We began our 7th day in Georgia in the village of Bodbe, the place where the most important Georgian saint, St Nino, died. Georgian people call her St. Nino Equal to the Apostles and Enlightener of Georgia. Her final resting place is in this small chapel. The first chapel was built over her grave by King Mirian in the 4th century.
The new St Nino church is finished outside but still not finished inside:
What did St. Nino create? She neither wrote nor painted, but nevertheless she managed to change the Georgian people completely, in spirit and in flesh. – Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II
St Nino Cross at the entrance to the small chapel.
Kakheti region is famous for its wineries. Wine can be tasted in many places. Our place to taste wine and eat a traditional Georgian meal was in Sighnaghi. My Lonely Planet guide claims that Sighnaghi is the prettiest town in Kakheti. It has been renovated recently and it is now better prepared for the tourists.
Our lunch, wine tasting and presentation of local customs was organized by one of the families in this village. All family members of all generations were involved:
Wine is ready for tasting:
A string with nuts is dipped in tatara – a mixture of flour, sugar and badagi (concentrated fresh grape juice).
The best part was bread making. This particular kind of bread is called shoti.
Long strips of dough are attached to the walls of the circular oven with wood fire at the bottom:
Only flower, little bit of salt and water. So simple and so good!!!!!
Our lunch:
Always with cheese:
And khinkali:
Smacznego!
YUM!