REMEMBRANCE DAY

9 April: National Unity Day (according to the internet)

This holiday can be considered as a forerunner of Georgian independence. It is with events of April 9 the idea of the sovereignty of the country has become stronger and found new forms of political struggle. On that tragic day, April 9, 1989 in Georgia Soviet troops were brought in to suppress popular demonstrations, demanding to restore the independence of Georgia. As a result, 30 people were killed and more than 200 injured.

On this day the country remembers those who fell in the struggle for happiness and freedom of their native land. The temples are conducting civil services for the dead. In Tbilisi, on April 9 flowers and candles are brought to the victims memorial. The largest memorial we saw was in front of the parliament building in downtown Tbilisi.

Otherwise, the only thing that we noted was that there were fewer people around. Our plan for the morning was to do some birdwatching, then head to the downtown area to eat and eventually to catch the gondola to the top of the mountain. But it became so cold and windy that we ended up coming home to relax and take it easy for the evening.

The pictures for today are an assortment of goodies.

A spotted woodpecker from the morning birdwalk.

Jon and Julissa spend some time choosing items off of the menu.

 

One set of noon lunch:  a glass of merlot, chicken soup, and a plate of Georgian bread. Can't be beat!

A Jewish synagogue. Jon informed us that the government is proud of it's religious diversity:  within a three block distance, you have the synagogue, a Georgian Orthodox church, and an Armenian church.

CLICK HERE to view the bumpy ride by taxi on one of the many Tbilisi cobblestone roads.

Our view from the second story Georgian restaurant's deck. This the backside of another church that is under repair. They are also building a little chapel at the base of this precipice along the river below.

As soon as we came out of the restaurant, we encountered this woman. She was obviously looking for a handout. As I watched her, many folks felt a bit sorry and forked over one or more coins. She hit up a family that had just gotten out of a car. First the mother opened her purse and gave money. Less than one minute later, the father pulled out his billfold and gave more money.

Alba desides that it is quite all right to talk to this stranger.

It's hard to believe that there are so many churches in Georgia (Tbilisi). And I thought that there were lots of churches in the U.S.