VISIT TO GEORGIA (SURPRISE!)

We left the "colds" of Wisconsin on Wednesday afternoon and traveled to Tbilisi, Georgia, arriving at 3:15 am on Friday morning.

You might think that we just wanted to escape the snows of Wisconsin and take a short trip to Georgia, but, no, we're on a BIG jaunt to Georgia situated between the Black and Caspian Seas. We're here with my brother, John, and his wife, Cheryl, to visit their son, Jon Matthew and Julissa and their two children, Alba and Matthius. The posts until April 22 will be of our adventures in this country that some have called "the most beautiful country in the world."

On the way, we had a nine hour layover in Munich, so we took advantage of the time and hopped a train in 30 degree weather and headed to the Town Center.We had been told that you could get a feel for this city by visiting just a microcosm in the center of Munich.

You know you're in a foreign country when this is one of the train stops.

Most famous in Munich is the Glockenspiel, although in winter it doesn't operate.

Cheryl and Karol ready for some touring and shopping action.

Munich has lots of walking space in the Town Center area. Lots of students (maybe they were on Spring/Easter break).

One of the fountains surrounded by students just taking life easy.

Lots of flower shops with tulips, daffodils, and roses were available along the walkway.

The temptation to purchase was great!

But, of course, we were attracted to the shops selling characteristically German.

The Town Center boasted a huge market area: fruit and vegetables, meat, prepared foods, and lots of souvenier shops.

Ham, sausage, head cheese.....the smells were irresistable.

A seafood store where you can either purchase the seafood or have your lunch prepared for you.

Because the area had few streets, but lots of paved walking areas, bikes were a preferred means of transport. Bikers were polite in that in heavy pedestrian traffic, they walked their bikes.

Purchasing fruit

and trinkets.

The cheese store....the green block in the front is wasabi cheese.

What more could you ask for?

Munich is claimed to be the "Beer capital of the World." The beer gardens were full in spite of the cool weather (and it was about 35 to 40 degrees.

The interior of Frauenkirche.

A stein of beer with good conversation.

Frauenkirche is located in the town center - a huge facility.

Our last stop was Ratskeller on the square where we had some good dark beer and some fresh bread.

Following our time in the Town Center, we headed back to the airport to wait for our 9:20 pm flight to Tbilisi. We arrived in Georgia at 3:15 am to meet Jon at the airport. We found our way around in their 4000 square foot apartment and quickly headed to bed to sleep until 11 or 12 am (Friday).

Keep tuned for our exciting adventures..............