Christmas!

Here is a traditional Georgian Chirstmas tree,
surround by my collection of Georgian jee-jaws.
The tree is shave wood, at the top there is an apple and some holly.

Winter Solstice/Burrito Party

Like a good Cahill woman I got themed napkins!


That's Fred's head, Ryan, George(my History prof.), Lasha (Khatia's bro.), Khatia, and a little bit of Heather (Peace Corp. volunteer)


Sour cream, rice, pinto beans, cheese, cabbage, and salsa! Just like the one's I make myself at Taco Del Sol!!


With thanks to my ladies at the Taco shop I was able to get tortillas that could actually roll into a burrito!
Thanks ladies. Everyone loved them and the American's were very happy to have some Americana in their bellies! ..and the Georgians didn't think they were half bad!

Random Tbilisi

These are just some random shots that I have collected in the last weeks.


This is a boat in my apartment complex. I think it needs some lovin'


Christmas decorations at the Parliment Bldg.


We weren't sure what was going on here, either a fashion show or a music video. But this is a building that is from one of my first posts


This is a Lada Niva 4x4...I want one.

Lovely Ladies!

That's Thea, my Georgian language teacher, on the left and Tsimari, my student, in the middle. Thea and I were invited, last Sunday, to her home to interview some family members.
I got three interviews done that day!! Her mother fixed us a proper Georgian meal (check out the table!) and served up some fantastic family wine!

A Day in Signakhi

A lovely view of Signakhi with the Caucasus Range in the background.

Ninotsminda, Bodbe

This is the chapel were St. Nino (see older posts) who brought Christianity to Georgia, is buried. Today it is a nunnery, which in Soviet times where used as a hospital.


Beautifully carved door


Foreground is the little chapel (4th c.) and background is the bell tower, which has been renovated


Not St. Nino's grave, but nice no less. St. Nino's tomb is inside with a primative, but beautiful fresco,
lots of gold work, and enamel...sorry no photos


Lovely grounds surrounding the chapel. As we were leaving I noticed the bells in the trees.

Niko Pirosmani

The reason why we went to Signakhi was to see this portion of the National Museum. Below are the works of Pirosmani:

Niko Pirosmanashvili also known as Niko Pirosmani is a late 19th-early 20th century primitivist painter. He paints mainly animals, people dining, and people serving food (typical Georgian scenes). He was born in the Georgian village of Mirzaani to a peasant family in the Kakheti province, where the museum is located. He was orphaned as a child and put in the care of his two elder sisters. He moved with them toTbilisi in 1870. In 1872 he worked as a servant for wealthy families and learned to read and write Russian and Georgian. In 1876 he returned to Mirzaani and worked as a herdsman. He gradually learned painting. Pirosmani is also known for a romantic encounter with a French actress who visited his town; Pirosmanashvili was deeply in love with her, and to show his love, bought her enough flowers to fill the square in front of her hotel window (allegedly driving himself bankrupt).


the deer


Classic Georgian supra scene


Doctor on the donkey


the Lion