Six Word Saturday, hosted by Debbie at Travel with Intent.
Art
Thursday Thoughts – Glimpses of Modern Tbilisi
More of Tbilisi, Georgia – there is, of course, a modern part of it as well…even if that was not the main reason for my visit!
Strolling the busy streets, I looked through the windows of different restaurants and shops – and saw this fantastic wallpaper, with lamps in an oval shape.
The overall photo sits last in this gallery – there you will find the first three of these architectural wonders – more facts in the pictures.
A would be Concert hall – empty interior, all the money spent on the exterior. See the header!
Peace Bridge – or ”Always ultra”, beacause of its likeness to a sanitary towel…see the overall, last photo in this gallery.
This passage was filled with murals and graffiti – too narrow to get a good shot though…
Out in the street again
I just had to go back for a closer look at the wallpaper – fascinating history become art? Anyway – I just loved it. It covered the whole interior, quite a large room. I would love to have a piece of it framed on my wall. So many different faces – Please click to enlarge – and you get the feeling!
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #81 – Find Something Red
Give me juicy autumnal fruit, ripe and red from the orchard. – Walt Whitman
”No matter what the season, this color is emotional, fiery, and sensual. It is hopeful and passionate.” The description unmistakably belongs to the colour Red. This week Patti invites us to a photo scavenger hunt to find things red. Check out her special offerings!
This is what I found… starting with a tiny dot… growing into more and more of… Red.
And as Christian Dior said – There is certainly a red for everyone
O my Luve is like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve is like the melody
That’s sweetly played in tune.
Through the rear window of an old camper – despite the jumble and reflections, your eyes go for the red spots and the roses. You can’t go wrong with red roses, ever. Trust the poets – and your heart.
Finally, even though a bit faded – a phone shot of my garden and Flammentanz roses.
A Special Announcement: All of us at Lens-Artists are delighted to announce that next week’s challenge (#82) will be hosted by our special guest host, Viveka of My Guilty Pleasures. Please be sure to visit Viveka’s site on Saturday, February 1st to view her challenge. For the rest of February, we’ll return to our usual weekly schedule:
- Feb. 8 – Ann-Christine of Leya
- Feb. 15 – Amy of The World is A Book
- Feb. 22 – Tina of Travels and Trifles
- Feb. 29–Patti of P.A. Moed
As always, we are all looking forward to seeing your creative responses to the challenge – and thank you for your support!
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #80 – Leading Lines
”Be creative – there are lines everywhere. Footsteps in the sand, train tracks, the walls of a town on a narrow street, a row of arches on a building or of lights at night, a babbling brook or a winding river – it’s up to you to see and shoot them.” Tina’s challenge this week is Leading Lines.
Lines natural or man made – or both! In the header, a church in Stettin.
Lines on the ground I am walking – a hike to Svartisen glacier, Norway.
Lines from more than one direction, still leading your eye to the target.
A spectacular lamp fills the room at Kosta Boda Spa Hotel – its lines are also reflected in the windows.
The Concert Hall of Stettin – lines striving for the camera window high up on the wall.
An exhibition in Denmark – but lines are leading to the lady in red!
Vadstena, Sweden – a foggy morning – how close are the trees at the end of the bridge?
Drying fish in Norway – a classic leading lines shot.
Of course I had to finish with my cats again…The Balkans tour in December brought some different leading lines – but still, I hope they are leading your eyes the right way. Click them up full size to follow them all the way!
We invite you to join us this week and explore Tina’s wonderful theme. As usual, Tina, Amy, Patti and I value your creative responses and thoughts. Thanks for joining us!
Remember to link to Tina’s original post, and tag it with “Lens-Artists.” If you’re new to tagging, click here for an explanation of how and why. Remember your post will get more views and comments if you tag. If you’ve not seen our Tag Section yet in the Word Press Reader, click here to see it.
It will be Patti’s turn to host Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #81 on Saturday, January 25, 2020. Hope to see you then!
Thursday Thoughts – Taking a Bath
In the header, the Orbeliani bathhouse, Tbilisi.
According to the legend, the king of ancient Iberia, Vakhtang I Gorgasali, (5th C) once hunted in the forests near the first capital of Georgia – Mtskheta. After some time, he saw a pheasant, then shot and killed the bird. The king sent his falcon to find the prey, but the falcon flew away, and the king lost sight of him. In search of the two birds, the king and his hunters finally found them – in a hot water spring. Amazed with this find of sulphuric hot springs, Vakhtang decided to build his city here.
Thus, according to legend, the city of Tbilisi was founded. The word «Tbilisi» is translated from Georgian as a city of ”warm location”.
Since then, the baths have been of great value to Tbilisi – also depending upon the city’s proximity to the lucrative Silk Road. In the 13th century there were 60 baths here, but today they are reduced to less than 10.
Famous people who took baths here are Alexander Dumas and the poet Alexander Pushkin. A plaque on the entrance to the Orbeliani Baths shows a quote from Pushkin, where he describes the baths as ‘luxurious’. The bathhouse also has got a Pushkin Suite.
Today the baths are still used by many locals, particularly the elderly, who come to benefit from the healing properties of the sulphur. It is said to help in the treatment of eczema, arthritic pain and digestive problems.
We rented a room with a bath, shower and toilet for one hour, but, the heat made us leave after 30 minutes. On leaving, we asked in the reception how hot the water really was – 45 degrees C! Icelandic baths hold 38-42 degrees, no wonder we had to give in…
You are not allowed to walk on the domes… but many children did. And grown-ups taking selfies, of course setting good examples…
If you ever visit Tbilisi, I recommend you try the baths – for the feeling and for the beauty of the interior! If you ask, you might be allowed inside just for a look.
Thursday Thoughts – Pur Pur
This is Pur Pur, another magical restaurant In Tbilisi, Georgia.
A bit hard to find though – in the middle of this big construction site called – Tbilisi. Luckily there were some signs on the way…
…so, finally we found Pur Pur, in the old town area. Resting close to a peaceful park –
– leaning against another house, it was one of the last houses still standing. Just open the door, walk slowly up the stairs, enter the room, and you will be enveloped in its warm, rich and creative atmosphere!
Their food is delicious, and so is the Georgian wine. We got the blue table by the window, where we had our farewell dinner, saying goodbye to a very special country, a very special city and a very special people.
If you ever find Pur Pur while roaming the world – (it might not be found in the same house by then…) I do recommend you to drop in – and not only for the food and the wine. You will leave a richer person than you first arrived here.
Thursday Thoughts – Cafe Leyla
All grey and drizzle today, just like the last 6 weeks here in Skåne. My thoughts wander to the lovely Cafe Leyla in Tbilisi. Let’s peep inside!
This place will surprise you with a healthy dining experience: they serve only village – grown, non – GMO and seasonal products.
Try some of their honey and apple homemade vodkas – they taste just like the cafe looks!
Sweet people will take good care of you – and the food is delicious.
The interior design is Oriental, and just like I want it – no loud music. Only people silently talking and discussing. If you ever visit Tbilisi, be sure to go to Leyla´s when your bones need a rest and your eyes need a refreshed view and your stomach says ”feed me”. It’s lovely to sit outdoors as well.
Thursday Thoughts – Udabno and Sighnaghi
Udabno, at first sight, seems a forgotten place in the desert. Originally a Soviet built village – but then abandoned and left to the last, striving old farmers. Since about 8-10 years it has been brought to life again, by a Polish guy who fell in love with Georgia when traveling the countryside. His idea was to build a restaurant and hostel for people driving through on their way to David Gareja (the monastery I posted on before). This turned out quite well – and his Oasis is thriving. They promise delicious Georgian food and friendly people – and on top you get dogs and cats at your feet, charming the guests.
Oasis in the desert
Our charming guide
Companions
A lovely girl
Churchkhela – top candy!
How to bake bread
Sighnaghi, the pearl of the Kakheti region, is one of the most important villages in Georgia’s greatest wine district. The oldest parts are from the 18th century, with a 4-5 km town wall. We also heard it was considered maybe the most beautiful village in Georgia. Built 790 meters above sea level, it overlooks the glorious Alazani Valley and the Caucasus Mountains. In fact almost every part of it was restored by Italian architects, and paid for by the mighty family Sjevardnadze.
We learned that the cradle of Wine is Kaukasus, and Georgia has the oldest wine traditions in the world, second only to Armenia. 8000 years old Clay barrels for wine making have been found here. The wine making was unique – and still is today. The grapes were put in the clay barrels that were buried in the ground for fermentation – no additives…not even sugar. 100% ecological.
No wonder the wine tastes heavenly. We tried three different Saperavi wines from the OKRO`s Wines, relaxing on a terrace overlooking a lovely cat overlooking the whole valley and the mountains. Finishing off with a mild Chacha (70% – but not noticeable).
Cheers! Once tasted – never forgotten.
In the end I thought the strict rules applied for making these Georgian wines exceeded all intricate EU-rules, making EU not fully able to realize the fantastic quality of these wines – and therefore not marketing them as they should. Rather interesting…
A war monument with thousands of names from the area, meant another moment of contemplation. So many horrors and so many wars this country has suffered. And still – inhabited by upright, friendly and hospitable people.
We hit the road again, and our knowledgeable guide remembered my talking about a photo of the grape vendors…This party was packing up for the night, but we stopped for a chat and a photo. Sweet guys…in the end I jumped in the car with some kilos of the sweet grapes too (not the guys!)! I was not allowed to pay anything…but hugs were free!
Wordless Wednesday
Thursday Thoughts – Hot Spot Fabrika
Fabrika, Tbilisi, ”Once a soviet sewing factory, has been revived and transformed into a multi-functional urban space bringing together enthusiastic individuals ready to stretch their minds with new exhilarating experiences.” This is how this urban hot spot describes itself to potential visitors – let’s have a look!
”With its striking “old-meets-new” attitude, Fabrika oozes genuinely cool soviet vibes blended with funky industrial elements.
It has become the symbol of renovation, recreation and reinvention.”
I loved the graffitti…
The spacious yard – not many there in the middle of the day, but, I could easily imagine the crowds on a hot summer’s night!
Why not step inside? Everything so airy and colourful. Youngsters working or relaxing, playing games or just sleeping. Rather quiet at this time of the day…and no heavy music. – Which was much appreciated by me – generally there is too much music, all the time and everywhere in society. Sometimes I find it difficult to hear my own thoughts…
The hostel seemed popular, and the food was tasty. People dropping in and out every minute. Fabrika prides itself of being the creative center of Tbilisi –
…and I do believe it is. Maybe next time we will drop in a late evening for the joy of the creative process. The Georgians we met were very good at English, and I would not say no to a night of fruitful discussions on Life – over a cool drink. Before it is over.
We walked back through the streets, with the ”old-meets-new” feeling lingering all the way home. I wonder for how long Old Tbilisi will keep its ”Old” part.
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