Batumi, Georgia

I woke up at 09:00 today and slowly managed to bring myself to doing some actual work. First, I wrote some journal entries; next, I updated the website; then, I checked my emails and submitted some documents for a university application; finally, I submitted a reservation for a tour of Chernobyl (“the Zone”) for when I’ll be in Kiev. After completing all that work, I took a shower, dressed, grabbed my camera, and walked outside in to a cloudy, but rainless day (at 14:00). I then set out to explore Batumi – something I’ve been neglecting to do ever since I arrived here. I first walked eastward to the shore by the Chacha Tower; then, I walked north to the seafront promenade next to the Alphabetic Tower (a tall tower with a giant disco ball on top and all the letters of the Georgian alphabet displayed on curving strands that look like a double helix) and then to the Black Sea. I walked along the rocky shore (no sand here) enjoying the sounds of waves hitting the smoothed stones and then reeling back, dragging the smaller pebbles toward the sea and making a “wshweeeh” sound. Next, I returned to the promenade (designed to look like a genuine boardwalk (though made out of molded concrete) and known officially as “Batumi Boulevard”). I walked along Batumi Boulevard for some distance, passing by several fountains, sculptures (modern romantic pieces next to the beach), and colorful hotels. There was one giant hotel done up in an Imperial Russian style architecture next to the promenade, but it was derelict and in a state of degradation due to neglect . . . what a shame. I then continued along, passing by some beach volleyball courts (also falling apart due to neglect), Ardagani Lake, and several hotel/casinos being constructed and nearly completed (one was inspired by the Colosseum in Rome). Then, instead of walking the fifteen or so kilometers to the Turkish border, I turned around and started walking back. When I reached Shota Rustaveli State University (again), I turned in to the city and walked to the “6 May Park” where Nurigeli Lake is. I then walked to the Fountain of Neptune, which is an interesting fountain designed with a golden statue of Neptune standing on top of a center base and four mermaids at each corner of the base spraying water out of their nipples. Then, I walked to Europe Square, which is located next to the Astronomic Clock building; also, in Europe Square, there is a tall pillar with a statue of Medea holding the Golden Fleece on top; in Greek Mythology, Medea was the daughter of King Aeëtes of Colchis; the actual Colchis Kingdom, which lasted from the thirteenth- to the second-century BC, was located on the eastern shore of the Black Sea in present-day Georgia, thus making the statue of Medea here in Batumi relevant. Next, I walked to Piazza Square, which has a tall clock tower (a regular one, not an astronomical one) that plays the Georgian National Anthem every three hours. Across the street from the square is the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, and northwest of the church is the hotel I was staying at. After seeing much of Batumi and pretty much all of the important buildings and monuments, I then set out on a gathering mission – I visited several markets and bought some Georgian wine and water. Then, I returned to the hotel room, dropped the liquid goods off, and then walked to a very near restaurant that serves great Georgian cuisine (at 18:30). For dinner, I had four khinkali filled with meat, ostri (cuts of beef in a spicy tomato stew, Adjaruli khachapuri (made from dough formed into an open boat shape which is then filled with cheese and topped off with a raw egg and butter), and some Georgian beer; the food was excellent and proved to be a great final supper to end my time in Georgia. I then returned to the hotel room, updated the website with today’s photos and typed today’s journal entry (most of it anyway). I then opened the bottle of Georgian dry red wine I had purchased earlier; the wine was made from “Kaberne” grapes (obviously Cabernet Sauvignon) and tasted of black cherries, blackberries, and vegetal flavors. While enjoying my wine, I watched Fritz Lang’s ‘Man Hunt’ – courtesy of YouTube -, which was a very entertaining and well-done film. After the film, I listened to music from Wagner’s ‘Der Ring des Nibelungen’ and fell asleep.