I landed in Tbilisi on Independence Day (my first trip to see the country and suss it out before deciding to move), when the country was on a rather stand still and strike. I instantly felt like I had the ‘dumb tourist’ sticker on my forehead. The taxi drivers wanted to drop me off at my location for no less than 60GEL. I had done my research prior and refused them all, and decided to brave the Metro. It cost me only 50tetri to get to the tunnel (saving a lot of cash).
I found the bus stop at the airport with ease.
There was a strike, and we had a newer bus pick us up, not pictured.
I did not understand anything the bus driver said, or had any assistance. A lady from America was relying on me to know how to navigate a country that spoke Georgian, with its own special alphabet (someone was on some serious hallucinogens to have such faith in me).
We got to a dodgy looking house on the side of the road, with about 20 men sitting outside drinking, and the driver got out, took my suitcase and pointed…We got out, and the men pointed to the back.
Now I have martial arts training, all that kyokushin was ready to burst, dare this turn out to be a brothel or trafficking ring.
I set my live location on and sent messages to a friend (in Switzerland) to make sure I respond in 5 minutes or get enforcement involved. I can be very paranoid and dramatic…
We walked to the back as they said, while American lady was grabbing onto me like I was the last of my kind… In less than a minute there were crowds, I have never seen so many people at the same place outside of a stadium in my life. Turns out it was Independence Day and the whole of Tbilisi was headed to the metro or out…
The fun started…
iamrandomsam 