Anecdote from the region Guria
Mocno pijany mężczyzna zataczając się próbuje wejść do autobusu lini miejskiej Ozurgeti, który był już wypełniony pasażerami. Ci zobaczywszy niezdolność pokonania kolejnych stopni i bezradność człowieka, wybuchnęli gromkim śmiechem. Mężczyzna usłyszawszy śmiech spytał się ludzi, z czego tak się śmieją? Na co kilku z nich siedzących najbliżej wejścia odpowiedziało: z ciebie, pijaku niezdarny. Nie zwracając zbytniej uwagi na śmiech pasażerów, mężczyzna odpowiedział tylko niezrozumiale pod nosem: śmiejcie się, śmiejcie; zobaczymy, kto będzie się śmiał ostatni, kiedy zasiądę za kierownicą mojego autobusu.
Guria is located in the western part of Georgia and shares a border with Samegrelo to the north, Imereti to the east, Samtskhe-Javakheti in the south-east, Adjara to the south and the Black Sea on the west. In the east part of Guria the lowlands become mountains and evergreen bushy forests swamp forests. Beech forests are found in the mountains and pine and fir trees can be found at higher altitudes. Guria is humid across the subtropical seashore as well as in the mountainous east, winter is mild while the summer hot.
Music and singing play a vital role in Guria culture and the Gurians
helped develop the world famous Georgian polyphonic style of singing. Naduri is a special song performed during a grape harvest or while
working in the fields. Traditionally singing Naduri lasted for longer
than an hour and over 200 people sang it together during work. Gurian villages are characterized by special charm and color, especially in autumn. Wooden houses often have corn kernels spread out like beads and pumpkins drying in the sun.
Gurian people were very good horse-riders. In Guria just like throughout western Georgia, people used to take part in a group horse riding game Isindi. This game required high professionalism in riding and good physical preparation. Often 20 riders ended up in the same arena. Gurian professional riders are famous in whole world, they traveled to Europe and America starting their performances with Georgian songs and dances.
The main attractions in the region are:
- winter and summer resorts (Ureki, Bakhmaro, Nabeghlavi),
- churches and monasteries (Okonas, Shemokmedi Complex...),
- winery (wine testing),
- mountain climbing.
