Construction and Graffitti

With all the construction in Georgia and especially Tbilisi, these massive trucks are everywhere! They look like giant beetles!
Ha, I like 'em. Much of the construction in Old Tbilisi is to keep up with the growing tourist industry. Much of the time they keep the facade and make it a casino, hotel, or restaurant.


This is just my first installation of the graffiti in Tbilisi. I have a strange fascination with graffiti from all over the world. Better write that in my list of future Geography articles! The top one is interesting politically, it is a rendering of Mikhail Saakashvili. He has aligned himself quite closely with Western Europe and the US, some Georgians are not to keen on that. The election is next fall. I just like the next two and as I sit in this cafe I spy another cool one...until next time.

Guram's home in Armazi.

Within my first day in Georgia the Director of the school I will be attending (Tbilisi Institute of Asia and Africa) invited me to his country home for a real Georgian meal. His daughters and lovely wife (not in the photo) took very good care of the extremely jet lagged american and feed her wondefully. His home is over looking the Mtkvari river, the same the flows through Tbilisi. In the bottom photo Guram is to my right, the others where family friends.

Room with a view.

My Room in the Hotel Charm

I am staying in the Hotel Charm, which is in the section of Tbilisi called "Old Tbilisi" (more photos of this beautiful area to follow, in a couple of days), it where are the cafes, bars, and galleries are. This is a lovely room on the top (third) floor. The windows look out to some beautiful churchs, the Ambassadori hotel, and the Mtkvari river going through Tbilisi.
The women who work here are so wonderful and kind, even through my severly lacking Georgian and their nonexistant English! Check out some other photos on their website: www.hotelcharm.ge