SURPRISE!

Last evening in checking our airline reservations, we learned that Lufthansa was cancelling 1,700 flights on Monday (our day of travel) because of a strike (the airline was offering a 1.5% pay increase and the union was demanding  a 5% raise). The first leg of our journey was via Lufthansa - and we shortly discovered that the flight to Munich had been cancelled. Jon spent hours on the phone trying to see what we could do and how we could rebook, but to no avail. Finally at midnight, we packed all of our things and headed to the airport, hopeful that some other airline might be available (Turkish Air or LOT). The long and short is that no options were available, and so we were re-booked for the same flight 24 hours later (4:00 am Tuesday morning). While we were disappointed because of all the trouble with our now heavy luggage, but Cheryl especially treasured the opportunity to spend one more day with Alba (who stayed home from school today).

Jon Matthew working hard to try to reschedule our tickets. Finally, we all went to the airport.

On Tuesday morning, Karol and I decided to make the walk to the Freedom Hero's Memorial at the base of the cobblestone street that we use almost every time we return to Jon and Julissa's apartment. It's always a noisy and rough ride.

FREEDOM HERO'S MEMORIALS

After the 1991 Georgian uprising (seeing freedom peacefully), a memorial was established by the government of Georgia to honor those who died during this time. The stone is located in front of the Parliament building where 18 people were killed, and an eternal flame was established at a roundabout at the end of what we call the "cobblestone road hill." The flame is "guarded" by two soldiers who stand at attention.

The events that led to the Georgians receiving their freedom from the U.S.S.R. are well remembered by the people of Georgia.

Statues in front of the Parliament building.

The memorial stone in front of the Parliament building. We have often seen flowers laid at this site. On Remembrance Day, crowds gathered here, and there were "piles" of flowers at this site.

The military stand at attention at the honor memorial.

The weather was nice, but we needed a rest after our long walk.

CLICK HERE to view traffic on the cobblestone hill.

The white Bengal tiger paced back and forth at the zoo. We viewed it from a high walk - we did not go into the zoo. It did not look too inviting for both humans and for the animals.

I got all excited again when I saw the students at the University of Tbilisi. It makes me think about all the joys of campus ministry.

 

The chapel at the University.

The baptistry outside of the little university chapel.

One of many beggar women seen along the sidewalks and underpasses. I have no idea why they are begging except that they simply may be poor.