Blogs from Mtskheta, Eastern Georgia, Georgia, Asia

(continued from June 30 Tbilisi blog) At 6:15pm, Paul and Giga were back and we were off to Mskheta, the old capital of Georgia and what is still the most holy place in the country due to the churches there. We visited two Orthodox churches and I had to cover my hair with a scarf, and my pants with a skirt, in order to enter. One of the churches was 1000 years old, and very beautiful to see. The other was also old, and being renovated. Both were amazing to see. In that town, we visited Paul’s girlfriend at her job, where she sells a snack that looks like a sausage hanging by a string, but is in fact dried grape juice surrounding nuts. It was tasty and he bought me one to go. We came ... read more

Getting to Mtskheta was easy, even though it wasn't! We went to Didube metro station and fought our way past the crowds to the chaotic marshrutka station. There, with the help of some squiggles on a piece of paper (მცხეთა) which prevented the ignominy of being unable to pronounce our destination, we got on the right minibus. Just over half an hour later we were jumping off in Mtskheta. Considering it used to be the capital of Georgia, we were quite surprised at how small the place was. It did lose that status in the 6th Century though so I guess we shouldn't have been shocked. It's quite easy to walk around but a taxi is definitely required to climb up to Jvari church. Our first port of call was Samtavro Monastery where Trish decided to ... read more