"charmed by Tbilisi...." a T'bilisi Travel Page by ellielou

Tbilisi. I've said the word over an over. I think it sounds nice--Ta-bleee-zeee. (Although, that's not really how it's pronounced.) I don't really know what it is that made me want to come to Georgia at all, but it probably started some years ago with a taste of Georgian food. (Some friend brought over a Georgian-inspired salad, complete with walnuts and cilantro. It always starts with the food. Then a Georgian restaurant last year in Chicago....)

Not everyone likes the city. When I talked to some of the very few other travelers I met there, they looked at me as if I were nuts (walnuts?) for saying that I was charmed with the place.

I still don't know what it is. But, it's gone beyond the name. It's an attractive place. It's elegant and crumbling at the same time. It has remnants of almost three-quarters of a century of Soviet-rule, and remnants of others who've set up shop there.

The people are great, even if, when I didn't understand Georgian, they switched to speaking Russian (which I don't understand either!).

And, the food. Yes, the food.....

...is just incredible. You really never have to worry if something is targeted 'for the tourists' because, well, there really aren't (m)any! And, if that weren't enough, they LOVE the U.S.A. and Americans. (And, believe it or not, that even sometimes extends to the country's elected leaders!)

It's not only that they love the US, some older people still have a fondness for Stalin.

At some point during my trip to Georgia, I had the thought that Georgia was more different from the US than any place I'd ever traveled. I mean, I felt that I was more off the beaten path, and further away from home than in any place I've ever been., including being in a place like Northern Laos.

Again, I can't quite put my finger on it. This time, I don't think it's food. I think it's something historical and cultural.

Living up to her VT name, here is photonina, or Nino (actually not in Tbilisi, but in Davit Garja), with her camera in hand.

Not only was she smart, funny, witty, and charming, she lived up to all the advanced billing regarding that famed Georgian hospitality, and really helped to make the trip incredible!

Thanks, Ni!