"Tbilisi" a T'bilisi Travel Page by JohnniOmani

Mountains, churches, cathedrals, mosques, cracked roads, power cuts, great local people, posh shops, ancient history and recent crime waves all make up the odd by fantastic city of Tbilisi. The capital has a wonderful setting and it is striking in an appealing and poverty stricken way. The vibe is undeniable as most young people walk down the street trying to look as though they are in Paris or Italy while beggers and the poor folk sit in the rain on the side of the road asking for money. Bread shops are on every corner and they are only outdone by the wee shops that sell a dozen different kinds of beer. Russian cars battle it out with soviet buses for space on the roads while each street has a few old crumbling yet attractive buildings from the Soviet times. Tbilisi is a typical city in post soviet era because it moves ahead with caution. Caution that stems from its chaotic past of crime waves and chronic power cuts and despite suffering from the latter, Tbilisi is an enjoyable city and it provides a great glimpse into a country struggling for security and stability.