REDUCE YOUR NAME TO MAXIMUM 2 SYLLABLES. Our full names might be a bit complicated, but we like to make things simple. You will probably meet some Tamaras, Ekaterines, Tinatins, Tornikes, Iraklis, Avtandils and Giorgis. But they will almost certainly introduce themselves as Tamo, Eka, Tina, Toko, Ika, Avto and Gio. You will instantly fit in, if you reduce your name to two syllables. Michael? Miko! Nicolas? Nika! Samantha? Sami! Daniela? Dani! That’s the trick!
GEORGIAN MAYBE TIME. Time is relative, right? This is especially true in Georgia. Life is full of surprises here. Sometimes the bus you are waiting for just doesn’t come, there is an electricity cut or there is a traffic jam earlier than usual. We understand that for some of you it might be frustrating, but once you are here, just get over it and don’t be angry if your friend is 15 minutes late.
ARGUE ABOUT GEORGIA BEING PART OF EUROPE. “So, is Georgia in Asia or in Europe?” When you hear this question (or heaven forbid you ask it yourself!) you can be sure a long heated discussion is coming. If you want to be popular among Georgians just forget all you learnt in Geography class and even prepare a few arguments supporting the notion of Georgia historically and culturally belonging to the European space! (Otherwise it couldn’t be part of USE-IT, right?)
BECOME A MASTER OF BIRZHA. Once in Georgia, you will notice groups of men and sometimes women, sitting or squatting in front of the buildings in the suburbs, or just on the street, discussing and eating
semitchki (sunflower seeds). This is birzha the art of doing nothing and everything at the same time, the highest level of chilling and observing life. How to practice it? Get yourself a pack of unpeeled semitchki, squat in a park, talk about politics or gossip about common friends!
HUGS AND KISSES. It always takes a few awkward moments before you learn the local greeting rituals. That’s why we are here to help! In general, we kiss once on a cheek, usually on the left side. If you were just introduced to a new person, you may shake hands, or you can also add a brief kiss/cheek touch. If you run into a good friend you can also hug them, don’t be shy.
BARGAIN + ARGUE BARGUE! Some people might try to get the most cash out of you on your trip here. Don’t get ripped off, bargue instead. If you stop a taxi on the street, always negotiate the price in advance. If you find something pretty at the bazaar, bargue! We have friends who treat it as a sport and even try to negotiate lower prices in the electronic shops. If you have the nerve, try!
TAKE ME TO CHURCH! The majority of Georgians are Orthodox Christians. At first you might be surprised or even scared when people travelling with you in a bus start crossing themselves. Don’t worry, most probably you are not getting into a deadly accident, you’ve just passed a church. If you plan to visit one of the many churches, follow the dress code. Men should wear long trousers, women should have a longer skirts and a scarf, to cover their hair and shoulders.
SHEMOMECHAMA Let’s say you are on a diet, only 3 khinkalis are allowed but you’ve eaten 7 of them without realizing it.
We call it Shemomechama, that’s a feeling of accidentally eating food.
KHUTI LARI 5 Lari is the limit in barguing with taxi drivers while riding in the central districts of Tbilisi.
VAIME! You will hear it everywhere, from everyone in Georgia, locals express disappointment, joy, fear, excitement. It’s basically Georgian word for “OMG!”
EUF! If a Georgian is shocked, a Georgian screams Euf! We use it a lot, really a lot, well, there are simply many things to be shocked about in Georgia!
to learn how to get on Kiki Vakhushti Bagrationi Bridge, Right Embankment Fri Sat 23.00–10.00
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DANCE WITH THE FISH
If aquaman would like techno, you would see him enjoying the sounds of a river intertwined with the sounds of electronic music here. Mtkvarze used to be fish-market but now it’s one of the best stages of the city. Choose from the cocktail of experimental, raw, deep techno, funky house, electronica and nu disco. Nikoloz Baratashvili Left Bank Fri – Sat 23.30–09.00
TOUR DE FORCE!
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Delicate and thrilling, simple and yet deep, Movement Theatre helps you to unwind and to get a blob of glee and joy without any words, through dance, movement and music, from a rhapsodical and professional group of people. Agmashenebeli st 182 Mushtaidi garden Thu, Sat, Sun 16.00–00.00 Wed, Fri 16.00–22.00
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COME
Elarji. If you ever manage to understand the weird wall decor, please let us know! 137 Davit Aghmashenebeli Ave Mon Sun 09.00–22.00 ///bunk.setting.hoot
WHAT TO ORDER FOR A SUPRA
LOBIO
Kidney beans with coriander and lots of different spices served in a clay pot. Try it with jonjoli, a pickled plant endemic to Georgia. The best lobio is served in Salobie Bia 52 ).
KHACHAPURI AND LOBIANI
Khachapuri comes in different forms and shapes, each region has its special way of preparing it. It’s basically a dough filled with cheese, sometimes with an egg. If you eat a lot of it, you will become really fat. Are you vegan? Try lobiani – pastry with beans instead.
KHINKALI
Don’t order this if you are on a first date, unless you both have a kinky food fetish.
These dumplings are filled with meat with a lot of hot liquid and you eat it by holding the tip in your hand, biting a little hole in the dough and sucking out all the broth and then eating the rest. Never cut it with fork and knife and always leave the tip on
the plate. Alternatively, you can also have mushroom or cheese khinkali.
PKHALI
Vegetable pate of carrot, spinach or cabbage, all mixed with mashed walnuts, spices and pomegranate seeds, usually served as a starter – foodgasm at the first course.
ELARJI
One of the best things the Samegrelo region gave to Georgia – delicious corn porridge with loads of melted cheese. We are unable to describe with words how delicious it is, so you just need to go to 11 and try it.
WINE + CHACHA + COGNAC
Georgians are really good at making drinks from grapes. We literally invented it. So try all of them. Traditional wine made in qvevri (a large clay vessel), grape vodka and grape brandy.
For those who seek consistency in contradiction, Tbilisi has nurtured authenticity that takes place regularly in the form of curated nights on weekends (and not only). A culture which aroused from socialist realism into late capitalism was brought to you by the local youth to challenge your perception of joy.
PREFACE FRIDAY
Friday lands on top in terms of significance of the nights. Events are heavily drafted with Internationally contested artists by the promoters of the venues.
Start around 9 at 10 26 36 42 – loaded with myriad of open minds and help yourself to moderate amount of alcohol.
Do talk about: Politics, Desires, Art, Internet, Memes and be ready for Hype.
After 3 am, once you’ve exhausted your warmup endeavours, take off to one of the major clubs 4 5 7 ). Each club has its own subculture developed – the way people dress, dance, interact. The night goal is to enjoy the music, therefore, making noise, disrupting personal space or being drunk as a skunk is not accepted here. Just dive in the rough techno beats or gentle ambient tunes until the sunshine breaks the darkness and betake yourself home.
SATURDAY
After a draining Friday, treat yourself to a decent brunch in one of the suggested places ( 22 37 53 ). Visit 15 to satisfy your need for some of the tracks from the last night. Besides that, you can continue spoiling yourself by shopping for clothes or accessories by the local designers 14 16 41 56 ).
Don’t forget to hydrate yourself – inside-out – get a relaxing bath in one of the bath 61 62 ). This will definitely put you back on your feet for the next round of the dance. 30 58 can satisfy your techno thirst.
SUNDAY
“It’s time to make your eye drink water!” That is what we say when one needs to change the environment. Go out of the city for a short trip. We suggest – Mtskheta, Sighnaghi, Uplistsikhe, then come back before late dinner. Have a proper Georgian Supra at 21 52 50 ), once back and get ready for a last sensual urban beat bestowed from heaven 25 29 ).