft Blue pottery (Delftware). Delftware, or Delft pottery, denotes blue and white pottery made only in and around Delft in the Netherlands. It is a type of pottery in [View Full Entry]

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How the Dutch do it Save money and the environment at the same time, that is! The Dutch bike everywhere. Of course, it helps that the country is flat, flat, flat. And, this passion for biking is helped along by the terrible traffic, impossible parking and high cost of fuel. Not to mention the lovely scenery and favorable traffic laws. Apparently, if you hit a bicyclist with your car, you are automatically at fault. This looming liability really raises one's awareness while driving. For instance, along most roads, there is a second 'voetpad" or footpad, used by walkers and bikers. [View Full Entry]

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A walk through history I've been resting up at my sister's for several days, feasting on the fabulous cheese, rich yogurt, delicious chocolate and fresh baked bread. Having fortified myself, it's time for a foray into the countryside and a chance to walk off those extra calories. Thus, a day trip and walking tour of Brielle, located about 25 miles outside Rotterdam. This small and picturesc town dates back to 1306. It's claim to fame is several fold: not only is it one of the few fortified towns with many of it's defenses intact and still visible, it was also the [View Full Entry]

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The easy way to see the best of Amsterdam My next day in Amsterdam I decided to skip the bike tour and take the canal boat instead. This delightful way to tour Amsterdam is one of my all-time favorite activities in this picturesc city. I bought an all day ticket on the '"Hop on, Hop off" Canal Bus boats for 20 EU. These low profile, glass topped boats tour the major canals and pass all the major tourist attractions with several stops along the way, so you can hop off where ever you like and get back on when ever you [View Full Entry]

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Just to catch you up on all my adventures since departing... I caught my plane from SFO at 6:30 Wends AM 5/20 and had a 3 hr layover in Philadelpha, arriving here at 8:30 am Thurs 5/21. I got to my hotel ok, taking the trains and trams in Amsterdam was easy once I got it figured out. They had very helpful volunteers in red jackets with the logo "I AM-Sterdam" at the central train station and everyone speaks English. Schlepping 2 suitcases with 60+ lbs of luggage in & out of trains & trams, up and down stairs, was a [View Full Entry]

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Planning our trip inside Georgia So my husband, Irakli Natsvlishvili, despite being a native Georgian, has thoughtfully researched hiring a local guide to take us on a one week discovery tour of the South and Southwest of Georgia. Of course, his Georgian friends were outraged at the idea, and offered to escort us personally or have their relatives escort us. They were also outraged at the price (which seemed reasonable to us, both confirmed tightwads). One of his friends is the founder of a back packer's online forum and couldn't understand why we wouldn't take advantage of va [View Full Entry]

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