I had researched a bit before I left for Georgia. The research can't tell you everything. It didn't give me the tastes and smells of the city and it didn't completely prepare me for the initial culture shock. Honestly, I felt I had a Vegas-lit sign on my head that I wasn't aware of. But, I did eventually get over the starring, but not the language. I think I should mention I didn't go by myself, it was my best friend's birthday and I met her there. She speaks Russian, and has lived in Georgia for 6 months and boy did we have a ball. 
Not only did we enjoy the traditional touristy locations including Narikala, an old fortress, Uplistsikhe the oldest cave city (which means "the lord's fortress"), Kartlis Deda (Mother Georgia Statue which she stands high in Tbilisi holding a bowl of wine and a sword). We also visited many monasteries and churches like Alaverdi Monastery in the Kakheti region of Eastern Georgia and one of the oldest surviving monasteries, Jvari Monastery near Mtskheta. On our way to Uplistsikhe we visited Gori, the birth place of Joseph Stalin and went to the Joseph Stalin Museum. That was neat to see a different point of view of a political leader in another country. It really brought History alive for me.
Our leisurely time was spent in Batumi, which borders the Black Sea and the Turkey border. We had a drive by pick-up by two boys, which I still have to pinch myself sometimes to believe that it really happened. We spent an entire day with them exploring Batumi. We visited a top of a mountain where we could see all of Batumi. You could see the 'old' and the 'new' parts of the city. They also took use to two waterfalls, the Turkey border, the newly built Dolphinarium, a Zoo, Gonio castle where remains were from before the 2nd Century A.D., a botanical garden and feast of the most delectable traditional Georgian treats. I was witness to the hospitable and kind nature of the Georgian culture. Funny enough, I got the opportunity to meet back up with one of them, his sister and his friend in Washington, D.C. We visited the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial and even kayaked on the Potomac River in Georgetown. That experience was awesome and I was honored to have the opportunity to return the hospitality and kindness that I received while I was in Georgia. Not many people can say they met a stranger in one country and gained a friendship in another. I can. 
###
