Georgia, Day Two

City Sightseeing 

After our own devotions, we wandered the streets of the old town today, starting with the Trinity Cathedral in daylight.

Bell tower

Stone work everywhere.

In the nave looking toward chancel, during a service. People all stand. Most don’t stay for the whole service, which is often, but not always, non-participatory. Some people go from icon to icon and touch it and say prayers. There is a strict dress code: women may not wear pants, nor have bare shoulders or knees, and must cover their heads. Men may not wear shorts or skimpy tops. Skirts are available for both who don’t come appropriately attired. 

Icons of all sorts and subjects, in all qualities filled the church space. They seemed to be gifts from the people or patrons. This one is painted, though for an icon it is called “writing” the work, because it is considered a form of prayer.

This one is embroidered in colored and gold threads and beaded with pearls. It is large.

This one is metal relief in a carved wood setting of the archangel Michael. It is under glass, thus the reflections. 

This one is wood and wood and wood.

This is a beautifully rendered very old one painted, gilded, and set in wood.

This one is set with and framed in gems and abalone. 

And the cathedral itself is set in lovely gardens. 

And the surrounding streets are full of produce stands and shops with the bounties of summer harvest. 

Everything seems to be open ALL the time, and even heavy construction was going on on Sunday.

These are walnuts strung and dipped into some edible covering, quite tasty.

And random sights:

Cobblestone laying

Exchange rate, about 3 GAR to 1 $/Fr/€

A car to rent. Don’t bring much luggage. 

Most cars here are quite fancy. But not all…

Yep, still in use.

The chandelier has icons on it.

Overlooking the River that divides the city. Names are impossible strings of consonants. 

The waves green roof in the background is a pedestrian bridge, the Peace Bridge, Italian designed, with a light show at night. 

On the bridge, under the glass roof. 

Europe Square, where tourists come in buses. Note the red-crosses-on-white flags; those are Georgia’s. 

That square has a special tree ….

…and a piece of the Berlin Wall. 

And the cable car station to the top of the hills overlooking the city. We rode up.

And saw the twenty meter high female figure Statue from Georgias 1500th anniversary, in the 1950’s. 

In one hand she holds wine to welcome friends, and in the other she holds a sword to repel enemies. 

There are Botanical Gardens below, but we didn’t visit them.

And note the wild cacti. Georgia is quite dry in areas.

And, on this ridge is a very ancient fortification, from at least the 4th century. Muslims and Mongols held it for segments of its history. It is what we saw lit in the distance last night. This is what is left inside. 

The views are grand. 

The brick buildings with round tops are the ancient, still-used thermal baths. The sulfur waters are healing and the geothermal energy provides heat for the city.

Note the Mosque in the lower right corner. It serves both Sunni and Shiite Muslims, very rare. 

The city also has a Synagogue. Jews first came here at the time of the Babylonian Captivity in the sixth e century BC! and have had a community here since then.

View from the fortress. Note minaret.

Old grave stones by the church built on the fortress grounds. There are churches absolutely everywhere.

From up on that ridge, we went down, back into the city, to sit a bit in a park, while I sketched, then we got drinks to rehydrate on a hot day, then we had a break for writing in travel journals, and such. 

So, Part Two will follow….