The Republic of Georgia

I was asked to join this trip as the documentarian, and I have to admit, I spent the night I discovered that I was going to Georgia, the country, searching Google maps and zooming in to see where this country was. The Republic of Georgia borders Turkey and Armenia, and is a diverse melting pot of Asian, Byzantine, and Soviet cultures, rich in spirit and hardships. I had no idea what to expect visiting this faraway land, and I was in awe at the magic Georgia had to offer—from the people, to the terrain, the food, and the simple passion of winemaking that runs deep in their veins, like the vines that grow in the gardens of the Georgian people.

Observations of Georgia:

+The air smells of sun-ripened grapes and firewood

+Fruit sellers nestle into alleyways, their produce glints like hidden, secret jewels against concrete walls

+Seeing people in windows or on their balconies lining the streets of tbilisi

+Beautiful street art

+Warm-hearted people with amazing fashion sense

+Khachapuri is eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

+Chacha will simultaneously invigorate and blast you into a tipsy state with a just a sip

+Wine is consumed like water—and is offered more frequently than water

+Bread is the centerpiece to every meal

+There is a hearty, joyous smile waiting behind every weathered face

+The Isabella grape is a fragrant, magical variety that is perfumed, sweet, and just a touch tart

+Supras are magical feasts where strangers and families get together and share wine and lavish spreads of food and toast to life and blessings and your wine glass never runs near empty

+Hospitality courses deep in Georgian’s blood

+There is no end time to a gathering. If guests want to stay until midnight, the gathering will maybe end at two in the morning

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