Tbilisi's Stonehenge

After doing a little bit of research I found out that this monument is a massive art project called The Chronicle of Georgia (or The History of Georgia)

The monument consists of massive pillars with horizontal pillars across the top.  The pillars are decorated with scenes from Jesus life and the history of Georgia.  It was designed by a well known Georgian artist Zurab Tsereteli.

View from the road 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stairs Leading up to the monument

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All in a row.  I'm not sure if these are kings or saints or something else

One of the panels depicting Georgian History or Religion

These things are big.  Check out the size of the seat in the bottom left.

Oh So Happy

Ruebe-Haigs version of HAPPY   Inspired by Pharrell Williams

This is the original post from the HAPPY song that got taken down for some reason back in early April.  Hopefully this wont happen again. 

On this particular day this particular family was a little grumpy, actually on many days leading up to this particular day this particular family was a little grumpy. But today the sun was finally shining and it was time to get out of the house

What to do?

Sometimes in this big city it is hard to find something to do that is easy to find, clean and safe, but I  had an idea.  I had looked at this large thing on the hill many times on our drives out to the Tbilisi Sea, but nobody seemed very interested to visit.

Today they had no choice, so with a picnic packed, as food always seems to help, we set off on a short little journey.  What they didn't know was, I was going to make a little video when we got there and what better way to help the Whanau feel a little bit happier, than to play the Happy song and act a little crazy.  See this Mama doesn't like to see herself on the other side of the camera so I had to dig deep and just get over it.

I got everyone to act a little crazy and get a little HAPPY.

The Georgian Table

Badrijani Nigvzit

This is one of my favourite dishes but don't ask me how to pronounce it. In English, this is fried eggplant rolls filled with walnut paste. Walnut paste is used in a lot of Georgian dishes, on salads, fish and vegetables. It did take me a while to get a taste for it but I love it now. Badrijani Nigvzit can be a little oily but the flavours are spiced with garlic and coriander, textured with ground walnuts, and garnished with tart pomegranate seeds… I’m addicted.

Recipe

3 medium eggplants

salt

1/2 cup walnuts

3 cloves garlic

a sliver of onion, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon blue fenugreek

1/2 teaspoon coriander

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried marigold

finely chopped parsley and cilantro, totaling about 3 tablespoons combined (again, adapt to taste)

5 tablespoons white vinegar

salt and pepper, to taste

3 tablespoons water

pomegranate seeds to garnish

vegetable or peanut oil (or any other oil with a high smoke point)

1. Prepare the eggplant: slice the top off each eggplant. Unless the peel seems particularly thick, there is no need to peel. Slice eggplant from top to bottom into roughly 1/4 inch thick slices. Lay the slices in one layer on a paper towel-lined sheet and liberally apply salt. Let sit at least 30 minutes to expel liquid, then rinse and drain the slices in a colander. Pat dry and set aside.

2. Prepare the filling:

Grind walnuts and garlic in a food processor or mortar and pestle. Place in a bowl and add the onion, and spices cilantro and parsley, vinegar, water, salt, and pepper. Stir well. Set aside.

3. Cook the eggplant: In a lage skillet, heat a thin layer of oil over medium heat. Add the eggplant in a single layer and don’t crowd them too much. Work in batches if you have to, adding more oil if needed to prevent sticking. Cook the eggplant until golden brown and easily pierced with a fork. If in doubt, try tasting a little nibble – if the texture is chewy or rubbery, cook a little longer. It should be soft, and delicious. Set the cooked strips aside on more paper towel-lined sheets.

4. Assemble: when the eggplant is cool enough to handle, place a spoonful of filling on one end of a strip. Roll the eggplant closed. Place seam-side down onto serving platter, cover, and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight.

5. Serve the rolls at room temperature garnished with pomegranate seeds.

These are best prepared at least two hours in advance of serving, and are even great prepared a day in advance. This allows the garlic to mellow and the flavors to meld.

 

Another Georgian Feast

Last weekend we were invited to a friends, family home, about 20 minutes out of the city. In true Georgian style an amazing supra was put on. I just love homemade traditional Georgian food. BBQ pork, tender stews, fresh Geogian bread and cheese, fresh khachapuri, eggplant and walnut sauce with and the best home made wine I have tasted.

A supra is something that you have to experience. We have had friends from NZ experience supra's with us, one thing we always tell them is to take it slowly, the food just keeps coming and coming. The tables are laden with food and wine, friends, guests, family and extended family all gather to eat and make toasts. There are plenty of toasts. The supra is something that is not to be rushed.

 

 

Just Plain Old Pakeha

I admit I spend a great deal of my free time catching up on the latest photography, fashion, food, family and news blogs.  As I have said before, this is the only way I can keep in touch with what goes on in the rest of the world.  I read the NZ Herald on line everyday and  the occasional Stuff web page, I watch TVNZ news clips on the Internet and watch CNN and BBC in English on the TV.   I like to keep up with what is happening at home and also how our news reporters and journalists view what is happening in the world.

To the point of this post.  I was sent a link to a blog, news blog I guess. The article that has got me thinking is about 'the lack of information and reporting of one of the New Zealander's on the  Malaysian flight MH370.  It talks about why one of the passengers on the flight has been reported about and the other (by this report)  has been labelled the invisible passenger.  It suggests that the invisible passenger is not as equal a New Zealander as the Pakeha man and that because his name wasn't very Pakeha sounding, mainstream media has little interest in reporting about him.  Really.   Because what I have got out of all the articles that I have read is that his family don't want to make a comment and just maybe the media is respecting their wishes.
At the moment does his family really care about this.  Are they thinking poor us we are getting less media attention than the other family, no I think not.  I think they just want to grieve in peace.

As I sit and think about how I feel about this article and what thoughts and feelings it brings forward for me, I wonder 'if I wasn't just plain old Pakeha would I feel differently'.
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I would love your thoughts on this.

First Ski Lessons

Milton and the girls headed to the ski field of Gudari on Friday. The Girls had their first ever ski lessons. As in true Molly fashion she took to it like a duck to water. Lily enjoyed her hours lesson with the Georgian speaking instructor but was happy to spend time playing with her friend.

Riding the ski lift

Molly's lesson while holding instructors poles

Lily's instructor adjusting her skis, he wasn't very good at charades

and she's away

I asked the girls to take lots of photos on their trip because I couldn't go. This is what my budding photographers took on the journey up to the mountain.

Arrogance Or Ignorance

Big CONGRATULATIONS to Georgia on a great win in trying conditions. 35-0 over Belgium.

With the temperatures at a cool -5 degrees Lily and I packed a thermos and some comforting snacks, put on our snow gear and headed to the rugby with some friends. Considering the temperature outside, the game was a sellout and the stadium was packed.

Cold day at the rugby

First mistake of the day was to choose a seat at the bottom of the stand. A good idea I thought. Lily could entertain herself, play in the snow, make little snowmen and not be in anyone else's way.

Second mistake of the day, was to think that Georgian men would have the consideration not to stand in front of you while you watch the rugby. Oh I forgot, they probably thought because I am a woman I don't need to watch. I have no problem when everyone stands as things on the field get exciting. God knows I do my fair share of jumping up and down, but I have a problem when people stand on the path leaning against the railing to have a chat, drink beer and wrestle.

Third mistake, asking if they could move and being told that I should move higher up into the stand. At this point I'm just a little sick of them all and my blood starts to boil.

Forth mistake being in the path of a really annoyed camera man who took offence to being asked to move by someone and decided that he would use his fists to fix the problem. No harm came to me apart from a little loss of balance on the slippery concrete. Where is security, when you actually need them.

These camera men thought it would be a good idea to set up here just before half time.

Fifth and final mistake asking a couple of young men who had clearly been drinking to move ............... out of my way. My blood is now at boiling point. Bless his little cotton socks, this young man picked on the wrong lady. With his face a little too close to mine, he asked me to ask him nicely. Oh I'm guessing even with his very limited English he understood my reply and those of you who know me know I wouldn't have asked him nicely.

Don't get me wrong I love the experience of sitting in the stands watching the games, I love the atmosphere, the cheering and the support for the team. Some of you may be thinking, well that's just what you have to deal with when you are at a public event and I expect that maybe once or twice people will stand in front of me but the whole game, come on. What are these men thinking when they stop there 'oh she won't be watching the game, I will just stand here', do they actually think anything, or do they think it's just their right. I have no idea. But this sort of thoughtlessness happens in many different situations around this city.

arrogance

noun

noun: arrogance

1. 1.

   the quality of being arrogant.

   "the arrogance of this man is astounding"

   synonyms:

   haughtiness, conceit, hubris, self-importance, egotism, sense of superiority;

ignorance

noun

noun: ignorance

1. 1.

   lack of knowledge or information.

   "he acted in ignorance of basic procedures"

   synonyms:

   incomprehension, unawareness, unconsciousness, inexperience, innocence; More

   antonyms: