Jvari

Martvili canyon is partially closed due to the rain this morning so no boat tour. I get a glimpse of the canyon by the spillover dam.

In Zinotha there is a little bakery by the side of the road where they bake Lavash in a round clay oven. He slaps the wet dough into the side of the oven and 5 minutes later he peels it off. They also bake a sweet bread with a really nice vanilla type flavor.

The road goes on through neighborhoods, my legs are heavy, six days straight of riding, tomorrow I just might take a side trip for the day to Zugdidi by bus.
The sun is out this afternoon and moseying along on tiny country roads through neighborhoods and fields. The final 5km are a surprise dirt road with views of the tall mountains that are too be my next target.

My heart sank as I saw the picture of the apartment building I'm staying in tonight. It looks terrible for starters but then even worse the top floors don't even have windows and those apartments are abandoned.
The hallway walls are concrete and cinder block, the rebar shows on the treads of the staircase. It's totally basic Soviet style from the 70s built for the workers of the nearby dam that they finished in 1987. Since then 6 of these buildings have been abandoned partially. Apparently the roofs still work, the windows were stolen and put in homes nearby. Now just a few of the apartments are being fixed, and once inside they are really well done, even with a washer for clothes. Comfy inside, noisy outside on this Saturday night. But a very lively and welcoming owner with food in his little market. A study in contrasts in this country of Georgia which is still intertwined with its Soviet past.Read more