Day 1 in Tbilisi

So here I am, safely in Tbilisi. My flights were uneventful, though the trip felt awfully long. I flew Seattle-Frankfurt, and it was about 10 hours. I was in a middle seat in one of those huge aircraft with two seats, a row, four seats, a row, and two seats again. So many good chances for something other than a middle seat, but alas. My rowmates were great--quiet and courteous. Yay. Two seats ahead was a young family with a (screaming) baby and (screaming) toddler. No sleep for any of us on that flight.

The next hop from Frankfurt to Munich was uneventful, and I had a 9-hour layover in Munich. My teammate on this project, Jen, met me at the gate in Munich, and we flew on the same flight to Tbilisi, accompanied by a very loud, very angry toddler, but I had fished out my earplugs this time b/c he was screaming before we even boarded. So the flight was very pleasant. I was on a row with two men from Georgia who were so courteous; they introduced themselves to me and shook hands. Later in the flight, the older gentleman offered me his dessert b/c "a man should offer sweets to a lady." I didn't accept, but I was charmed.

We arrived at the hotel a little after 4 a.m. and left for the office a little after 10 a.m. There is no clock in the room, and I'd set my laptop to what it listed as the Tbilisi time zone but was actually an hour late. So this morning I was in the shower when the car pulled up for us. I was mortified. I threw on some clothes, grabbed my bag, and flew out the door. Powder and lipstick in the car and--poof!--we were at the office. It's a 5-minute walk from the hotel. I was embarrassed and flustered but acted happy and fine (and apologized to Jen, who I think was the only one who knew), and it turned out fine. We gave presentations to the leadership here and conducted several interviews, which went well and were so interesting. It's 6 p.m. here, and as soon as this post is done, I'm going to bed. Maybe dinner, maybe just bed. :) You can bet that my laptop is set to the correct time and that I will be up bright and early tomorrow!!

The people in the office were so nice, and my hotel room is fantastic. I've posted the pics I've taken so far below. Enjoy!

Below: The big box with the picture of someone reclining is a tiny rent-by-the-hour "nap cab" in the Munich airport. I was bleary and desperate for some sleep and rented four hours in the nab cab. You use a touchscreen by the door to choose the hours and then swipe a credit card. The door unlocks, and you can go in and use a touchscreen by the tiny bed to set an alarm, any music/relaxation noises, and the lighting.

Below: When I got out of the nap cab, I wanted to take a pic, but once I'd fished out my camera, the maid is so efficient, she'd already gone in and started cleaning! I asked if I could take a pic, and she said yes. You can see the tiny bed and touchscreen for setting the alarm; you also get a feel for the size. It's just right for someone who wants her carryons nearby and needs to sleep.

Below: Here's a pic of my very nice hotel room.

Below: The desk where I'm typing this blog entry...

Below: I wish you could get a better feel for the shiny whiteness that is the hotel bathroom. It's so nice, and the tub is nice and deep.

Below: Here you can see the pedestal sink and the robe and laundry basket. So fancy!

Below: Here is the (very safe) window with the decorative ironwork to keep out the boogers who could possibly climb all the way up here, only to be thwarted by this lovely ironwork.

Below: The view from the window, looking one way.

Below: The view from the window, looking the other way.

Below: We went to lunch with two people from the Tbilisi office who took us out for Georgian food. Delicious, wow! Below are some shiny steamed dumplings filled with spiced ground beef and broth. You hold the pinched end, shake black pepper on them, and bite in, trying not to drip the broth.

Below: Here's the bread, which I thought was very similar to Kyrgyz bread. It was wonderful and fresh.

Below: This pic shows a salad of cucumbers and tomatoes with a walnut dressing, sauteed mushrooms with onion and garlic, and what looks like a meat patty in this pic but is a little patty of...something vegetarian, green grass-looking herbs. Looks questionable but tastes good!

Below: This green soda is tarragon flavored. It was a little sweet but green and fresh tasting.

Below: Here we are: Thamindri, Jen, and me. Vano is taking the picture, so he's not in it.