Welcome to Tbilisi, Georiga
February 14-21 2011
14.02.2011 - 21.02.2011
February 14th, 2011 we touch down in Tbilisi, Georgia a 4:50am. We were brought to D Plaza which was the hotel we were staying at. At 8:30 breakfast was going to be served and then our itinerary was to begin. Needless to say half of everyone was asleep (including myself - Audra). We had our medical checks at 12:30, but we missed those because we were sleeping. Everyone in TLG was wonderful though because they said we could take it the following day.
The TLG staff, mainly Tamara and Tatita, asked us if we wanted to walk around Tbilisi. The TLG group 12 with a resounding cheer said YES and around 4pm we began our trek through Tbilisi.
Our first view in the daylight: 
Not exactly what we were expecting.
Continuing down Rustaveli Street. 
To get to most everything in Tbilisi, Rustaveli street will get you there. Shota Rustaveli was a very proliferate poet back in 12 century and his writings would eventually end up being the Georgian national epic poem. Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shota_Rustaveli
Then we started making our way down to old town Tbilisi. In order to make revenue, the government has built up this area which is directed towards tourists and those with lots of money. It's new and cute with little ice cream shops, cafes and European restaurants all about. 
It was starting to become dusk but we wanted to see more. Just like every tourist we had our camera out for any photo opportunity and weren't going to a little bit of dusk get in our way!!
After a long and exhausting first day we were ready to head back to the hotel and FINALLY get some sleep!!
Then came the week long orientation of Georgian language class, how to teach classes in a lecture form (we all weren't thrilled about that class), insurance, intercultural training, banking, phones, and soo much more. If the first day wasn't exhausting enough, the following days were!
Then the snow came. Tony was overwhelmed because this was his first time really being in the snow since he was 13 (lucky for him there would be a lot). 
We finally made it to our half way point in the orientation and the half way point was the only free night we had to go out into Tbilisi and relax! There were multiple ideas being thrown out of things to do, but eventually we made it to the Beatles Bar. All in all, it was a wonderful time! We got to visit with our new friends, have Georgian beer and dance! 
Then on Monday, Feb 21st we departed the D Plaza. The anticipation is nerve racking and my anxiety rises as we await to meet someone who will take us somewhere in Rustavi (which is now our home). We all say our good bye's and hope that everyone makes it safely to where ever they are going. There's not really anything to describe this feeling except excitement rolled with angst, but we knew it would be good. 
Posted by almchenry 17.03.2011 02:14 Archived in Georgia
