The beginning of an unforgettable journey
Have you ever seen the amazing Gudamakari Gorge in Georgia, or is the 'happiness of seeing it for the first time' still ahead of you?
Saturday morning, unusually early, started for us, and with it the new campaign of Europcar Georgia and ensemble 'Didgori' 'You are waiting ' has started. The expectation that very soon we would be on the road and be in Gudamakari was very strong.
The road made us a little nervous, because it had snowed heavily the day before, and in such weather, as a rule, the road in the valley is closed and it becomes difficult to move. However, we believed and felt that the only family which was left in the village of Tsinmkhari was waiting for us, and we were similarly motivated to meet them.
That's why we chose those special cars from the Europcar fleet, that could be trusted in any situation, and despite the weather, we set out on the road.
Snow covered valley
If you've ever traveled with an ensemble, you probably know how amazing, harmless, and fun any trip can be. Ensemble 'Didgori' held a rehearsal of a solo concert prepared for the Aftsiauri family in the car, and with the accompaniment of Georgian folk songs, we proudly and excitedly headed towards the Gudamakri valley.
The road turned out to be not so easy. A rather high and untracked snow cover made it difficult to move, but the governor of Gudamakri, Malkhaz Tsiklauri, helped us to clear the road as much as possible, and we managed to reach the village of Tsimakhara.
The only family left in the village
Aptsiauri's family welcomed us with warmth to the gates, as if we were their missed relatives;
Whether we set foot in the yard, I immediatly felt that here, in Gudamakari, winter has a completely different smell - cleanliness, harshness, coziness, the smoke rising from the chimney of the house; this is the place you've miss all the time and don't know where to find.
There is a small house in the middle of the yard, where cousins Vazha and Nodar Aptsiauri live with their families. For more than 30 years, Nodari has been bearing the name of Khevisberi (which is a traditional rank) and has been care on traditions, prayers, and customs.
And Vazha, takes care of four children and the well-being of the village.
They are doing their best every day, and it's what makes them so special for all of us. The reason for visiting them was to hear more about Gudamakri and express our gratitude that they take care of this amazing part of Georgia.
valley rebirth
We tried to make these people happy at least a little bit, however, we realized that they didn't need all that much, because actually what gave them the greatest happiness - it was us, the people who showed interest and love for Gudamakari. This family is 'waiting for you', waiting for you to fall in love with you and share their valley and stories with you.
The longer we talked with them, the more I liked and admired this place. For me, this trip was a return to Gudamakar, a return that made many new and interesting discoveries. At the beginning of the journey, an inner voice seemed to tell me that new adventures awaited me in Gudamakar, and indeed, this trip turned out to be an unforgettable experience for me.
And now, Gudamakari 'is waiting for you...', and for what, you will probably find the answer yourself.
