People of Georgia

All but the 2nd one (Tqibuli, Imereti) are in Svaneti. The 3rd one is at a mineral water spring near Etseri, of which there are about 1800 in Georgia (including the breakaways!). The last one's me in the village of Dizi about 5 years ago.

Riga Layover

24 hours in Riga en route home to Georgia.

The Russian-language Latvian newspaper I picked up on my Air Baltic flight from London indicated that, in a poll, Latvians were exactly even for and against Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Surprising only until one realises that the population of Latvia includes more than 30% Russians.

18 hours or so to go... the waiting gets harder as my arrival approaches. Only love for this place could account for how I feel.

Going Home

Today. At last.

Once I'm there, I'll do my best to continue to deliver daily NEW pictures and writing, and video too, from the new Georgia. So stay tuned.

Meanwhile, for those of you who live in or near London, UK, here's a really good Georgian restaurant to try:

www.mimino.co.uk
197c Kensington High Street
London, W8 6BA
Tel. 020 7937 1551

I was there a few days ago with old Georgia friends. It tasted as if I was back in Tbilisi, sampling the unique, largely undiscovered cuisine of my adopted homeland.

Russia Takes 2 Big Bites out of Georgia

(Welcome, those from Guam & Belarus, to the blog for the first time.)

Today Russia moved very fast, after about 16 years of holding back, formally to recognise the independence of both Abkhazia and South Ossetia. A dark day for Georgia, a bright one - supposedly - for the two breakaways, who have wanted this for all these years. The new world order continues to make itself felt across the globe, day by day.
I'll be back in Georgia in 2 1/2 days, and I can only imagine what it'll be like: gloomy and resigned or furious and riotous. But it's home for all that, a place I have chosen to live in for better or worse.

People of Georgia

Soon, so soon, I return to a country which I call home but where almost everything has changed since my departure 2 1/2 months earlier. Mixed feelings about that, but mostly just a longing to be with my people again.

People of Georgia

I know, most of these people pictures have been of Svans; but they're Georgians too.  Sandwiched nicely between Abkhazia and South Ossetia, just to keep things interesting, and traditionally the most inaccessible part of the country.  But for all that, well visited by tourists even up until today.  I'll be back up to YOU soon as well.

People of Georgia

What have you endured?

What have you and your "enemies" done to yourselves by doing it to each other?

How much more can you take?

Can you ever let go?

Can you ever forgive and ask for forgiveness?

Ghmertma itsis, khalkho.

Welcome to 2 more countries since yesterday,

bringing the total to 85!:

Serbia and - at last - South Korea.

People of Georgia

Greetings to the blog's 3 newest viewing countries:  Puerto Rico, Malta and Oman...

And greetings to the Georgians themselves, hoping that the new world order will be something which you can bear.  And to the Russian viewers of the blog:  peace to you, too.

People of Georgia

Have you Hurd?

Last night I heard Douglas Hurd speak at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, which was fascinating. My question to him, which remained unasked, I shall now ask here: Are we witnessing the beginning of a new world order since the current Russia-Georgia conflict, a change in everything as profound as 9/11?

Home to you in a few days, my Georgian friends.

People of Georgia

I greet you, dear Georgians, from Edinburgh, Scotland. Later next week I'll kiss your soil as I arrive HOME.

People of Georgia

I salute you!

People of Georgia

To you!

People of Georgia

How hard it is to be separated from you now, my friends. I hope to be back before the end of August. Thinking of you, praying for you.

People of Georgia

I hope I will be able to return home to you soon, Georgians.