Monomad: No dogs allowed in the library!

The other day I watched as a stray dog casually strolled its way into a library. A lone woman sat to the side found it incredibly amusing. A man who I assume worked there took a kinder approach to trying to remove the stubborn dog, to which it just sat still and kept refusing to be moved. The person trying to handle the dog didn't seem angered by it, but also humoured by its approach to casually just enter. It was a pretty cute dog that didn't seem capable of causing any harm, and about 15 minutes prior to this event, it sat by us and tried to patiently wait for a donation of our ice cream. It was a pretty cute stray, one that didn't seem to have the general aggression that the others do. The man finally managed to get the dog out, while we also tried to help. At the same time I couldn't help but pull out the camera and take a few photographs of this attempt out of sheer amusement over the whole event. This was only towards the later part of trying to get the dog out, as it came back from really running around inside, to which it settled a bit more near the entrance. Something tells me that this dog didn't have its library pass.

In general the stray dogs around here seem a bit more friendly lately. It's as if their mentality changed with the changing weather, as the heat disappeared and things cooled off a bit more, they seem calmer and generally more likely to come up to you and ask for petting. It's a nice change and I've had more nicer interactions with the strays these past few days than I have in the two months I've been here in Tbilisi. It actually makes going outside a lot more fun when you can interact with them, as they follow you around and show more excitement. Some will follow you down the road as if you're simply walking your own dog. A concern regarding the library was that maybe they'd even think it was our dog that decided to misbehave a little.

With the turn of the weather, I've also felt a bit more better. The city is still far too chaotic with far too many horns and unfriendly Georgians, but walking around with some cooler air and wrapping up a bit warmer feels so much more refreshing. And I'm enjoying the brief parts of the rain. The other day part of my road began to flood, mineral water from the caves below the city had built up, the road began to swell, and cracks have been forming all over. It took the city 24 hours to attempt to deal with the flowing mineral water coming up into the road, and other areas look ready to burst too. I've never seen anything like that before, but it has been another addition of how the city here changes as the seasons do. It makes me curious and also very excited as to what life will be like during colder months. Quite excited to spend more time in the library working, and going to the odd cafe and event. One thing I've started to realise is the social side of things; the Georgians are quite similar to Armenians in that they don't really operate in any strong cultural and social manner, they don't hold many engaging events or try to do so.

Instead, a lot of that side of things comes from the Russians that are here. A clear difference in culture and mentality in such areas. And I'm realising I'm best learning more Russian and engaging with that demographic more than the Georgians. Try to speak to a Georgian and you'll get ignored or a rude look. As if they are miserable and want everyone else around them to also feel that misery. Russians? Seems like they want to have community and feel some more aspects of life. It has been a bit of a surprise, and a weird lesson to learn as I've looking around the city and felt a generally more unwelcoming feeling.

It's a weird atmosphere to be around given the Georgians are really promoting this idea of being European. Endless European Union flags are found throughout the city, either real flags hanging around or graffiti sprayed into their dated walls and ruining their own culture and history. It's certainly strange to me because this place doesn't feel remotely European. Neither in appearance nor in culture. The mentality is completely off in comparison. So it's strange to be in this place, to see how things are operating and see the odd atmosphere that lingers throughout it. The only similarity I'd consider is the mass development that's taking place in the city. The constant changes and the more modern architecture that's being thrown up into the sky as apartments are being built all over the place. There's a changing look to things as it loses the Soviet identity, as it loses the original Georgian identity before that. As there is no identity beyond mass consumption as endless advertising hangs above and all over. It feels less like a country that has something unique to it, unlike Armenia. Which felt like it had been stuck in time to much degree, still managing to hold its identity despite a lot of growth taking place there.

Seeing culture is quite an important thing for me. Seeing community is also. And here it just generally doesn't feel like there is much community. Everyone seems ready to get angry at everyone. The pride of Georgian culture seems to be almost extinct within Tbilisi, and on the way to Borjomi and in that small resort town things certainly felt more different. That usual discovery of how different things are in the capital and biggest cities compared to the real life outside of them. I much preferred the peace and the sights of rural Georgia. On the train and travelling through smaller towns and villages.

I already know what's coming at this point. I know that my next destination resides above Georgia: Russia. Though it's a little harder to get into compared to Armenia or Georgia. I'll need a visa and that'll take some time. I'm also very curious about other former republics. Kazakhstan definitely has my interest with its vast natural landscapes and history. And the surrounding nations which are generally more unheard of are definitely on my list of places to travel to. Some of which are easier to get into than others due to simpler entry requirements. No visa required for 30 days and similar ideas. That definitely sounds like some great fun to me. Georgia? I'm not sure. The atmosphere is bleak. It's a lost nation in terms of its culture and its mentality. It's heavily reliant on its tourism in Old Tbilisi, and its natural landscapes are definitely incredible. But the people seem lost. A similar feeling to no dogs allowed in the library.

And congratulations on your third place in the Monomad

Thanks!

How are you doing with Russian?

Putting more effort into it lately. I can read it decently, there are many words I don't understand and my pronunciation isn't perfect. It's definitely the speaking side I need more practice with. So I can read and understand certain sentences and words, but it can feel a bit limited; or sometimes I don't know how to structure a sentence despite knowing the words.

It really is just needing more exposure to it. Having the ability to use what I know and get corrected when I make mistakes. I find it a lot of fun though. And it's really fun being able to see the old Russian text around Tbilisi and read some of it.

gyms

I wanted to go swimming and to the gym when I arrived here, but every place is *insanely expensive. They operate in strange ways too: very high cost but you can only go a few times a week at specific slots. So I guess these mental gyms will have to suffice for now ;^)