Exploring Tbilisi

Today is the official start of our main trip. After a Welcome Meeting, we set off in the rain to explore Tbilisi’s Old Town. A cable car brought us to the top of a high plateau for an overview of the city and the Mtkvan River. The Mother of Georgia statue overlooks all with wine in one hand to welcome guests and a sword to repel enemies.

The Old Town is a large area within the old city walls filled with homes, churches, mosques, restaurants and winding streets. Many of the homes are made of wood with prominent balconies, other buildings are massive stone structures. We walked up to a square above the river for a closer view of the river and surrounding area.

Lunch was in the Bread House, a traditional restaurant where the smell of baking bread greets you as you walk in the door. Vegetable soup, bread, and a bottled pear lemonade for me.

The Georgian National Museum has an extensive collection of gold and silver jewelry with the oldest dated to 6000 years ago. Much was found in royal graves. Gifts to royals were also displayed. The museum guide pointed out how the jewelry often reflected activities of the time.

The fourth floor exhibits focused on the Soviet Occupation, Georgian life during the seven-decade rule that ended in 1991. Artifacts portrayed the repressive rule of the Soviets and the rebellious nature of some Georgian people. Maia supplemented with stories from her own family including her

grandmother’s exile to Siberia.

Late afternoon Barb and I walked down the Main Street lined with impressive limestone buildings built in the 1800’s during the Imperial Russian occupation. Very Paris-like boulevard with wide sidewalks, benches, and underground passageways to cross under the busy street. Walked to the Opera House, Parliament, Georgian Gift Shop, and the “dollar” store.

Tonight’s Welcome Dinner was a “typical” Georgian meal — steak salad, veal in garlic sauce, chicken in cream sauce, a vegetable dish with walnut cookie, bread, wine, followed by a delicious dessert made from cooked grape juice and flour. Lots of food!