Where on earth is “that” my travel agent said? The Republic of Georgia by the Black Sea, I replied. Tbilisi known as Tiflis in Europe is the largest city in Georgia on the Mtkvari River.
Yes, I am back from my travels, albeit a short while, and so had to share an amazing experience I had in this tiny country formerly inhabited by the Soviets. There are hardly any tourists and black people are the centre of attraction, so more pictures were taken of us by the locals than we took of the sites. It is off the beaten track, wearing its troubled history on its face, yet carrying huge Georgian pride in its heart.
They are a very hospitable bunch. You can’t help but fall hopelessly in love with their culture, exceptionally warm hospitality and ability to toast to life no matter the adversities.
A HUGE statue of Mother of Georgia perched on the Caucasus Mountains towers over the land, sword in one hand and wine in the other, a testament to their troubled history. After being invaded and flattened 17 times, I guess they had to be prepared to either serve you or kill you.
What took me there, you may ask? Simple. Love. I went to a wedding of a dear friend, an American who found love with a Georgian. As guests of the groom the bride’s family made sure we were well received and amply catered for.
The Supra (Georgian table) is a ten-course affair with, typically, nine toasts (for luck) with wine or brandy led by the
Tamada (like an MC). These toasts are random, from toasting to love, friendship and of course Georgia. Now when a toast is made you have to empty your glass after the appropriate response, otherwise it is considered rude. Copious amounts of food is served on platters throughout the evening and never cleared off the tables; only your plates get refreshed. You are encouraged to eat a lot so that you can handle the alcohol. Oh dear…!
Georgians are fantastic musicians and performers and so entertainment by the folk dancers is an energetic site to behold. The wedding was a community affair, everyone invited. The similarity to our African customs and traditions was uncanny. No clock watching, impromptu village singers, all guests on the convoy to take pictures, plenty of food, drink and load laughter. As Georgians say: “To eat and drink together is to live.” Great fun. After the three days of festivities and heavy indulgence, we had to go to the
Banya (like a Turkish bath) and be scrubbed down by a
babushka to heal from our hangovers.
We stayed at a lovely hotel called Betsy’s
www.betsyhotel.com. A boutique hotel of choice for expats and is a bit of a legend and staff are fluent in English.
The refrain is “
Kargi Marjus – to victory”! To a country that considers guests a blessing. Victorious indeed!
Till next time.