Merry Christmas!

Taken during the one year anniversary of the Russian-Georgian War in Gori, which saw heavy bombardment during the war. The Georgian government made a propaganda spectacle of the whole thing, including a "Museum of Russian Agression" on Rustaveli Ave. in Tbilisi and busing people out to Gori for a rally that included an appearance by President Misha. I managed to get a ride with a German journalist to Gori, but a poor sound system, badly chosen location, and horrible weather kept me from capturing much of the event. Still, I managed to make it out with one good image of a boy on his father's shoulders holding a Georgian flag. I even managed to catch the drops of rain in the light, but everytime I look at this picture I just think about standing on my toes, with water running down the inside of my jacket, trying to get the kids head infront of the spotlight.

Sioni, a couple hours outside Tbilisi. It's a popular summer retreat for Georgian families and college students. It's a Soviet built resevoir, and the catwalk here leads to a control valve for the water level. It was a bit weird to see people laying out on concrete to get a tan. I don't know if it will show in the print, but the women in the photo is wearing the most absurd striped bathing suit, perhaps soviet built as well. So, of course I had to make this one B&W.

Partial view from Dan's balcony, taken on my first week in Georgia. This is the Narikala Fortress that overlooks the city. It's been used by every invader of Tbilisi for centuries. In the early twentieth century the Russians had an ammo dump here and a fire blewup nearly half the hillside. The Georgians, being as they are, promptly reconstructed a church within the walls of the fortress.

Sunset view of Tbilisi taken from the balcony of a well-to-do expat. Don't know why I let myself get dragged to that lame party, but I got a pic at least. Two perfect examples of Georgian capitalism, the Wissol Petroleum building blocking the sun and a high-rise construction crane slicing the clouds.

Typical Georgian fencing. Taken near Gudauri during a day trip with Dan. You can see the road switchbacking up the side of the mountain, of course it's not so nice when you're shooting down it in a marshrutka.

One of my favorite images from Georgia so far. From the same Gudauri trip, which I mentioned in my blog during the summer. The man is fanning the flames under a stewpot containing the better part of a freshly slaughtered sheep. All part of a typical mountaintop festival involving more than enough food, booze, and religion. The mountains in the background are in South Ossetia.

An our way to yet another mountaintop festival, this time in Kazbegi. See the buildings in the valley, that's where we started. And see where the cloud cuts across the mountains...that's where we're going.

Another favorite of mine, this time from Svaneti. This is mount Ushba, which actually has twin peaks, but I never got to see the other during my visit. I only had two days of sun over my week in Svaneti. This was taken on the road back to civilization, at six in the morning! Thanfully the driver was kind enough to stop here for a photo. Unfortunetly, we still had six more hours of driving back down the mountains.

Lora,

I hope you enjoy the photos. Keep in mind that these are the first prints I have made from Georgia, so I haven't even gotten to see my pictures in that much detail. You're my biggest photo fan though, so you deserve it. Know that I love you and I miss you, and I'm here to do you proud.

Love, Jim