On the other hand, Gagik has it right and I too believe in the possibility of regional tourism that takes in say Azerbaijan and Georgia, Georgia and Armenia, Armenia and Iran or whatever. I also believe that someone should address the issue of making Yerevan a nicer place and that means getting rid of 95 percent of all the cafes and returning the green back to the city. Garo might say tourists like the cafes, but unfortunately, desertification and respiratory diseases result. I also believe the lack of proper recreational facilities affects the psychology of residents of the city.

I saw nothing to make me think otherwise in Tbilisi. Beautiful city and one that has a greater possibility for long term tourism growth than Yerevan does at present. That said, the Georgians seem to be doing quite well with Black Sea tourism so perhaps they’re quite content to keep their city intact. Moreover, I’d add that Yerevan as A WHOLE is MORE RUN DOWN than Tbilisi. I stayed in the extreme suburbs of the city and they were way in advance on similar areas in Yerevan.

Street lighting, paved roads, and many, many play areas and looked after parks for children and families. Also, much more economic activity in terms of supermarkets and shops. Community policing by officers who had the trust of residents was also evident although there is still a problem with crime. That said, the police in Tbilisi were amazing to behold after the corruption and inactivity of police in Yerevan. Of course, I’m sure armchair nationalists in California can “explain” that one away too.

Anyway, Tbilisi is overall a more relaxing and European city in my opinion. It also seems to have a better selection of cosy and very lovely little guesthouses as well as luxury hotels (2 Marriots and 1 Sheraton among others). The guesthouses are very well priced and we need more of those if tourism is really to take off. The Georgian resorts outside of the capital are also meant to be more evolved than in Armenia and I suspect that the same ratio of tourists visiting both Republics (4 to Georgia, 1 to Armenia) experienced during the Soviet era will emerge in the future.

Incidently, Georgia is also meant to be running ads on CNN so the deciding factor in the long term will be if Armenia or Georgia is cheaper than the other. So far, I think Armenia is ridiculously overpriced, especially for flights and accomodation. However, my main point stands. Amazing how people who have NOT visited Tbilisi suddenly become experts on it. Only Gagik seems to offer the best response to my comments although Zarchka has lamented the destruction of Yerevan and the charm of Tbilisi.

Anyway, I totally agree with Gagik’s comments.

From a personal point of view was how much more faith the Georgians had in the rule of law than Armenians here. This makes all the difference when considering how societies develop. I suppose the only other thing to add is that while the Georgians have and are still continuing to rennovate old buildings in town, they are also building new modern apartment and office blocks in derelict land surrounding the Center. Contrast that with Yerevan where corruption and extreme violations of human rights has seen the destruction rather than the development of Central Yerevan.

Anyway, while Mr E. sits in California and plays the nationalist card even when it involves places he’s never even visited, I’m quite happy to have Tbilisi as my escape from the madness of Yerevan. Even so, I wish someone would do something about the green areas and rule of law in Central Yerevan. One day soon this is going to adversely affect us all and many residents of Yerevan lament this situation. Hell, even the Mayor’s Office has admitted this fact, but says that it is powerless to do anything.

Anyway, given that your IP address ( 66.214.167.210) shows that you’re based in California I have to wonder if you’ve ever been to Armenia let along Georgia and even if you have, for how long you stayed. Quite remarkable.

In fact, the first question local Armenians asked en route back to Yerevan at every stop along the way was which is nicer, Tbilisi or Yerevan? Be honest, they’d say, and I had to admit that for me it was Tbilisi. None of them could dispute it or the reasons I gave as to why.

Why?

Because it’s full of old streets, buildings and religious monuments. Because it’s a multi-cultural mix. Because it’s so very, very green and the parks are intact while some very stylish temporary cafes for the summer and autumn haven’t destroyed the old part of town like the ugly, loud cafes have in what used to be Yerevan’s parks.

I’d also add that the police inspire confidence in the possibility for rule of law in Georgia and Tbilisi whereas in Yerevan and Armenia they are still typical of post-Soviet corruption. God knows how many times we got stopped on the way to the Armenian-Georgia border for bribes — five or six times? — but never once when in Georgia itself.

I’d also add that Georgians, Yezidi, Armenians and Azeris were particularly open about both the positive and negative developments in Georgia as well as regarding their place inthe world. The mentality developing was more productive than in Armenia as well, although I say that with some reservations. I’ll elaborate more on that when I post my full impressions.

But I do admit I was also very impressed by the fact that even the furthest residential districts from the center had street lighting as well as a vast number of playing areas and tennis courts and football and basketball pitches for kids and so on. My ultimate conclusion was that Tbilisi is following a natural and mature path in terms of development whereas Yerevan is not.

Ultimately, Tbilisi felt like a European city whereas Yerevan feels like madness and anarchy typified by a total lack of regard for communities and the environment or indeed, its own future. Anyways, don’t just take my word for it. Read Zarchka’s account of her recent trip to Tbilisi although as usual, she says she still doesn’t like Georgians much.

Some other accounts of visits to Tbilisi are at the following URLs:

http://community.iexplore.com/planning/journalEntryFreeForm.asp?JournalID=45407&EntryID=22095&n=Timeless%20Tbilisi&t=
http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/asia/tbilisi-streets.shtml
http://www.romartraveler.com/RomarPages/Georgia-Motili.html

A very beautiful city with plenty more for the tourist to do and to marvel at. Great place to stroll with both the new and old to attract and inspire. Meanwhile, more and more Armenians as well as other foreign nationals are flocking to Georgia’s Black Sea resorts, usually choosing to go there instead of Sevan.

You would.