Georgia

A friendlier people I have never met, or at least not in Europe. Georgians are famous for their hospitality, and rightfully so. Guests are treated like monarchs here. In a ride out to Bakuriani, it somehow came out that I had never seen a pig or a chicken. This is now no longer the case. On my first day some guys escorted me to a farm so I could see both a pig and a chicken together. The pig was lying lazily in a pile of mud and the chickens were walking about aimlessly in circles making strange noises. I was given the chance to kill one, which I declined. The hospitality continued. Not just were our hosts over the top in their efforts, but it seemed the whole population was as well. I walked into a café and the next thing I knew I was sitting around a table having the receipt for Khachipuri explained to me in great detail by the owner. Any time I got lost wandering about, I just stopped people on the street who often insisted on escorting me all the way to my destination. I speak no Georgian, but I found that almost everyone spoke fluent Russian, and unlike in some places (like the Baltics states) people were quite happy to speak with me in Russian, and never once did anyone make a nasty comment. Actually, while the Russian government, and Putin in particular, in universally despised, I did not sense real hostility towards the Russian people, although there were often tones of condensation. The laws of hospitality seem to eliminate the potential of rudeness towards foreigners. Then, of course, there is the over the top Caucasus treatment of women. My bags, even my handbags, are carried at all times. Chairs are pulled out, drinks are poured, and every time I approach a door, all the men queue along side and nod politely as I pass first them all. It is a bit hard to get used to, but I know the intentions are good. And then there is the foooood….