Georgia - საქართველო

August, 2009

Once upon a time... a magic country called Georgia... I must confess that I didn't know so much about it before meet Ani, Mariam and Tiko... These three lovely georgian girls who washed up my mind and made myself fall in love with GEORGIA... (even before I visit it). The think is... is not so easy travel to Georgia... the flight is very expensive... the arriving schedule is a bit strange (like 3 or 4 a.m.) but everything worth it!

So... How this trip came from a desire to reality?

Thanks to my Georgian friends and EYP (European Youth Parliament)! And what is that? you ask... EYP is a politically and religiously unbound non-profit organisation, which encourages European youth to actively engage in citizenship and cultural understanding, without having any pulling power whatsoever...

It was my first time on these programs. And besides being a good way to travel economically, because the stay and meals are provided, as well as other tourist programs, You meet many people and you learn a lot about politics and the major problems of sociaty. It's amazing how this program changed my perspective on the policy. My interest was zero, and after this EYP session, I got that urge to change the world ... colateral effects ... lol

(so if you are less than 23 years old and interested (or not) for politic... check out something about EYP)

Ok... Lets talk about Georgia...

Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Situated at the juncture of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the south by Turkey and Armenia, and to the east by Azerbaijan.

I just visit a few places in Georgia, Tibilisi (the capital) and Batumi (a city on seaside).

Visit this country alone is a crazy adventure! Everything is written in Georgian with Georgian alphabet which is pronounced with a strange Georgian way! lol But if you know Russian can you get away with this in the country, because all the people speak it (one of the sad consequences of the time of the Soviet Union).

But I visited these places as best as we can do it. Guided by local people, mixed in Georgian society and culture!

And two of the many things that stand out more in the culture of this country are religion and food (my favorite one)! But the thing that the Georgians are known and I have no doubt about it, it is for their generosity! For God sake! These people are really warm!

About religion I cannot talk to much but I realised that Georgian people are very believers and most of the population of Georgia practices Orthodox Christianity and the Georgian Orthodox Church is an influential institution in the country. And this fact is a strong sense of national identity!

And... About... Georgian... lovely... gastronomy.... I must confess!! I'm a number 1 fan of georgian cuisine. Georgian cuisine and wine have evolved through the centuries, adapting traditions in each era. One of the most unusual traditions of dining is Georgian table, which is also a way of socialising with friends and family. The head of the table is known as Tamada. He also conducts the highly philosophical toasts (That is amazing, believe me!), and makes sure that everyone is enjoying themselves. I was Tamada one time but... actually is a bit complicated guide the toasts with all those rules!! I prefer drink their expectacular wine!

And no more words... Just enjoy the pictures and check out all the funny time I lived there!!

And no... I haven't forgotten the Georgian dance!!

Check this out... All the people dancing during EYP session...

Definitely I will go back!!!!