News
News from the road
Folks, just to let you know: some recent photos “from the road” (that is Laos and Thailand) are being published on my facebook page. When I get back home will work on some more full featured posts. Best regards,
Blazej
Come, sit with me
If you ever hear, that strolling around Tbilisi streets with a mp3 player in your ears, just with your own thoughts is possible, don’t believe it. Sooner or later, and mostly sooner, somebody will invite you to sit with him and have a little chat, that in most cases will evolve to (lightweight scenario) beer drinking or (more common scenario) chacha tasting from where things start to get pretty unpredictable (in a positive way though).
Didube market in Tbilisi
My love to open air markets should be very well known by now. When, two weeks ago I revisited Georgia I’ve been looking around Tbilisi for the very same spot I found three years ago (still didn’t have time to upload those photos here, but you can find them at Flickr) – unsuccessfully though. It has been grounded few months back making place for a modern office sort of construction and all the sellers (including those friendly cheese sellers) where forced to spread around new places.
I’ve asked Irina, the owner of a guesthouse in Tbiliisi for some hints, and out of hand she pointed the market located at Didube metro station – just a few stops from her place. Awesome! I thought and at once hit the road.
Didube, like most markets in Georgia is crowded, chaotic, colorful and amazingly friendly.
With a strong flavor of a course socialistic look it offers all everyday products and if you step off the main road you can smell, touch and feel it’s amusing atmosphere.
No matter what you are looking for: fresh fruits or veggies, meat or the gorgeous salty Georgian cheese you can get it here for a decent local price.
But what’s even more important, everybody here is extremely friendly. One could think, a stranger with a huge camera won’t find much understanding in a place like this one – dominated by locals – run by locals and clearly directed to local customers. One couldn’t be more wrong. Virtually every seller reacts with a sincere smile back.
Even when I kept going deeper and deeper, and finally found meat selling stalls, which tend to be dark and gory (especially in some Asian countries I’ve been too), folks keept their open attitude and in a worst case scenario just ignored my presence
I must admit, Georgia is the first place I know of, where when asked where I am from, my answer opened Georgian folks even more. They (at least to an extent I faced) love Poles for a couple of recent political reasons and not only they encouraged me to make photos but insisted to make those photos with me.
Friendliness knows no boundaries in here. Hungry? Not anymore! I’ve got plenty of lavash, said this guy and refused my shy resistance.
If you ever visit Tbilisi, there is almost no way you can miss Didube. Most marshrutkas (popular buses) leave from here to other popular Georgian destinations.
But be aware - Don’t plan anything ahead if you hit one of those markets. They will suck you inside and won’t let out.
So, where you wanna go?
This is just a quicky teaser from Kazbegi in Georgia (just by the russian border). More photos will appear when i get back from Laos.
Cheers!
Mario #2
Meet Mario from VEBorange in Berlin. If you ever visit Prenzlauer Berg, take a quick turn from Kastanienalle to Oderberger Straße and make him a visit.
It’s really hard to find so many retro little thingies in just one place.
A trip to Tbilisi, Georgia
Folks – next month im going to visit Georgia (landing in Tbilisi) for a week or 10 days. Any hits on backpacking friendly hostels in the Capital and across the country? Thanks!
Mario
Meet Mario from VEBorange in Berlin. If you ever visit Prenzlauer Berg, take a quick turn from Kastanienalle to Oderberger Straße and make him a visit.
It’s really hard to find so many retro little thingies in just one place.
We drink for peace
I met this guy while walking across Tsinamdzgvrishvili street in Tbilisi (Georgia). With a friend he was running a one-man flea market. The place was incredibly small. They were talking about something in Georgian when i step in and asked in English if they mind one photo. Surprisingly the owner (his picture will be here soon) answered in English, there is one condition: i will drink a shot of vodka with them.
I mean… what the hell… of course i agreed! This one I drink for you gentlemen I said.
They stood up. Raised tea cups filled with vodka, and said: let’s drink for peace – it’s been a hard time for us recently.
Bangkok: Making a living #3
Here we go with #3 of the “Making a living” series from Bangkok.
Stay tuned – China “Making a living” is just by the corner 
A little issue solved
Just a quick note, to let you know, that a bug with Subscribe to Blog option has been solved. Now if you leave your mail in the box “Subscribe to Blog via Email” (see right column) you will get a confirmation mail and all further updates will instantly arrive to your mailbox.
Thanks for letting me know about this whimsical gremlin.
Best regards!
Bangkok: Making a living #2
Bangkok is no different than other places – open air markets are magic places. Usually placed far from tourists, can provide a true “real life” experience.
Bangkok: Making a living #1
Bangkok is no different than other places – open air markets are magic places. Usually placed far from tourists, can provide a true “real life” experience.
