Day Two, February
12,2019
I woke up at past 7am and thought it was much earlier
since it was still dark. I busied myself in the cute lime green kitchen. I
fried some sunny side up eggs and ham. We brought Sky Flakes to go with the
strawberry jam packets from the plane.
The dome of the church seen from the kitchen window
pealed its bells at 8:30am calling the faithful to worship.
Ruel joined me after a few minutes and squeezed the big
yellow lemon we bought from the 24 hour market or convenience store ( as we
would call it) just around the corner.
After some challenge with the water heater not giving us
water right away after 3 people consumed their fill…we ventured out of our
apartment with dried hair from the blow dryer. Another first for me since I
don’t use one ever.
Ruel was the designated tour designer/planner and hailed
a cab which charged us 5 Lari to get to Mother Georgia. The driver kept smoking
but gave in to our request to put off his 2nd stick for us.
A beautiful young tour guide named Nini with platinum blonde dyed hair with
blue streaks approached us with a very warm disposition that we gave in to her
offer to take the river cruise before our cable car ride plan. She gave us two
discounted rates from 20 Gel per head to 15 per person with Lilli free of
charge.
It was fun and very cold. Good thing they offered
blankets to cover our legs that were already in 2 layers of clothing. Our cheap
gloves were of no use to the 4* temperature which was decidedly going lower
each day for our adventure! Ruel and I regretted a bit not taking their offer
of red wine in plastic glasses and or coffee or tea.
Cable car was next. It was a short 1 minute ride going up
the Narikala Fortress mountain. The view of the Old Tbilisi was wonderful. It
was fun to take more photos from the various viewing decks. The curio shops
offered a wide array of souvenirs. I got a silver earring in the shape of a
spoon and fork. A testament to my battle with the bulge with my big appetite
for food.
Lady Georgia was a 65 feet formidable steel structure. She is holding a wine cup in
one hand and a sword in the other as she stands watching over her beautiful
land. Later we learn that neighboring Armenia has a similar statue but…it didn’t have a cup…just
a sword.
Going down the trail was quite an exhilarating and strenuous walk. We were
all challenged…but the short stops admiring the shops and homes offered us a
welcome break.
Once we were at the foot of the mountain…hawkers enticed
us for some much needed food.
The restaurant we were ushered into had two hues of blue
as it’s color theme. The interiors of Seidabadi
at #1 Gorgasali St.(Meidan) of Old Tbilisi was so cool to the eyes. Food was
good. Waiter was very good in English and professional. Of course, the girls
asked for their already favorite Kachapuri ( with raw egg) and Khinkali…but
since they offered mostly Azerbaijani food…there was only the pie version of
Megruli Kachapuri…so we settled for it
and some 4 kinds meat bbq and and rice with carrots.
The wide glass windows offered us a nice view of the
equestrian statue of King Vakhtang Gorgosal of the Metheki church. Marcelina
and Marina got a nice view of the river and the busy street with friendly stray
dogs walking along with winter clad tourist.
We walked afterwards across one of Tbilisi’s beautiful
bridges and to the Metekhi church.
It was a wonderful experience getting inside the Georgian
Orthodox church. Touched the grave of St. Shushanik, a 5th century
martyr. I got myself an icon of St. Nino thinking ( due to my not so good
eyesight and dim lighting) it was the Lady of Perpetual help…just as well,
since we were scheduled to visit her burial ground in Bodbe after our trip to
Gudauri.
I believe in serendipity.
We had late evening snacks at the nearby McDonald's. It
was another fun experience trying to order food from non English speaking
servers and observe people and their interesting menu offering.
It was so inspiring to see patrons clear their tables
themselves and throw their trash in the bin stations. Something I wish I would
be able to see in my lifetime happening in the Philippines.
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