Tbilisi Travel Blog

[Chuck Stromme]

Some of you know that I leave for Tbilisi, Georgia, this Friday, Jan. 16. I'll be back the evening of Feb. 14. I've got a 4-week consulting gig with an EU tax reform project.

I dread the travel. This will be my quickest trip ever, just 21 hours, 22 hours home. It has ranged up to 32+. With my big butt in an economy-class seat that long it is almost enough to make me stay home. I say almost because I would likely have made the trip on my own dime sometime this year to visit friends there and the orphanages we support through CCRFund. It's always better to make the trip at someone else's expense. Edythe will join me for the middle two weeks IF she can get her trip confirmed. That isn't working so far.

Georgia is a wonderful, if pretty screwed up, country. Hey, if it wasn't screwed up they wouldn't need me. My friends there are great. I am always conflicted about going to Tbilisi. When I'm home I don't want to go. When I'm there I don't want to come home.

Tonight is rest, tomorrow the packing and getting ready begins, as well as putting my things at home in order as best I can. One big question: What books to take? I usually plan on one book each direction plus a book a week plus one extra, "just in case". They have to be paperbacks that will fit in my travel vest pocket. No, only one at a time, the rest go in a suitcase. Fortunately, I have a lot to choose from. Can't be too good, though, because I usually leave them there and I don't want to leave ones that my darlin' wife would want to read.

Couldn't pack this weekend. The Ls (daughter Lisa, her husband Luke and granddaughter Lucy) were here and we enjoyed their company. Tomorrow the suitcases and stuff to be packed start going into the guest bedroom and the packing begins. I'm limited to two bags plus a laptop and a carry-on. That's just fine for a few days but I'll be working there for a month. Three bags would be better but the company won't spring for the excess baggage allowance. I'm only willing to sacrifice so much for 20 paid days.

I decided to write a blog about this trip. I have been to Tbilisi many times before. I have always confined my writing to emails. This time will be a little different.

Malkhaz D. is a member here and a noted Georgian archaeologist. He discovered a castle and monastery, Shorety, down near the Turkish border. Fascinating place. I've been there and I even found a buried relic from the last Turkish invasion with my metal detector, a censer, one of those things you carry and burn incense in. Found a few other interesting things, too. I'll be seeing Malkhaz next week before he travels to Hollywood to work on a documentary of some sort. I'll also see Levan and Sopo, two other members who are like family to me. With any luck, Levan will remember to pick me up Saturday evening. That's another good thing about this itinerary. I arrive at 6:10 PM local instead of the usual 0345. With any luck I'll be at the hotel a little after 7 PM.

The pre-journey begins tomorrow.

[Chuck Stromme]

I arrived on time, 6:10 PM, and there was a big welcoming party waiting for me at the airport: Sopo, Levan, Amiran, Guram, Boria and Zurab. My luggage was just about the first off the carousel, all three, and off we went. I bought coffees downstairs here at the hotel for everyone (think Starbucks prices, average drinks) and I called Edythe. Eventually I went up to the room with Boria, Zurab and Sopo. We talked for a couple more hours, even though I think I was nodding off. Then they left and I went to sleep. I slept for two hours, woke up, slept for another hour or so and I was done. I've been exhausted all day and I'm going to bed shortly. Sleep adjustment is a big problem when you come here from the US. Both ways, but it's easier to adjust when you're sleeping in your own bed.

The trip was no worse than usual and unusually short, less than 22 hours. There's nothing you can do so I just try to stay calm, read and sleep if I can. The trip to Amsterdam was 100% full but the trip from Amsterdam-Tbilisi was probably less than 50% full. I had an exit row to myself. The food made ordinary airline food look good so just coffee for me, thanks. The one thing that I thought might be fruit turned out to be beet squares. I know lots of people love beets but not me.

Today was full of visiting friends again, as will tomorrow be. I start work on Tuesday. I have no trepidation about the work. Who knows, if I do OK they may even invite me back.

The weather here is a lot like Eugene year-round. Today was chilly but mostly clear and a stedy wind picked up in late afternoon.

More will be revealed.

[Chuck Stromme]

Pretty much, thanks to Edythe, as usual. Predictable.

Just spoke to Boria. He and Levan will pick me up at the airport. Probably Guram and Amiran too. I hate this travel, I really do.

[Chuck Stromme]

Due to some setbacks and general laziness, I haven't started packing yet. It's lame and predictable. That's me in a nutshell. Today is a a vet visit (for the dog, not me), a Costco run, pick up some new pants, bank, come home and pack. My darlin' wife has seen this act too many times by now. She sighs, packs for me, I promise to do better. Predictable.

First time we've gone a day without a new post. Post-holiday blues, I think. Writing here will help you fell better about pretty much everything, even packing failure.

I leave Eugene tomorrow morning. I dread the travel but I'm looking forward to seeing old friends and visiting our orphanages. I'll also bring home some interesting collectibles that I have paid for since my last visit.

Chuck