New Year In Georgia, Caucasus

This Christmas and New Year holidays I will spend in Georgia, 

Tbilisi.

There is an amusing legend about Georgia. When God was giving lands for people on Earth,

…the Georgians were busy drinking wine

and celebrating Creation of the world…

They came to God when everything had been given to other civilizations. And then they said: “Sorry, God, we are late, as we were drinking fantastic wine in your honor. God was pleased with the answer

…and gave them a beautiful land with mountains and sea,

…the land he was planning to have for Himself…

This legend reflects unforgettable truth about Georgia:

Its fertile lowlands and valleys are very good for growing fruit and grapes.

Georgia produces delicate wines.

But the main treasure in Georgia is people:

…hearted, generous, charming, friendly…

…handsome…

…passionate and romantic…

…with an excellent sense of humor…

I adore Georgian national food. It is something very special and tasty!

Georgia is the land of early Christianity.

Most of their chapels and cathedrals were built in Byzantium style with national traits.

I am not religious. But my acquaintance with Georgian church and Christian rituals began with a very sad event.

Years ago, my husband, a surgeon and climber died in a terrible accident under snow-slips on peak Pobeda, Tang-Shang.

Mount Pobeda, 7349 m, situated between China and Kirghizia

In alpinism, there is a tradition: to fix memorial plates on rocks for those climbers, whose bodies had never been found under tons of snow.

I am very grateful for climbers from different countries on Pobeda area, who had helped me to organize the memorial ceremony. It was so human…

Amazingly, but after that ceremony I saved life to one of the climbers – a Georgian helicopter pilot. When climbers descend fast from 7000-6000 m to 4000, there appears big problem with lungs. Luckily, under the circumstances at the height of 4200 m, the reanimation was a success. After this incident, Georgian team invited me to their beautiful country and we ordered special memorial service in one of ancient chapels…

So from time to time, I visit Georgia

and go to their main Cathedral – Mzheta – and pray 

with my own words for those who chose risky professions.

Georgia has their own skiing resorts.

If we are lucky with snow, we shall ski…

Where are you going to celebrate coming Christmas and New Year?

Will you be with those who love you?

Natalia Levis-Fox