Mnogo cziasa, malo dziengla :)

So finally we have a time to write smth more about our trip to Tushetii and others.

From Tbilisi we took the marshrutka (some kind of minibus - usually in very bad technical condition and almost always with broken front window:P) to the place located around 80 km from our destination - Omalo. As soon as we have left the minibus we got surrounded by the jeep drivers who offered us super price for driving with them to Omalo - only 50 lari per person (1 lari is about 0,42 EUR).Of course we rejected their offers and went to local information center about tusheti region to get some materials about that area. Again we heard that it is impossible to hitch-hike to Omalo and the only way is to take the jeep-taxi. But we are very stubborn people and we get out of the village to hitchhike. The first passing car stopped and took us to the next village - Pshaveli, where road to Omalo starts. Then one more short distance lift and we were on the road which leads only to the Tushetii Protected Area. We started to wait... and wait.... there was a car approx. every 15 minutes. After one hour one of the vechicles stopped for us:) In nice all terrain car we started our 4 hours long journey to the edge of the civilisation. The road is dusty/rocky and very exposed - the giant falls on one side and huge mountains on the other... The highest point of that road is located at 3000 m above the sea level... After coming to Omalo we had to find a room, because Marysia didnt feel good. We found one - without electricity and water... with the toilet outside:P.. But that was all we could afford. The host was very nice. She prepared herbal tea for Marysia and took care of her. When Marysia was recovering I took a small walk during which I was bitten by a sheepyard dog;/ When Marysia was healthy again we went to Dartlo village.. In this settelment old defence towers can be found. We were really astonished by the surroundings of the village, and the Dartlo itself. During our walk we met 3 very nice French guys, who can speak english very well!;) (Hello There! How is Your trip?) We spent the evening together eating delicious georgian meal and playing cards.. Next day we had to go back to Omalo. On our way we were taken to the jeep by the group of Georgian Bankers. They shared with us their 33 year old georgian cognac:) Together we have visited also Omalo Castle and Diklo village (near the russian border). We were a bit unlucky because it was raining all the time and we didnt managed to get to the top of the surrounding mountains - but we are sure we will come back:) On our way back from Omalo again we were very lucky - we got a lift just after 20 min:) It was Lada Niva where we spent our next 4 hours. During our ride through the mountais we had to stop on the pass because an unexpected party started:] It looked very simple - 12 Georgians, 6,5 liters of home made wine, sheep cheese, bread, meat and a lot of toasts (see the pictures). The same day we got to Tbilisi where again we found a shelter in Antek's flat (thanks again!). Yesterday, after 1,5 hour ride from Tbilisi we got to Armenian border. After buying a visa etc we started to hitchhike. After few minutes Lada Samara stopped and took us to one of the cities. To be precise we stopped on the outskirts to eat and drink some local specials. We tried armenian kebab and armanian wine and vodka:) it was veeery good and big meal and when we wanted to pay we were not allowed to.. We were also offered to stay in one of our hosts houses but we decided to go further. We came to the first car waiting on the parking and the driver said that he would take us to the place we wanted. Then we were forced to eat and drink some more (water melon, coffe, yoghurt, beer, cola, cheese...) and after that we started to go. When we reached to the Sevan we were invited by the colonel of Armenian Army for another supper with drinks (again biiiiig meal)... and at the end our driver told us to sleep in his house. We had no better choice so we agreed. Today His children have shown us very nice monastery. Than we went to Sevan Monastery and finally we finished in Yerevan in quite expensive but cosy hostel. Tommmorow we plan to see the city and get out of there:) Oh! by the way we have new motto for our trip: Mnogo cziasa, malo dziengla (a lot of time and lack of money):D

So we experienced the armenian hospitality and so far the hitchhiking works perfectly:) See You!