RU  UK  EN
Статьи  >  Write  >  We were there: Gudauri

We were there: Gudauri

Автор: 11.01.2022 | Georgia, we were there
In Gudauri it is easy to feel time, pinch it between your fingers and stretch it in space, tuning up your inner rhythm to a sensation mode. There are no deadlines, annoying neighbours and reckless guys driving out to oncoming traffic lane. All this hustle and bustle seem illusory and momentary. Here, in Gudauri values are different. The mountains do not tolerate fuss, inner dialogue and self-criticism. The greatest pleasure is just to contemplate at them.

Today, Gudauri is a fashionable ski resort with a network of modern hotels, small restaurants, taxi services, guides with international permits, bank branches, spas, pharmacies, and other infrastructure. In addition, it is close enough to the capital of Georgia - Tbilisi. The season in Gudauri is open from December to May. Most of the slopes is for amateurs. Professionals can also satiate their adrenaline yearnings. Gudauri nestled over the precipice stretching for more than one kilometre. If you come up to the edge of the run-in area, you can look into the hell, so joke local residents. The upper chairlifts are at an altitude of more than three thousand kilometres and, by the way, can be reached by helicopters.

However, Gudauri became a snow resort quite recently, when investors from Austria saw relatively safe area rich in potential ski slopes. Today, the government pays special attention to the development of the ski resort. Every year they add new cableways, improve water supply system and expands power transmission lines. However, mainly the climate attracts tourists here. After all, most of the days in Gudauri are sunny. The temperature, even in the most severe winter, rarely falls below ten degrees.gudauri.jpgPhoto tripsgeorgia.ge

Many poets and writers from the time of imperial-era admired the beauty of local landscapes. They are famous by dramatic peaks of proud and legendary Kazbek, the military-Georgian road along which many soldiers are buried, who did not overcome the high mountain pass, well-known mineral springs flow here red due to high copper content, and large birds of prey fly high vigilantly looking for small rodents or even lambs that have strayed from the herd.

Cows feel confident and regal on the mountain roads of Gudauri. Slowly they cross the road in front of cars and tourist buses without even turning to beeps. To some extent, they perform the role of speed control bumps and do not allow to accelerate the traffic flow to dangerous speed. Shepherds often drive their herds near Gudauri. There is clean air and more juicy grass, they say. It is almost impossible to take your eyes from the local cows. Shaggy and even curly, short cows from far away look more like bears, and in close up they amaze with their headdresses. Here, almost every animal has ribbons on its horns. Although this decoration has quite a practical side - so the villagers recognize their cows, in general such a bright splendour causes surprise and delight. You can even stroke and pat thick wool of those kind, lazy artiodactyls. The main thing is not to get confused and not to embrace a bull, which is only slightly larger than its female friends.

Long, twisting descents and uplifts of this area only at first sight seem to be deserted, stone boulders and elevations just look like accidental conglomeration. Revelation can be found in a dilapidated church. A bit farther from the main road that leads to the famous modern resort, there anchored a stone temple of the seventeenth century, the size of a small room. Its rusty little fence and a neglected graveyard only seem to be lost in the centuries. From time to time, local people come here to sacrifice lambs on the threshold of a once functioning temple. The Gudaurians say that their ancestors did the same before introduction of Christianity and so they preserved this tradition due before the big holidays, in order to appease the gods.539349_108625609322540_424862766_n.jpgPhoto saga.ua

To get a little closer to the gods, and hear their whispers, one can on the observation deck, at height of almost two and a half thousand meters above sea level. Here, on the Cross pass, the sculptor Tsereteli, inspired by the legends of Georgia, erected the Arch of Friendship. It is almost impossible to miss it. A bright mosaic panel and a provocative location over the abyss, is a magnet for everyone. Stepping on one of its balconies, you can see how the Aragvi River flows calmly two thousand meters under your toes, and the turquoise lake gleams in the gorge. Daredevils move on. Walking around the Arch, you can see a narrow path that leads to the precipice. Here everything depends on your courage. Guides advise not to approach the edge in bad weather, as it is very easy to fall down here.

Along the narrow stony roads that lie around the Gudauri surroundings, there are numerous small stalls with endless souvenirs. Older Georgians, who, it seems, are more than a hundred years old, knit socks, stockings, mittens. They also sell papakhas (traditional hat) of lamb's wool. Children are pleased with the local sweet - churchela (hazelnuts in grape juice). Adults are treated with khinkali. The main khinkali destination is Pasanauri - a small town, located a little further Gudauri. The peculiarity of the local dish is that the dough is filled with finely chopped meat, not minced meat, as in the rest of the country. You can visit Pasanauri not only for food. There are many untouched mountains and gorges not trampled by tourists. In the town, there is a monument to two deer with an observation deck next to it. It is often crowded with onlookers, fascinated by watching how two rivers merge into one channel - Black and White Aragvi. Speaking about such an unusual phenomenon, the Georgians remember the old legend about two sisters who jumped from the rocks because of love. Experts say about different chemical composition of two streams. The surroundings are known for their mineral springs. You can drink special water here directly on the roadside, by attaching your mug to one of the many reddish streamlets. It has a lot of iron and it is not stored for a long time, in a while brown flakes fall on the bottom of your glass.1532681742086.jpg
Photo holidayme.com

Nevertheless, the most striking in Gudauri is its night. It comes gradually. The mountains get filled with the rumble of rivers. In black silence, it resembles a whisper of giants. Thousands of stars shine bright up in the sky, like a carpet woven from precious stones.

Cover photo adventure.ge

Вам это будет интересно:
If you have 10 dollars and you are in Nairobi
Today we are going on vacation in Kenya style! Let’s watch out for thieves, bargain at local markets, taste fantastic tea and get wrapped up into colourful African textiles. We will find out which places are not available for a modest budget, and without any worries, will cheer up admiring fantastic sunset on the coast of the Indian Ocean.
Belgium with the eyes of Marina Orlova: How the belgians live
Marina Orlova is a project manager in a cultural and public organization. Working on one of her international projects, she met her love - Wim, a guy from Belgium. She succeeded to visit his country only when Ukraine obtained visa-free regime and Marina shared with OUTLOOK her observations about how the Belgians live, what they eat for breakfast and how they relax.
We were there: Morocco - a wonderful country
Local open-air markets start working in the evenings. No house can avoid insects. Inhabitants almost learned how to be friends with snakes. On top of it, imagine, they do not dream of the sea! The Ukrainian SMM expert Anna Funt, who spent an unforgettable vacation there, shared with us her impressions about all the subtleties of the Kingdom of Morocco.
Peru. Places of power
Israel, India, Mecca - these geographic points are very important for the followers of various religions and not for them only: while on pilgrimage, one can experience the grace and feel the most powerful concentration of energy, even if being non-believer. In the territory of the South America, in Peru, there are also places of power about which writes our reader and author Iya Zaitseva.
Richard Gannon: The Faroe Islands - Sheep islands
Only three months a year air connection between the United Kingdom and Faroe Islands operates. I was excited about my future trip although I didn’t realize the whole nine yards of what was expecting me there, in the North. Sometimes I was picturing the Faroes as the land covered in ice. Next moment it seemed that strong wind persists in the islands which meant that I would be blown off some cliff into cold water.
We were there: New York, Washington and Miami
For certain reasons there are two capitals in America – official and actual. Context manager from Kyiv Bohdan Yanchev visited them both and told us about spirits of these cities, about their landmarks and about what they represent in reality. If you think that New York is imbued with expensive perfumes and there is nothing else to do in Washington but to lie on a lawn by the White House – you are wrong!
They need warmith. Where birds stay for winter
As a child I could spend hours gazing at the sky and spying majestic flocks of birds winging their way south. For a kid this movement was a real magic. Today my bookshelf hosts almost no books about magic, though I am still excited about feathered tribes travelling in hope to land on their winter grounds.
Country with “Almost Identical Flag"
Sweden probably isn’t one of the most popular touristic destinations among Ukrainians. Our fellow countrymen far more willingly go to warm states or to more popular European capitals with easier access. Our today’s company, vocalist of “MYACH” band from Kyiv, Yuriy Rozenko, on the contrary, makes sure he visits the kingdom several times a year.
We were there: Le Mans is the untouchable charm of old France
Anton Sak moved to France so as to get high education. He has been studying at Chemistry Faculty of Le Mans Université. Today he will tell us about Le Mans, the wonderful old French city with the special brightness. It is unknown for tourists; however, it is the interesting destination in the route of avid traveler.
Canyons: Deep and long
When, if not now to conquer summits, overcome seas and climb on the rocks? People often make great efforts to enjoy the comfort through the whole lifetime. But sometimes our soul needs some romance, so OUTLOOK presents seven unique canyons.
We were there: Cappadocia
Each person has a moment or event that is unforgettable for lifetime. My trip to Cappadocia and a hot air balloon flight is one of the most breath-taking experiences I have ever had. That is why I would like to share my impressions with you.
Normandy through the eyes of Korney Gritciuk. Part 2
OUTLOOK continues to share impressions of the French Normandy. In our previous article Kornei Gritsyuk shared about his trip to Deauville. Now it is turn for Cherbourg or Cherbourg-Octeville. Double name of the city appeared in the early 2 000 when Cherbourg merged with Octeville...
Normandy through the eyes of Korney Gritciuk. Part 1
For many tourists France is mainly Paris with long queues to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, as well as neighbouring sights with royal chic, or Mediterranean resorts. But OUTLOOK author while travelling through the country decided to go to the north, to Normandy! Our readers are welcome to read series of travel essays about a journey to the Atlantic Ocean by Kornei Gritsyuk...
We were there: Vienna
Vienna is a blood vessel of old Europe known for being aristocratic, sophisticated, filled with museums. Photographer Yulia Kochetova says what visiting this city it is mandatory to attend the Opera, pay homage to royal palaces and drink delicious coffee with cream.There are 80 city museums out of which one can and should choose, so let’s start falling in love with the Vienna Museum Quarter.
Tbilisi is the capital of...
Each city of the world has own unique recognizable face that sticks in memories of travelers. Face of Tbilisi matures and improves with time, acquires noble European features without losing distinctive twinkle in its eyes…
Summer at a Real Ranch!
Upon watching movies about Wild West in America, more than one generation of children dragged their parents towards horses nearby a circus to try on well-loved characters and feel that very atmosphere for a minute. However that minute has always seemed way to short for me. Therefore, when I grew up, I headed to Colorado State to work on a real-life horse guest ranch called Sundance.
Everone soon or late comes to Rome
He shall never again be wholly unhappy, for he has seen Italy and especially Rome, Goethe said. Our reader and photographer Roman Matkov fully agrees with this opinion. Today he is sharing his impressions of the eternal city with our readers.
If you have 10 dollars and you are in Hurghada
We are proceeding to spend $10 in various destination... Today, in the sands of Hurghada, Egypt, we are looking for something worthy investing this money, to feel the city, touch and taste it. At the same time, we will see how not to fall into the trap of vendors who for the sake of your traveller’s wallet, will build a new pyramids and bring unknown species of scarabaeus.
If you have 10 dollars and you are in Seoul
People with features of magpie who likes every glittery thing, will find it very difficult to stay in Seoul. If you are used to the fact that your eyes get lost in ordinary shops, then, believe me, in Seoul they will go multi kilometre marathons with your every step. What if you have only $10 in your pocket? Be patient and spend money on the most interesting things.
If you have 10 dollars and you are in Stockholm
Stockholm is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Nevertheless, its residents are satisfied with this status of the capital, and it is no wonder since an average salary in the city reaches USD2800... So, at first glance, it is a difficult task to have a good fun in the Swedish capital if you have just USD10 in your pocket. But this task is not hopeless once you stir your imagination and wind up your brain.
Закрыть
Outlook facebook page