OBSERVATIONS

• The Georgian people are extremely religious - statues, churches, and people who act very religious around the churches.
• The most common clothing is black. Long flowing dresses are often seen. Some of the young people are wearing bright colors. People are dressed neatly. Jeans are often seen.
• Traffic can be crazy. There seem to be no speed limit signs posted, so even in the city, we have been in a taxi that was traveling at 60 mph.
• People here are very polite and respectful. No shoving or elbowing. Lines wait patiently. But I don't see as many smiles on individuals.
• Cleanliness in the city happens because street sweepers sweep the streets each morning. In the country it is much different:  people toss things where they like. For that reason, the rivers are sometimes "filled" with garbage (cans and plastic bags).
• I was surprised to see many beggars - young children and old women (haven't seen men beggars). Many seem to simply asking for money - no handicaps. But usually there is no "high pressure" sales. It may just be a way to make some easy money. Women and children are often found at the entrances to churches - usually church goers are easy targets.
• If you speak slowly in English, most of the young people will understand at least a bit of what you are saying. Older people speak Russian or Georgian.
• Many of the shops on the streets are small businesses. The store is in the front and lodging is in the back of the shop (or on the second floor).
• Lots of flower vendors can be found on street corners.
• When the police cars travel, they usually have their flashing lights on. If they want to stop someone, the call them over on their loud speakers. There is a large presence of police.
• Flowers and trees are often planted on boulevards or between the street and sidewalk. It makes for a pleasant feeling. There are many huge sycamores planted along the streets - giving a great deal of shade during the summer hot months.
• Georgia does not have an "open container" law. Beer bottles are often carried by old and young and consumed as they walk or on benches in parks. I assume that since drinking is such an accepted thing here, there are not too many problems with alcoholism (I may be wrong).
• I can hardly believe the number of cafes here in Tbilisi. Most have two or more tables on the side walk or in "fenced" areas along the sides of buildings or even in the street (on pedestrian walkways) especially in the "old town" area.
• Taxis are something else. Some are rickety old vehicles, others are new Mercedes. Some drivers are very reasonable in traffic, others are "crazy." One always arranges a price for a ride before you begin - most taxi's do not have meters.
• There are no smoking rules. Some restaurants have been so smokey that we have not stayed there to eat. At other places, if the indoors is too smokey, we eat in the patio area. If there are people who are smoking, it is important to choose a table far from them.
• Wash normally is hung out on the balcony of the apartments. Sometimes on the rail, and at other times it is on a line.
• When in the country, most "homesteads" have a grape arbor - elaborately built or simply constructed. Each of the "yards" is usually surrounded by a fence or block wall. It is hard to see in. In the villages, the barn or shed for the animal (s) is located in that "homestead" area.
• In Rosholt, we enjoy the privacy of a home (no one looking in). In Tbilisi, privacy is hardly possible. You can look from Jon and Julissa's apartment into as many as 30 other apartments.
• Statues and churches are commonly found everywhere.
• It has been really fun to explore a new culture and be open to discovering something new. I love the bread that is baked in the round stone oven (slapped on the side of the oven). It's called "shoti." It's shaped like a canoe with a fat middle and it costs less than 1 lari approximately 61 cents a loaf) - enough snacking for four people.
• Food is really special here. Lots of vegetables (really fresh) with a variety of meats. There is usually little spice other than salt and pepper, parsley and cilantro.
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