Georgia Convention 2018

Trip to Georgia and more Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Share

Footprints
Photos

Trip start
July 15, 2018
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Sunday, July 1, 2018 at 3:00 PM
☀️ 91 °F
Altitude: 869 ft
United States Bennington Municipal Forest 42.86881, -73.1707342°52’8” N 73°10’15” W
2
4
Planning To See...
July 1, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F
Ideas in the city to see...
Yes, Jennifer I can access the site, and enlarge the pics. Debbie C
7/3/18Reply
Traveler Great , Deb. Thanks for testing. 😙
7/3/18Reply
Jeannette N Tim Putnam Wow!
7/3/18Reply
4 more comments
1 like
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Monday, July 2, 2018 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 88 °F
Altitude: 735 ft
United States Downtown Bennington Historic District 42.87838, -73.197142°52’42” N 73°11’50” W
1
Getting Blog Ready for Convention Trip
July 2, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F
Excitement is building ...
Nice..Helen Wilhovsky
7/15/18Reply
1 like
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Sunday, July 15, 2018 at 11:16 AM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 43 ft
United States John F. Kennedy International Airport 40.64218, -73.7915340°38’32” N 73°47’30” W
3
2 4
At the Airport & through security
July 15, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Waiting to board. Seeing groups of Friends too! The hugs have already started and we only made it one state over 😂
Traveler Surprise! We had no idea. Ran into our former KH Maintenance trainer couple from NH, Tom & Nancy C. On same flights. Maybe like 20 others Friends too? A guess, so far... Had to all put our badges on so we could know who the Friends are. Came in handy, as we had a gate change and could tell each other!
7/15/18Reply
how exciting!!!!!!!! you look great!! thanks for sharing the adventure.
7/16/18Reply
Traveler Thanks... Whoever u might be 😀
7/16/18Reply
6 more comments
5 likes
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Monday, July 16, 2018 at 6:30 AM
☀️ 73 °F
Altitude: 177 ft
Turkey Istanbul Atatürk Airport 40.98676, 28.8105240°59’12” N 28°48’38” E
2
Istanbul Ataturk airport connection
July 16, 2018 in Turkey ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
Only there briefly, so didn't see much. Longer scheduled connections on the other end of the trip.
Traveler Love being above the clouds, adventure! Did you make requests for warp speed😉
7/16/18Reply
Traveler It was a good plane but not built like the Delta Flyer, so we didn't ask. 😉😉
7/16/18Reply
2 likes
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Monday, July 16, 2018 at 2:37 PM
⛅ 82 °F
Altitude: 1,568 ft
Georgia Tbilisi International Airport 41.67082, 44.9586141°40’15” N 44°57’31” E
1
1 1
Arrived in Tbilisi
July 16, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
So, we finally arrived in Tbilisi, Georgia around 10:30 am local time (2:30 am EDT). Our flight from JFK was delayed over 90 minutes before take off due to at least one passenger that wasn't supposed to be on flight being removed. Then they had to verify every bag had an owner on the flight and get their checked bags out of the storage hold. 😐
There were a lot of other friends on the same plane and we were worried we were going to miss our connecting flight in Istanbul. We were all pleasantly surprised when we found out not only was it still there when we arrived, but it was extremely close to where we entered the terminal. We think that most of the flight from Istanbul to Tbilisi was Witnesses.
Finally we arrived and were greeted by a LOT of friends.Read more
Bluebutterfly I love sun sets and sun rises when I am flying.
7/16/18Reply
Bluebutterfly On the ground safe and sound 😥😄🤗
7/16/18Reply
Bluebutterfly I see you had a window seat...I love the window seat. Get to have a bird's eye view. 😄
7/16/18Reply
3 likes
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Monday, July 16, 2018 at 3:27 PM
☀️ 82 °F
Altitude: 1,467 ft
Georgia Vere 41.72023, 44.7802541°43’13” N 44°46’49” E
1 2 1
First Sites of Georgia
July 16, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
Trip to hotel was interesting. Lots to look at. A volunteer brother took us 2 couples to our nearby hotels in his van. He liked the horn & was using his tablet (for map directions). And he used both of these AT THE SAME time as his phone, to try to get us where we needed to be. Yikes, but he didn't text while driving anyway, oh boy oh boy!Read more
Traveler This is a sports arena. We can just barely see our hotel above the roof and much farther beyond.
7/16/18Reply
Bluebutterfly I guess he is good at multi-tasking
7/16/18Reply
Bluebutterfly So narrow...do they drive on those streets?
7/23/18Reply
Traveler Yes, and we drove in and out of there to deliver a couple of Friends to their hotel.
7/23/18Reply
3 likes
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 11:32 AM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 2,011 ft
Georgia Otarsheni 41.99889, 44.0937241°59’56” N 44°5’37” E
1 3
Gori Assembly Hall
July 17, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Visited Assembly Hall. It is an outdoor one and very nice! The small KH is also on the same grounds. There is a separate outdoor building housing the restrooms and baby nursing area. Met a bunch of local Friends and conversed as best we could. A perfect "surprise rest stop" on the way to our scheduled outing! 😂😙Read more
Bluebutterfly Love to see all the smiling faces .
7/19/18Reply
Bluebutterfly And more smiling faces...I waved....not sure if you saw me 😋😆
7/19/18Reply
Traveler Nope,missed it... So many people. But we love u still, not to worry 😉
7/19/18Reply
2 more comments
2 likes
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 1:07 PM
⛅ 75 °F
Altitude: 2,005 ft
Georgia K'vakhvreli 41.96739, 44.2072641°58’3” N 44°12’26” E
4
3 1 1
Uplistsikhe
July 17, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Our tour today was Uplistsikhe ( sounds like: Oop'-lisch-i-kah), an ancient fortress town all made in the native rocks. It was a semi-rigorous climb in the heat & intense midday sun, but we helped each other navigate safely-- and were rewarded with some great views from up high. For more info on this mixed Christian/pagan creation, check this out: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/UplistsikheRead more
Bluebutterfly WOW, that looks amazing!
7/19/18Reply
Traveler Was an old "Christian" church from like the 13th century, or so. Built on a pagan worship & living area. Interesting site, but we chose not to go up.
7/19/18Reply
Bluebutterfly Lots of stairs. At least you did not have to try to scale that hughe rock.
7/19/18Reply
7 more comments
2 likes
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at 1:30 PM
☀️ 77 °F
Altitude: 2,057 ft
Georgia Charebula 42.03764, 44.1017142°2’16” N 44°6’6” E
2
Restaurant "Nacharmaghevi"
July 17, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
Ate a huge lunch at "რესტორანი ნაჭარმაგევი" ( Restaurant Nacharmaghevi). They gave us many small courses, eating with our little tour group + around 125 other Friends. We all met up at this Georgian restaurant's banquet hall. Got our first tastes of many authentic foods. Most were totally excellent!! Also a first serving of the many wines they are known for, poured from large glass pitchers, go figure. Then a surprise concert by a family group who were professional singers, prior to learning the Truth. (Gave us time to process some of our big meal, before we needed to return to the big bus taking us on the 1 1/2 hr ride back to the city).

*A musical treat to hear: https://photos.app.goo.gl/JdaqnTKH1CB1sAAW7Read more
Traveler The local mineral water from the Springs
7/23/18Reply
Traveler Borjomi is a location nearby.
7/23/18Reply
2 likes
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 3:37 PM
☀️ 91 °F
Altitude: 1,175 ft
Georgia Rustavi 41.55658, 44.9761641°33’24” N 44°58’34” E
Field Service day
July 18, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F
Traveled an hour south of Tbilisi to Rustavi --to go in field service with Friends from the Megobroda congregation. We each were partnered with a sister and walked the dusty streets to our assigned apartment buildings. Geoff's partner was Te'a and Jenn's partner was Maia. Before and after svc, loving hospitality was shown thru food, drink, and singing & dancing. A few genuine tears followed as we were departing. Some sisters were very moved that we came out to be with them.Read more
BluebutterflyYour companions are lovely. 😊 it must have been so cool to go in service 😎 and really hard to leave 😭😢
7/19/18Reply
3 likes
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 7:00 PM
☀️ 86 °F
Altitude: 1,834 ft
Georgia Mukhrani 41.94148, 44.58541°56’29” N 44°35’6” E
1 2 2 1
Evening Gathering at Mukhrani Chateau 1
July 18, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F
Evening Gathering for half the international delegates was at a gorgeous vineyard chateau, Muhkarani. Huge grounds, lots of snacks and wine from vineyard served for a short time (maybe 6 kinds to choose from). Included the local volunteer Witnesses, some chateau staff and many other local Friends. Not sure of the attendance, but our garden party was for more than 2000 or even 3000, we believe. Just purely lovely association, peaceful, & in a paradisaic setting! Taste of the New World, we are sure.Read more
Bluebutterfly Yummy! That looks good.
7/23/18Reply
Bluebutterfly I see Geoff is back to his old self....a face only a mother could love (or maybe a wife). 😆😋
7/23/18Reply
Bluebutterfly Nap time???
7/23/18Reply
3 more comments
2 likes
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 9:00 PM
🌙 77 °F
Altitude: 1,834 ft
Georgia Mukhrani 41.94147, 44.5849141°56’29” N 44°35’6” E
1
Evening Gathering 2
July 18, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ 🌙 77 °F
After association, food and wine in the vineyard, the local brothers and sisters performed a concert and dance show behind the chateau. 1st rate production for our huge crowd! Very enjoyable and well done.Read more
Jeannette N Tim PutnamLooks like a great time!
7/21/18Reply
Bluebutterfly This event must have been very entertaining and up building. The story with the "mighty hunter" sounds like it was funny.
7/23/18Reply
3 likes
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 11:00 AM
☀️ 84 °F
Altitude: 1,575 ft
Georgia Tbilisi 41.69142, 44.8766141°41’29” N 44°52’36” E
1
Georgia Branch 1
July 19, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
One our favorite tours was of the Georgia Bethel. Inside we visited most of the depts & they had special displays & stamp stations, for collecting in our "passport books" ---proof of visiting each interior Dept. Outside there was a fair type atmosphere all around the Branch grounds with activities/games, food, music, and eating tent. There was even a cool wine tent, where a Brother scooped and served wine out of a ground hole where it is aged & stored!!!Read more
Traveler Geoff tried with the suit coat at Bethel. Only lasted about 5 mins--- so hot in the intense sun.
7/26/18Reply
1 like
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 12:00 PM
☀️ 86 °F
Altitude: 1,575 ft
Georgia Tbilisi 41.69142, 44.8765941°41’29” N 44°52’36” E
Georgia Branch 2
July 19, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F
Inside fun in various Departments.
https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/office…
1 like
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 12:30 PM
☀️ 88 °F
Altitude: 1,388 ft
Georgia Mtkvari River 41.69155, 44.8060141°41’30” N 44°48’22” E
2 1
Tbilisi -- old town walking tour 1
July 19, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F
Embarked on an interesting walking tour of the oldest parts of Tbilisi. (Along with some modern additions). Without this, we would not have any idea about the rich architectural, nor cultural age of the city.Read more
Bluebutterfly Did you have a police escort?
7/25/18Reply
BluebutterflyLooks like a very fascinating place. Lots of interesting things to look at.
7/25/18Reply
Traveler No, they were just taking a shortcut, I suppose... And in the shade. There was a bit of a breeze coming through there, and that's why I stopped at the top while we rested.
7/25/18Reply
Beautiful!
7/25/18Reply
1 like
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 12:30 PM
☀️ 88 °F
Altitude: 1,575 ft
Georgia Tbilisi 41.69132, 44.8766241°41’29” N 44°52’36” E
2
2
Georgia Branch 3
July 19, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F
Just so much to do and learn here!
https://jw2018.org/Home/KingdomWork
Jeannette N Tim Putnam Kind to the sheep ❤
7/26/18Reply
Jeannette N Tim Putnam Kathy N says that suits Geoff 😁
7/26/18Reply
Lisa MischAre those real goats?
7/27/18Reply
3 more comments
1 like
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 2:00 PM
☀️ 91 °F
Altitude: 1,322 ft
Georgia Samarkhakhevi 41.68836, 44.8110341°41’18” N 44°48’40” E
Tbilisi -- old town walking tour 2
July 19, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F
Went down into an underground shopping bazaar (Turkish styled and influenced).
1 like
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 2:30 PM
☀️ 93 °F
Altitude: 1,339 ft
Georgia Mtkvari River 41.69033, 44.8111441°41’25” N 44°48’40” E
1
3 1 2
Tbilisi -- old town walking tour 3
July 19, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ☀️ 93 °F
Across the Mtkvari river to Metekhi Virgin Church and statue of King Gorgasili
Bluebutterfly Did you ride on the tram in the background?
7/25/18Reply
BluebutterflyLook like it is rich in history...if those buildings could talk...the stories they could tell.
7/25/18Reply
Traveler Nope, we hoofed it up and down everywhere in the heat and across the river. Very lovely sites, but we almost boiled over with the 98° feel... And not much shade or wind. Plus, Geoff likely wouldn't have ridden it...
7/25/18Reply
5 more comments
1 like
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 3:00 PM
☀️ 93 °F
Altitude: 1,342 ft
Georgia Samarkhakhevi 41.688, 44.8109741°41’17” N 44°48’39” E
3
Abanotubani and Sulfer Baths
July 19, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ☀️ 93 °F
Beautiful park like area mixed with old town buildings and ancient sulfur baths-- still in use. The warm waters is where Tbilisi gets it's name: https://georgia.travel/en_US/shida-kartli/tbilisi

While we had hoped to soak in the hot springs, the weather that day was in the 90s, with a "real feel of 98". We would have literally cooked ♨️🌡️Read more
BluebutterflyYou don't like Mazanec stew? 😓😥😦😧😋
7/25/18Reply
TravelerNo, we were feeling like being in a crock pot, slow cooking, for many hours, many days. But the smells were NOT as pleasant, nope 😲😧😕
7/25/18Reply
Beautiful1
7/27/18Reply
2 more comments
1 like
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Friday, July 20, 2018 at 9:00 AM
☀️ 75 °F
Altitude: 1,742 ft
Georgia Saburtalo 41.71826, 44.7279841°43’6” N 44°43’41” E
1
Convention Day 1
July 20, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
Arrived at the Olympic Palace for Convention day 1. Holds normally around 4,500. We were a tight 6,000+, using most of the floor. Many Special Conventions are like 8-12 thousand, so this was smaller for a smaller country, but quite tight and mostly hot! (Like 1/3rd AC power 😩) But we all survived.Read more
Awesome!
7/25/18Reply
3 likes
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Saturday, July 21, 2018 at 10:00 AM
⛅ 75 °F
Altitude: 1,736 ft
Georgia Saburtalo 41.71832, 44.7278941°43’6” N 44°43’40” E
1 4 2 1 2
Convention Day 2
July 21, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
2nd day hotter and more Friends, but the loving atmosphere continued. Gift giving and receiving intensifies. 🛍️💌
Traveler See Pam and Andy Cyr from Bellows Falls, VT? 👫
7/23/18Reply
Traveler Bro Lett 😆😀😉
7/23/18Reply
Traveler Bro Numair 😄🤗
7/23/18Reply
7 more comments
3 likes
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Saturday, July 21, 2018 at 6:41 PM
☀️ 86 °F
Altitude: 1,713 ft
Georgia Saburtalo 41.71784, 44.7279741°43’4” N 44°43’41” E
2 5 3 3 3 5
Colorful Convention Fun
July 21, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F
Had fun with Friends and taking memorable photos 🎩👗
Traveler Yes, Geoff had to help, of course. Gave our local bus monitor sister a break any way.
7/21/18Reply
Traveler Yup, there's a goof in every crowd! Can u guess his country?
7/21/18Reply
Just Beautiful the Worldwide Brotherhood. Debbie C
7/21/18Reply
19 more comments
3 likes
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Sunday, July 22, 2018 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 79 °F
Altitude: 1,742 ft
Georgia Saburtalo 41.71826, 44.7281541°43’6” N 44°43’41” E
2
2 1
Convention Day 3
July 22, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
Last day. More colors, hugs, photos, kisses, and gifts!
Traveler A sweet Georgian couple 💕
7/23/18Reply
TravelerI met a witness couple from Iraq on Sunday at the convention. And then later, after we got back from supper, Jennifer went into a grocery store and while I waited outside, I got to informal witness to a man from Iran. (Tehran is less than 1000 miles from Tbilisi.)
7/24/18Reply
TravelerYes, neat experiences for him 😁
7/24/18Reply
4 more comments
4 likes
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Sunday, July 22, 2018 at 7:00 PM
🌧 75 °F
Altitude: 1,755 ft
Georgia Vazisubani 41.71657, 44.8212441°42’60” N 44°49’16” E
Outdoors in Georgia, city
July 22, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ 🌧 75 °F
Scenes outside in the city.
1 like
Georgia Convention 2018
Show trip
Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
Share
Sunday, July 22, 2018 at 8:00 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 2,421 ft
Georgia Akhatani 41.95876, 44.7839441°57’32” N 44°47’2” E
Outdoors in Georgia, countryside
July 22, 2018 in Georgia ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Scenes of the countryside, beyond the capital city.
1 like