Georgia საქართველო (the rest)

This photo might seem not to show much, except the excessive green colour. A fantastic green colour of the Greater Caucasus mountains. It has been taken randomly somewhere in South Ossetia. Randomly, as our journey from Vladikavkaz to Georgia led through the chaotic area (de facto fragile independent from the government in Tbilisi) following the First South Ossetia War. As suggested, our intention was to travel to Georgia on land, and improvising took us to an unforseen path, sitting in the marshrutka (routed taxicab) with locals, heading to Cxinvali and very quickly hop on another bus to Tbilisi...

South Ossetia is a very mountainous region located in the Caucasus at the juncture of Asia and Europe. It occupies the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus mountain range and its foothills which are part of the Iberia Plain, a geographic plateau that is roughly in the center of South Ossetia. The Likhi Range shapes the western geographic boundary of South Ossetia, although the northwestern corner of South Ossetia is located west of the range. Before the Georgian–Ossetian conflict, roughly two-thirds of the population of South Ossetia was Ossetian and 25–30% was Georgian. The dispute surrounding the presence of the Ossetian people in the South Caucasus has been one of the causes of conflict. In the late 1980s, a separatist movement emerged in South Ossetia that sought secession from Georgia and unification with North Ossetia–Alania. In 1989, Soviet troops were sent to maintain peace. Shortly after Georgia gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, heavy fighting broke out between Ossetian and Georgian forces, forcing thousands to flee South Ossetia. In 2008, South Ossetia saw a brief war between Russia and Georgia. Moscow subsequently recognized South Ossetia as an independent state, and began a process of closer ties that Georgia views as effective annexation. Russia should recognise also North Ossetia as an independent state, too - the logic says.

Traveling on a budget in Georgia in 1999 had been an adventure! With a little planning and a sense of adventure, it was still possible to explore this beautiful country without breaking the bank. Transportation from Slovakia to Georgia took 4 days spending up to 70 USD, using trains and 'marschrutka' minibuses like in this case.

Looks like a commercial for a fizzy drink somewhere from Midwest nowhere states of Amurika

It might be hard to remember, but in some parts of the world, smoking bans are a relatively recent development compared to Western countries. Around the turn of the millennium, smoking was still seen as a form of personal freedom in these places. While it's important to acknowledge the broader implications for public health, I want to share a glimpse of what some might call the 'good old days' from my time at university. We found joy in the simplest things, like smoking inexpensive Soviet-era cigarettes, a welcome distraction from the endless, exhausting journeys on buses and trains. The photo accompanying this story features me, and credit for the shot goes to my friend RoKo.

First I wanted to delete this blurred, badly scanned photo ... but using the available modern SW it can be enhanced to the point that it can show glimpse of the mystery from a Georgian Orthodox Church in the late 1990s

The straw hat I purchased shortly after arriving in Georgia was a traditional folk hat often worn by farmers and those in low-paid jobs. While it may have seemed unusual for a foreigner to wear it, I found it to be incredibly useful in shielding me from the summer heat and direct sunlight. Unfortunately, I left it on the train at the last stop in Uzhgorod. I hope the person who found it had enjoyed it as much as I did.

Credits: Roko