Georgia on My Mind
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Georgia's beautiful and diverse landscape
If you visit Georgia and want to tell others, be prepared to immediately explain: “the country, not the state!”
Very few people know about the Republic of Georgia. However, the current Russian occupation of Crimea, a former part of the Ukraine, has put Georgia in the news, as there have been Russian-occupied parts of Georgia since 2008. Some view the occupations as strategic, especially considering the occupied regions are along the coast of the Black Sea. In fact, the Crimea peninsula and the Russian-occupied regions of Georgia greatly increase Russia’s Black Sea coastline. This access is important because the Black Sea not only includes vacation destinations like Sochi, the city that hosted the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, but it also provides the region with access to the Atlantic Ocean.
With little mention of this country, other than being named in connection to political land disputes with Russia, it is easy to see how Georgia remains a mystery. Americans, particularly, are used to referring to their beloved state on the east coast by the same name. The state and country, as one might expect, are very different. There is at least one common thread; both have warm and hospitable people. In this light, trading peaches for persimmons might be a welcome change.
Here are a few glimpses of the beautiful and welcoming country of Georgia.
Tbilisi
Tbilisi a mixture of old and new
Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia. Arriving at its airport, travelers are greeted with a floor medallion that reads, “Tbilisi: the city that loves you.”
Tbilisi has everything you would expect from a capital city. There are two distinct things that will stand out, though. First, Tbilisi is one of the oldest Christian nations, so there are an abundance of very old churches alongside the relatively new Holy Trinity Cathedral. Finished in 2004, the cathedral shows the importance of religion in Georgia by its prominence in the city's skyline. Second, there has been a recent effort to modernize the city by constructing more contemporary structures. They are quite striking and easy to spot in this old capital.
Outside the capital: Mtskheta
An old walled city with the church as its center
Sighnaghi and beyond
Sighnaghi perched on a hill
Georgia’s geography creates ideal conditions for producing great wines. The Kakheti region is known for its superb wines, breathtaking scenery, and ancient monasteries.
With so much history and natural beauty, it is easy to see why Georgians are eager to welcome people so lovingly to their country.
