Difference between revisions of "Georgia"

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|country = of  Georgia
 
|country = of  Georgia
 
|map = <map lat='42.277' lng='43.824' zoom='6' view='3'/>
 
|map = <map lat='42.277' lng='43.824' zoom='6' view='3'/>
|language = Georgian is the official language. The west of the country speaks Mengrelian or Svan. Russian is universally understood.
+
|language = Georgian is the official language. In the west of the country Mengrelian and Svan are also spoken. Abkhazia and South Ossetia each have their own languages. Russian is universally understood except by some of the very young.
 
|capital = [[Tbilisi]]
 
|capital = [[Tbilisi]]
 
|pop = 4,774,4732
 
|pop = 4,774,4732
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|hitch = <rating country='ge' />
 
|hitch = <rating country='ge' />
 
}}
 
}}
'''Georgia''' is a country in [[Western Asia]], that borders [[Turkey]], [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]] and [[Russia]]. A part of Georgia in the North-West is the de-facto independent though scarcely recognized state called [[Abkhazia]].
+
'''Georgia''' is a country in [[Western Asia]], that borders [[Turkey]], [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]] and [[Russia]]. Two part of Georgia in the North, [[Abkhazia]] and [[South Ossetia]] are de-facto independent though scarcely recognized states.
  
Hitching in Georgia is most of the time easy! Short waits and very friendly people. Road conditions in some places are quite bad so it can take some time but in most of cases there are renovated roads.  
+
Hitching in Georgia is easy most of the time! Short waits and very friendly people. Road conditions in some places are quite bad so it can take some time but in most of cases there are renovated roads.  
Spots are very easy to find, just head in the right direction and you will find a suitable place to stand. Sometimes luck isn't on your side though and you have to wait for a while. And the only cars who will stop for you are Marshrutka's who are expecting payment. But stay patient! Eventually someone will stop for you.
+
Spots are very easy to find, just head in the right direction and you will find a suitable place to stand. Sometimes if luck isn't on your side though and you may have to wait for a while and the only cars who will stop for you are marshrutkas which expect payment. But remain patient! Eventually someone will stop for you.
Older people rarely speak English, they speak Russian but youngsters are speaking English (in most of cases in big cities; in villages youngsters are speaking only Georgian). And a few phrases in Russian can be handy (or even better in Georgian!).
+
Few people over forty speak English but can speak Russian. People in their twenties and younger are able to speak more English at least in the bigger cities. In villages even youngsters might only speak Georgian but in the last couple of years many young people from English-speaking countries are being sent to the villages to teach English. A few phrases of Russian will be handy or with a little extra effort people will be amazed if you know some Georgian.
  
 
== Getting in ==
 
== Getting in ==
Citizens of EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries don't need visa to enter and stay on the territory of Georgia for 360 days.
+
Citizens of EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries don't need a visa to enter and stay in the territory of Georgia for 360 days.
 
;via Turkey
 
;via Turkey
When arriving from west, your likely point of entry to the country will be [[Sarp-Sarpi border crossing]] with [[Turkey]] on the Black Sea coast. That border crossing has a steady traffic and it's possible to cross the border on foot.
+
When arriving from the west, your likely point of entry to the country will be [[Sarp-Sarpi border crossing]] with [[Turkey]] on the Black Sea coast. That border crossing has steady traffic and it's possible to cross the border on foot.
* There is another crossing a bit further east, from Türkgözü to [[Akhaltsikhe]]. Although the Turkish border road is large and in good quality, the road from the border to Akhaltsikhe is a really bad dirt-road. Wouldn't recommend this border, although the police there are very friendly and will help you get a ride.
+
* There is another crossing a bit further east, from Türkgözü to the village of Vale and on to [[Akhaltsikhe]]. Although the Turkish border road is large and in good quality, the road from the border to Akhaltsikhe is a really bad dirt-road. We wouldn't recommend this crossing unless you prefer more adventure, but the police there are very friendly and will help you get a ride or find a place to stay if it's getting late.
 
;via Armenia
 
;via Armenia
If you are going to [[Armenia]] you have to cross Sadakhlo border, it's possible to walk over the checkpoint and the border police is nice.
+
If you are going to [[Armenia]] you have to cross Sadakhlo border, it's possible to walk over the checkpoint and the border police are nice.
 
;via [[Russia]]
 
;via [[Russia]]
 
Since July 2011 it is also possible to cross the border to/from Russia for all citizens at the [[Verkhny Lars-Darial Gorge border crossing]].
 
Since July 2011 it is also possible to cross the border to/from Russia for all citizens at the [[Verkhny Lars-Darial Gorge border crossing]].
 
;via [[Abkhazia]]
 
;via [[Abkhazia]]
Foreigners with a valid Entry Permit can enter [[Abkhazia]] from Georgia, but have to leave it as well via Georgia. Travelling from Russia through Abkhazia towards Georgia is impossible, as you're then already regarded as illegal in Georgia.
+
Foreigners with a valid Entry Permit can enter [[Abkhazia]] from Georgia, but have to return to Georgia. Travelling from Russia through Abkhazia towards Georgia is impossible, as you'll then be regarded as having illegally entered Georgia.
  
 
== Sleeping ==
 
== Sleeping ==
Line 33: Line 33:
  
 
== Food ==
 
== Food ==
It's hard to be hungry in Georgia. Easy to find delicious and very cheap food in every city, in small villages you will be often invited by locals.
+
It's hard to be hungry in Georgia. There's easy to find delicious and very cheap food in every city, in small villages you will be often invited to eat with locals.
  
 
== Climate ==
 
== Climate ==
Summer can be really hot in Georgia. Temperature is around 35-40°C so you need a lot of water, which isn't problem to find (majority of Georgians use tap water) and security from the sun.
+
Summer can be pretty hot in Georgia with temperatures around 35°-40°C so you'll need a lot of water and shelter from the sun. Water is easy to find and in fact most Georgians use tap water.
  
Winter is quite cold and snowy, especially the north part of Georgia.   
+
Winter is quite cold and snowy, especially the north parts.   
  
 
== Using police cars ==
 
== Using police cars ==

Revision as of 23:06, 13 April 2012

Flag of Georgia Georgia
Information
Language: Georgian is the official language. In the west of the country Mengrelian and Svan are also spoken. Abkhazia and South Ossetia each have their own languages. Russian is universally understood except by some of the very young.
Capital: Tbilisi
Population: 4,774,4732
Currency: Lari ( GEL )
Hitchability: <rating country='ge' />
Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots
<map lat='42.277' lng='43.824' zoom='6' view='3'/>

Georgia is a country in Western Asia, that borders Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia. Two part of Georgia in the North, Abkhazia and South Ossetia are de-facto independent though scarcely recognized states.

Hitching in Georgia is easy most of the time! Short waits and very friendly people. Road conditions in some places are quite bad so it can take some time but in most of cases there are renovated roads. Spots are very easy to find, just head in the right direction and you will find a suitable place to stand. Sometimes if luck isn't on your side though and you may have to wait for a while and the only cars who will stop for you are marshrutkas which expect payment. But remain patient! Eventually someone will stop for you. Few people over forty speak English but can speak Russian. People in their twenties and younger are able to speak more English at least in the bigger cities. In villages even youngsters might only speak Georgian but in the last couple of years many young people from English-speaking countries are being sent to the villages to teach English. A few phrases of Russian will be handy or with a little extra effort people will be amazed if you know some Georgian.

Getting in

Citizens of EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many other countries don't need a visa to enter and stay in the territory of Georgia for 360 days.

via Turkey

When arriving from the west, your likely point of entry to the country will be Sarp-Sarpi border crossing with Turkey on the Black Sea coast. That border crossing has steady traffic and it's possible to cross the border on foot.

  • There is another crossing a bit further east, from Türkgözü to the village of Vale and on to Akhaltsikhe. Although the Turkish border road is large and in good quality, the road from the border to Akhaltsikhe is a really bad dirt-road. We wouldn't recommend this crossing unless you prefer more adventure, but the police there are very friendly and will help you get a ride or find a place to stay if it's getting late.
via Armenia

If you are going to Armenia you have to cross Sadakhlo border, it's possible to walk over the checkpoint and the border police are nice.

via Russia

Since July 2011 it is also possible to cross the border to/from Russia for all citizens at the Verkhny Lars-Darial Gorge border crossing.

via Abkhazia

Foreigners with a valid Entry Permit can enter Abkhazia from Georgia, but have to return to Georgia. Travelling from Russia through Abkhazia towards Georgia is impossible, as you'll then be regarded as having illegally entered Georgia.

Sleeping

Pitching a tent is a normal thing for the local people, forbidden only in city centres and near ruins.

As usual in the former Soviet Union, it is possible to rent private rooms from local people. In any city or small town one need only go into a shop or small restaurant and ask if someone has a room. Prices start from around 10 lari, and sometimes tea and even dinner is included.

Food

It's hard to be hungry in Georgia. There's easy to find delicious and very cheap food in every city, in small villages you will be often invited to eat with locals.

Climate

Summer can be pretty hot in Georgia with temperatures around 35°-40°C so you'll need a lot of water and shelter from the sun. Water is easy to find and in fact most Georgians use tap water.

Winter is quite cold and snowy, especially the north parts.

Using police cars

In Georgia it is possible to "hitchhike" with police cars. Due to the country's desire to become more European, a major reform of the police was undertaken, affecting also the way the police work and deal with people. You should not be afraid of asking policeman for information or help. Most probably they will help you and even more.

The police provide a special type of service - they can deliver you to the address you are asking - for people who are in a position to be harmed or injured, for example when you are a foreigner and traveling alone in Georgia. They can bring you to the address you name or to a hotel. Keep in mind that you will have to fill out and sign a form. It is recommended to use this service in the evenings and nights.

Cities

Regions