Relocating in Batumi

 03-01-2022

We're both up without the alarm and we both go up to the thirteenth floor for breakfast.  The pictures are a little sketchy because there were lots of men getting their breakfast and I felt pretty conspicuous. There was quite an array from which to choose, hard-boiled eggs, Georgian eggs, omelets, a different kind of katchapuri, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, cheeses, apple strudel (!), and more.  The coffee is the color of the night sky and I add as much milk as there is coffee in my cup.  I'm thinking that I really need to forget caffeine for a while;  but that's going to be a challenge!!  And the cappuccino here is so good!!

View from the breakfast room on the 13th floor.  That's the Black Sea hiding under the mist.

After our reconnaissance last night, we've decided to change hotels.  The nice lady at the desk was concerned that there was something wrong with her hotel and we assured her that it was very nice and the staff was wonderful;  it was just that our plans had suddenly changed!  Which they had! She was going to get us a taxi and asked our destination. Gulp.  I said we ought to see the Neptune Fountain at least before we leave.  It just happens to be in the same square as the Wyndham.  As it happens we didn't take their cab and, instead, stopped at a pharmacy and then found our own taxi.

It's a public school;  but I don't know what grade levels

At the Wyndham I took a giant step back and watched Ammar save us money on a better room with a tub and shower and large vanity and bidet.  Who knew I'd become such a hotel snob?! But if you're going to live there for a week, it should be comfortable!  So we're back in our favorite part of town, with a view of the mountains.  The handle for the window is missing and I guess that's a safety precaution;  but Ammar calls down and a yooung girl comes up to open the window.  He convinces her to leave the handle with us, which requires her to call down to the manager.  Good thing Ammar has already "made nice" with her! It's one of those windows that opens two ways and I ask him to open it horizontally so I can get the maximum amount of air.  It's a little cooler today;  but my claustrophobia is trying to kick in and the window is really important!

Interesting aside - on the way up in the elevator we are joined by a man who has shaved his head, has an enormous "diamond" in his ear, and has a tattoo of a pair of eyes on the lower back of his head! He calls the bellboy General because he has a military-looking uniform and Ammar and this guy laugh and chat a bit.  Turns out he is Israeli and Ammar knew that from the tattoo! You learn the strangest things when you travel!

I choose a mountain-view room and I'm sure tomorrow it will be easier to prove that!

I'm unpacking and breathing the cool air while Ammar gets his espresso and racks up a few more points. Then we're off to see what we can see!

I've finished and go down to retrieve my love and head out into the fresh air.  It's been drizzling butt has almost quit now.  We head toward Ali and Nino and find our little barista from the last trip! We've only got a one hundred lari bill and she doesn't have change!  We give her what coins we have and a pretty blue ball point pen and promise to be back in the morning.  As we're walking we pass a favorite shop and think to just buy enough to get change.  Well, so I overspent and had to use a charge card!  But the lady agreed to change the bill for us and we return to make good on our word.  She is surprised and tries to return the pen!!  No way!

There are many Ukrainian people in Georgia

The Chacha Tower

As we're walking back there is a huddle of people having a heated exchange.  At first we think it is another rally for the Ukraine like one we saw in Tbilisi'. but, in fact it is something completely different!  First - background - as we were walking earlier we were accosted (literally) but a group of street urchins!  One little boy kept grabbing ahold of Ammar!  He yelled at them and I did my best teacher voice, but it wasn't until Ammar balled up his fist that the kid started to cry and they all (about five of them) gave up on us! Now back to the huddle.  Upon closer inspection we see that same little monster and it appears that he is getting his just deserts.  But, really, there is some adult somewhere who has taught him this behavior and he is the one who should be getting in trouble! We've never seen anything like this in Georgia before and suspect that these kids are another nationality.

Europe Square

Back at the hotel I do a little research and find that the "baby aspirin" that the lady sold Ammar is really a little too strong to even be adult aspirin, 400mg instead of 325 for adults or 81 for babies (okay, not for babies, but for people with heart difficulties). And it effervesces and has 240 mg of Vitamin C!  We decide that he should cut them in half and just take one half every other day.

The food at this casino is nothing like the wonders at the Raddison in Tbilisi.

Tummies full we adjourn for a little R&R and then I play with my photos and Ammar works on amassing more points.  When it's time for dinner we decide to see if the Radisson's casino is like its sister in Tbilisi.  It's not.  The food is not as tasty and the menu is non-existent.  When I ask about it the girl just laughs and walks away!  And when Ammar asks about his favorite, shrimp, I have to resort to bringing up a picture on my phone!  But there is a buffet and it's fairly varied.  And, again, you can't beat the price!  Ammar still has credits on his card from Tbilisi and we just play long enough to justify our dinner! 

It's drizzling lightly, but we don't melt and the walk is only a couple of blocks.

And I didn't get any of the couple of soups or katchapuris or pasta or rice!

On the way home we pass through a large crowd of people supporting the Ukraine, and when we get home and turn on the TV we can see the live coverage! Of course it's all in Georgian;  but we get the idea!  I was too chicken to take pictures, though. All those unhappy people and policemen were a real deterrent.