Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi is a fusion of Western high street stores and Soviet style grocery shops, with a small selection of meats, veg and an assortment of plastic goods. The main high street has a very modern feel, with imposing architecture and interesting churches, but as soon as I stray from the main area, the side streets display a vision of chaotic wiring and crumbling facades. Many of these buildings are still habited but they look more like a scene from a shanty town, than modern Tbilisi. There is another part of town near the river, with pavement cafes and bars, providing a great atmosphere and somewhere relaxed to eat in the evenings.



The food in Tbilisi is wonderful. There is a lot of choice and salads are served to a Western standard. On the first night, I ate at a pavement cafe and ordered a potato with veg salad and a dish of chicken in a creamy mushroom sauce, accompanied by green tarragon flavoured lemonade. The waitresses here are very friendly and service has so far been with a smile. A mix of rock and pop songs are played in the background and groups of friends chat and laugh over a selection of European cuisine.

Yesterday we had a walking tour, through botanical gardens and church grounds on a hillside, which gave great views of the city. We stopped at a restaurant for lunch and continued to the modern town, passing grand Parliment buildings and an ornate theatre. Our young guide was in her final year at University and coincidently is the daughter of the family whose guesthouse that we stayed at in Mestia. This really does feel a very small country.



By mid afternoon it had started to rain and by the evening it was torrential, so I took the metro to the new town, which was clean, efficient and in cryllic. I commited the ultimate traveller sin and ate at McDonalds. I think that the last time I did this was in Prague, many years ago. Again, it was raining a lot and I hoped it wouldn't be as bad as the chain at home. So I ordered my hamburger meal and took advantage of the free wifi. The city looked really beautiful at night so I took a few photos. I took the metro back to hotel GTM and got quite soaked on the quick walk back. This morning I bought an umbrella, although today is has been hot and sunny. We have another two days in Georgia, including a night camping and a home stay.