Azerbaycan pics

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Georgian Blonds
Blond nymphs dancing in the field
Looking like sheep in the distance
Silk spun waves of fluffy threads brush out with the breeze
All sway to the rhythm of the trees
Sparse giants among the the tumbling green
Speckled with the rainbow colours of wild flowers
Silk lacing through the panorama of hillsides
Lifting to a sea of blue

June 21.
In the town of Talevi Georgia. Within the land of plenty. Surrounded by vineyards, fruit trees, vegetable gardens, fields of cows grazing, backyards of chickens and watchful roosters. Dogs barking in the night, quiet by day. Two days ago we camped in the common fields of a small village. Disconnected from the larger town, villagers greeted us as we walked their dirt streets - cows meandering close by, chickens pecking beside the road side, a mother pig and her piglettes not too far up the street. A Georgian man saw us and invited us into his yard, openning his metal gate to let us in. Two other men sat chatting in the back of a truck - an early morning behavior I suspect. Our Georgian man offered us chairs and cherries freshly picked. He was obviously proud as he pointed out his fruit trees, some old, some newly planted. He asked if we spoke french in his broken English. Hazel answered in her broken AZussie accented attempts. Probably better than mine. We spend a while there then got back on the road to meet our truck again, enroute to our next destination.
 
Our first homestead was the home a pleasant Georgian woman in grandmotherly dress, dark hair an smock. Rooms were bright and airy though a hog-pog of shapes and sizes. Gertie and I shared a room off a balcony with twin beds - colours of blues and whites. A great place but then the evening brought in the street noises and late party voices, dogs barking - a restless night for those trying to sleep.
Leaving today for another bush camp...Rained through the night. Great walk through a national park trail, skinny dipping in the rapids.
June 22-23 And now in Azerbaycan. Bright and sunny, city where I only see men gathering.. a bit more expensive. Back to Moslem church prayers in the early morning - distributed by loud speakers in the streets. Will try to get more pictures up in a couple of days.

I just heard about the Calgary floods...



Somewhere driving through the desserts of Georgia

Somewhere driving to Zaza's monestary ...



Some where driving to Zaza's Monestary

Armenian Dancers 4 days ago

All is wonderful as were these dancers before we left Yeravan.  Back in Georgia enjoying Georgian vineland :)

Still needing attention

So onward. Traveling gives time for scatterings of thought in an unorganized way. All new experiences with unfamiliar boundaries. Old boundaries left behind. Traveling on my own mostly except for those I've only met - and except for a friendship made 30 years ago entangled in a strange period of my life - sets me off into uncertainty. Writing now is part of the grounding and rebalancing I need as we head off again tomorrow for another border crossing. But not too much or I might miss the way traveling can open those things up that still need attention.

Yerevan - old and new

We've been in Yerevan for the last couple of days.  Very hot - in the 30s though I am told we can look forward to even higher temperatures as we move East over the next 2 months (50s require no movement, just sips of water and cool cloths on your neck, I'm told).

There is so much here in architecture that reminds me of the starkness of a spartant rule under communism.  Not sure if that's a prejudgous of the movies I've watched or a true reality of the times, however - clean stern lines, uniformity, absence of decore except in sculptures - more modern and expressionistic. I did not take pictures of the Genecide Museum - art and pictures depicting an entire nation in horror.

Busy markets.  Food and transportation is extremely cheap, however the tourist markets are expectedly marked up.  Sometimes a bargain - new - used top vest for 2.50 USD.  We'll be attended a live dance performance tonight.  Will see if I can take some pictures to share. Most of the group have gone to town already.  Will be off by mid afternoon myself.

Onto Armenia

Anticipation

I've seen so much so far.  Into our 3rd week and 9 or more to go .  Currently in a hotel in Tablisi, Georgia - population 1 1/4 million.  Its with very much a French/Europeon influence in the architecture of the buildings.  Busy, bustling streets, theatres,  mass crowds and parks, an old city set back that reminds me of old Quebec City but older.  Modern dress, trim and summery clothes - its hot - our midsummer.  Rained the day before yesterday as we found our way to a local restaurant, sampling the food, and drink a very cheap, respectable beer - about a dollar for pint of draft.  All day yesterday we were wondering through the old town - always a hill to climb to get to the most prestigous buildings.  Sulfur bath houses are set against the base of the hill.  I do think I ready though for some mountains again. Coming soon.

Finally able to load picture

We're getting closer to leaving Europe's hold I think.  We'll be in Armenia soon, and then in a couple of days will cross the Caspian Sea.

Middle Earth