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Before exiting my hotel room, I
photograph the grillwork of my balcony. |
Departing Tblisi, we drive by this undulating ribbon building: the Ministry of Internal Affairs and HQ of State Police | A couple fisherman in the River Mtkvari. | A picturesque bridge and old walled fortress. | Our good-bye to iconic Tblisi. | A firehouse in all its glory. |
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Panorama of greater Tiblisi with Soviet era apartment buildings. |
A pomegranate tree. |
As we approach the border with Turkey, we spot an air force base with reinforced and camouflaged hangers. |
Another view of the base: some storage bunkers. Georgia is receiving military assistance of US and other NATO equipment as the Soviet weaponry is junked or and sold. |
A folk tradition. The bridal veil with red ribbon or ornament indicates that a daughter is available! |
A family of 7 daughters, four of whom remain unwed. |
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| All the houses in the area have gardens with grapes. | Into Armenia. | Armenia is a mountainous nation. | Haghpat Monastery was founded by Queen Khosrovanuysh, wife of King AshotIII, around 976 BCE.. |
One of the halls; note carved crosses on the masonry, besides the cross design of the two windows. |
Small chapel. |
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| Looking upward. | View through the arches. | Along a darken corridor. | This is known as a "cross-stone" and we will see many. It is an ancient art form of Armenia. | A group of cross-stones. | A side view of the cathedral. |
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| Bell tower. | The light from above. | Rustic gate. | Door to cathedral. | Inside, Jesus looks down. | Stairs to the choir. |
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| Painting of the baptism of Jesus. Note water spirals cover his body. | Time for lunch and we are welcomed with a band and bread loaf. | Clarinet, accordion, and dhol drum. | Into the restaurant. | Cheese, lavash flat bread, eggplant, tomatoes & cucumbers plus wine. | Wine. |
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| The feast. | ...and the band played on. | The view from our perch | Industrial, copper town, nearly abandoned. | Rust belt. | A religious scene in fading light. |
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