Sunset over the Black Sea, after a day of climbing amongst the Ancient Caucasian trees and limestone formations. Took this photo from the dining room!
A very guided tour, other than a $300 visa....straight to a strip mall. Quite an experience...only wanted to deal with local currency even though we all were told euros were fine. The people very wary with only a couple of smiles...children and some teens. The river runs from the Caucasus to the Black Sea. Along this area is a strolling park with fountains and a small playland.
Ancient Caucaian Trees 1.8 million years ago, this reserve, about 300 metres, was under the ocean. Along the walkway was a maze of sedimentary layering about 5 metres high, turning at right angles through the ancient forest. Excretions from sea life in the layering. Amazing to walk amongst this. Wonderful photos for my collection of 'pathways and portals' The trees are mainly boxwood and yew which is part of the Caucasian Biosphere Reserve.
It began to thunder, lightning and gently rain. Quite a magical experience and I mainly walked alone as the group hurried ahead of me. I loved the forest smells and also being alone. Very, very slippery on the limestone underfoot...had to hang on to railings and roots, etc. Actually quite the endurance test for me, with my bad cough, sinus infection. From this it turned into bronchitis and pleursy. Am taking medication and getting more rest and sleep. Hah...the trouble with group tours is that you cannot go your own pace. No indication either that this was to be such a climb but I am very, very happy that I saw this and got such amazing photos!
I had a wonderful time with these girls in the Eastern Orthodox Church. They were very pleasant towards me. The girl above, Mika, studying English and speaking it quite well shared a bit about her life in this community. 
Perhaps a bit blurry but I took these quick shots. This photo of a little boy is a priceless shot. Just on his way home from school he comes to church to light a candle and kiss an icon. Dov was very impressed with the piety of the people. Crossing themselves with intention at the door and kissing the side of the door which had the varnish worn off. One young man biking past the church made the sign of the cross three times and continued. 
One of the women sitting outside the Eastern Orthodox Church selling a few things like flowers to people going inside.
All the sidewalks are like this...or worse. 
Tobacco is a big thing here. So also is gambling...many small gambling shops. This woman is selling very ornate sausages. I thought they were candles. It made a lot of people laugh. 
I really enjoyed interacting with the street vendors. The best way to do so is to buy some simple thing from them. This stooped old woman sold us black sunset seeds. When we gave her 1 euro ($1.50) she kept pouring scoops of them into a paper cone bag until we told her to stop. She was ecstatic with the money we gave her! Her face was lit up like the sun with appreciation. How little did she know that she gave me the gift of connection. She blew kisses as we walked away, hand on her heart! Memories...like that will last forever in my own heart and are the priceless gifts I bring home. 
A typical scene...sitting...in a world of their own.
A woman selling a few things on a box, and she gave me these flowers; would not take any money....what can you say?
A little boy walking to his home. A pathway into a very different life than ours. 
This woman spoke German to us which Dov knows something of. She had quite an out-going personality. Selling a few things on a box.
