Snapshots – Around the World

Beautiful Ananuri, a Georgian gem north of Tbilisi

Our wild minibus driver swung through the mountain roads leading south to the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.  This was par for the course in Georgia, so I paid no heed as my bags hit my lip and careened down the aisle, or no more mind than usual.

But this time, realizing he was driving an American, a Frenchman and one mysterious silent European, the driver veered off course with a slam on his brakes.  And BOOM, there we were, at beautiful Ananuri, a famous and perfectly situated historic church perched above the river.  We dashed out, stumbling over the knees of local Georgians only mildly surprised at the sudden tourist break. Several quick clicks later and we bundled ourselves back in and hurtled onward to Tbilisi.

A lovely stop, a proud and paternal driver, a wonderful Georgian moment.

Sweet Failure: Tea at Ishakpasa Sarayi in Eastern Turkey

For hours we drove through Eastern Anatolia, making for the bustling merchant town of Dogubayazit on the border with Iran. The guidebooks describe it as dusty and dangerous, but its flavor and color was intoxicating.

And above the city, the lustrous jewel of Turkey, its Ishakpasha Palace. Beautiful, exotic, most exquisite. And also locked for renovation. No matter, we ordered tea at this little cafe and enjoyed the view with that most enchanting soundtrack of Turkey, the call to prayer, playing through the mountains and valleys.

Gorgeous, and highly recommended.

Mtskheta Church, Republic of Georgia

Jody actually thought I wouldn’t notice her feeding a stray dog, despite all my warnings. *sigh*

This dog probably never got a kind look lobbed its way, leave alone grub. He followed her all the way down, hoping to be invited home with us. At least it wasn’t one of the cadaverous, ravenous, wild types that aren’t that uncommon there. It took me a while to adjust to American dogs again.

Mtskheta is one of Georgia’s finest and most important ancient cities, a religious cradle for the Orthodox Christian country. This particular church stands on a mountain peak, gazing over the road from Tbilisi to Gori, and the beautiful Mtkvari and Aragvi Rivers coursing below it.

The ride from Tbilisi to Mtskheta is only 20 minutes (or less, depending on how deranged your minibus driver is), and costs…I think less than 2 Lari. And the best–and I mean the BEST–khinkali are sold in a gorgeous restaurant on the outskirts of town. I *think* it’s called the Salobio… The Salobio something.  So there’s a strong rec for you!