Georgia by bike

GEORGIE... moments volés
GEORGIA BY BIKE.

Une courte vidéo qui résume notre périple à vélo en famille dans la campagne Géorgienne. Difficile de résumer nos nombreuses découvertes, rencontres et émotions. Voici seulement un aperçu avec quelques images de drone.

Les moins : les chiens agressifs, le dénivelé, la circulation sur les routes principales, la chaleur, les moustiques, la fatigue...

Les plus : Facile de faire du camping sauvage ou de planter notre tente dans le jardin des habitants (guest house en ville).
Les géorgiens sont généreux. En campagne, on nous court après pour nous offrir des fruits ou des glaces.
Nombreux petits magasins au bord de la route pour nous ravitailler.
L'eau est potable. Nombreuses fontaines en bordure de route...
Un climat de confiance. On peut laisser nos affaires sans surveillance.
Les géorgiens adorent les enfants (mais je crois que cet aspect est universel). Nos filles se font cajoler.

Away from Tbilissi, we need some fresh air.

First the good news : after 6 days our backpack reappaered. Azmina was so happy that she danced around her bag and kissed her clothes ! When you go on a adventure, known things can give you comfort. Travelling is demanding, for the kids and the parents. Moving towards the unknown, not knowing where we sleep at night, makes us more vulnerable. How do we overcome the insecurity and the tiredness ? We move close together in the tent, we tell eachother stories that are inspired by beautiful landscapes, we observe the people and animals, share our feelings. Our hearts are always warmed up when we meet local people and pass some time with them. In Georgia, that happens quite often. They are proud of their hospitality and they live it : in Gori, the birthtown of Stalin, we got invited by a family of artists : two sisters and their kids opened us the door to their flat. They gave us the biggest room, cooked us delicious georgian specialities and gave us an insight into the life of women in Gori and Georgia. Not many dare to speak out about social injustices, women's rights and peace in Georgia, especially not in a town like Gori that seems to glorify « their son » Stalin in the Stalin museum instead of encouraging a critical view of the history. The young artist that we met, is fed up with that and tagging a message on a house on « Stalin-avenue » : « « 20% of Georgia is still occupied by the Russsians ». She dreams about a different Georgia and hopes to form a group of activists. Moved by the hospitality and courage of this family, we move on and cycle to Borjomi, in the mountains : the landscape is beautiful, the contrasts of the different living standards in the city and the countryside are quite shocking. We reload our batteries and breathe the fresh air of the mountains in expectation of the Iranian Visa that we are hoping to get in the next few days.