doors, windows, balconies

The Windows are the eyes and ears. 
The old sit behind, gazing out onto the never ending flow. 

Watching 
The flower and the  fruit vendors selling their wares. 

Smelling 
The Aromas of the puri baking and the  BBQ cooking. 

 Listening 
To the dogs barking, the cars tooting and the babies crying .

Buildings crumbling, still inhabited retain the tears,
the laughter and the unfulfilled wishes of past generations,
The smell of time circulating amongst the new.

Deserted balconies stand silent 

Doors stand closed

Holy Mountain

The weather in Tbilisi is still beautiful. The days are full of sunshine, but have that hint of crisp winter air. This morning we packed a small pack with walking essentials, water and candy and headed off on a little hike.
Towering 800 metres over the centre of the city is Mount Mtastsminda. We live at the foot of the holy mountain and often visit the theme park at the top. There are three ways to get up the mountain, by car, funicular or walking. The walk takes you around the side of the mountain, up many stairs (which have not been counted) and through the bush, this is the only way to really appreciate some of the best views of the city. Today we decided to take the funicular to the top and walk down around the mountain, as all amounts of candy would not have got one un named child up the path...

Starting out from home

Funicular Entry

Going up

Candy and water break. For a candy break they don't look very happy.

Views of the city, with the river in the distance

A little prayer place along our journey

Our walk started under the tower that you can see on the left.
Nearly home.

City Snap Shots

City Snap Shots

Love This Church

This is the first thing you see when you look out onto the city from our apartment. It stands opposite us dominating the horizon and reminding everyone how important religion is to the people of this country. It gleams in the sun and beautifully lights up the night sky.
We made our first visit to this church during the Christmas break. The day was beautiful, but very fresh, a cool 0 degrees. The ice in the fountains had frozen, and the ponds had a thick crystal slab covering them. If you look close at some of my photos you will see a small blurry patch on them, even the camera was complaining about the cold.

Night view from our apartment

Z

The view looking back towards our place

St George Day

Today 23 November is  St. George's Day.  A public holiday for most.  I had to google the event as I wasnt sure what it was about, the piece below is what I found. 

St. George the Victorious, who stately sits on horseback, hitting a serpent, is the most beloved and revered Christian saint in Georgia. According to ancient legend, reverence of the memory of the beloved brother was bequeathed to the Georgians by St. Nino, who converted Georgia in the Christian faith. History of St. George dates back to the beginning of our era, the dawn of Christianity.

George served as a commander under Roman emperor Diocletian, and became the patron of all Christians who have suffered on violence and harassment. For this he was subjected to a terrible torture: he was committed to breaking on the wheel, when rotating the wheel brings into motion a set of knives and lances, which dig into the victim's body.

Christian Church canonized St. George as the Great Martyr and Saint. But for Georgia, he became the patron and protector, and the day when he was broken on the wheel - November 23 - became big religious holiday in Georgia. On this day bells are ringing in all the churches. Believers pray to St. George for welfare, peace and health. In the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi is held a solemn liturgy. November 23 in Georgia is a day off. The Georgians devote their leisure to themselves, their family, friends and relatives. On this day the tables are covered with a beautiful cloth, people celebrate, sing traditional Georgian songs.

Via Advantour