Tired this Sunday? Falling asleep on the metro? Finding yourself sitting still during the long commutes as you struggle to stay awake as the lights change? Perhaps you've found yourself drifting off in unexpected places? Well, Tbilisi had a bit of a lazy Sunday, as the city usually in its constant motion just felt a little more sleepy. A short trip to a relatively new mall in the north of the city revealed a slightly lacking audience of shoppers, a surprising outcome given the weekend and how malls are usually quite stacked. Though this was found on the side of a highway, not an easy location to get to, and perhaps one of the reasons as to why it had a slightly empty feeling. Though the sleepiness of Tbilisi was felt in all other places, as the roads felt a bit more quiet. The foot traffic in the streets a little less dense. And the people of Tbilisi just had this general appearance of holding no energy. From the balcony of the apartment, there is plenty of life to be seen. From the cafes and little fast food shops that are in the area, but today there was so little. Even the sound of obnoxious motorbike riders was lessened, as if they decided to just stay home and not be annoying, for once. I quite liked this difference, to be honest. To see the ways this city functions, how weekends can be considered generally a bit lazier, and how people really do appreciate their spare time and catch up on rest.
I am still yet to really explore the streets of Tbilisi, and the few glimpses of things I have had tend to leave a nice impression. The signs of life, the cafes and bars and little shops of everything in their plentiful. Even noticing brands from England that I almost forgot about, giving me an extra sense of home and connection to this space. I think so much time in Armenia made me forget what a lot of modern life can be like. Not that it's a bad thing, it definitely humbled me a bit and made me realise how people struggle when they don't have access to what genuinely are the luxuries of modern life, primarily in its conveniences.
The mall in the north of the city seemed to still be in development, with a few floors completely empty, and one of the top floors remained mostly empty with many signs saying the locations were available to rent. It was an interesting sight to see how Tbilisi was pursuing such a huge amount of change, to see that these malls were a new concept. Not all that different to Armenia, though those malls remained disappointing as the brands present were mostly just selling cheap Chinese trash. I think the changes here speak of the influence that comes to Georgia as people seek better opportunities from all over the world. Georgia now considers itself a European city, and I can see the reasons as to why. No longer holding similarities to Russia, and with so many people coming here like myself, taking advantage of the visa free year and simplicity of starting a business here, it's a scene that adapts and shifts relatively easy, with a group of people that aren't so afraid of change, instead welcoming it with an open arm. To drive through Tbilisi is to witness these changes, the mixture of old Soviet apartment complexes with the new ones, and the only way you can really tell which is which comes from the more colourful and dated, rustic look of the Soviet ones. Often holding strips of pink, yellow, or red down them. Very colourful, whereas the more modern ones hold a bit less identity in comparison.
I think this mixture of old and new meets the expectations and lifestyle of Tbilisi. The lack of endless chaos, the endless pursuit of development and change doesn't feel exhausting. To walk through the streets doesn't give the feeling of everything unfolding right before your eyes as time rapidly passes. I like it, I like that people can relax, that there is a slower pace of life mixed with the realisation that things still have to keep moving. And people know when to take a bit of the load off. Take this handsome fellow for example! No, I don't mean the man on the scooter.
This is the first Sunday I have experienced here in Tbilisi, the first weekend having arrived late on Sunday night. This entire past week has felt like utter insanity, constantly running around and trying to figure out the basics before being able to relax a little myself and see what else the city has to offer. Even now, I still feel a little bit like the dog. Also ready to drop and sleep at any moment, wherever possible. Even if my head rests on the hard and cold flooring. This past week I arrived, moved one night into a hotel, checked out of the hotel and moved into a pretty poor Airbnb, figured out how to open a bank account (still pending approval), and found an apartment to rent long-term, to which that was finally moved into the other day. All while now running around the city in search of the best options for general home things as it now needs to be filled and given some personalisation in the form of utensils and general comfort. Getting some pillows, bed sheets, cutlery, and pretty much anything else you could possibly imagine one might need when moving into a place. Though brief moments are enjoyed. Coffee on the balcony, to look out and look at the city. Walking around a little bit and finding glimpses of home, way back in England.
Realising that there are some things I do miss from back home, and seeing these things gives me a larger sense of peace here. I do think I am a rather nostalgic person, but not one to easily miss a location. I would not say I generally miss home, but I would say I feel a bit tired after the last near 8 or 9 months; desperately longing for that break and relaxation that comes with moving into a place and having a more definite stay. Late nights, early mornings. But that comfort of home. That feeling of having a more personal space. No longer holding the worry of having to leave every four or so months for visa reasons.
But, much like the people (and animals) of Tbilisi, while I may looked stocked up and full of energy as I run around with the camera and maintain a frantic pace in search of various things for home; I am also runnin' on empty. I share your tiredness, Tbilisi. And I shall begin to join you during those lazy Sundays from here on. Let's slow down, just a little bit, eh?