holiday lights in Tbilisi

The holiday lights have finally come on.  Each morning and every evening I would expectantly check them out.  Yes, I go to work in the dark and come home in the dark, but hopefully don’t work in the dark.  The lights have finally lit up and what a fairy world the streets have become especially in the morning when there is so little traffic on them.  Above Chavchavadze Street floats large chandeliers while what appear to be enormous lit Christmas ornaments of the Cinderella ilk float above Rushevilli.  Icicles literally drip down above side streets while other streets have poinsettias hanging above them. (There are tubes hanging among the icicle lights that have a slow moving spot of light constantly drifting down.)  The many bridges over the river are outlined in lights, plus one bridge is cover with a complete canopy of lights while several others have small winged chandeliers hanging above.  Other streets have doves and elm leaves suspended above them, or strings of stars.  The only angles I’ve seen are large ‘lawn ornaments’ outside the Parliament building.  Stores do have Christmas trees but they are not traditional to the culture.  The western version of Santa is becoming known here in Tbilisi as there are so many Americans present.  The Georgian Santa is a friendly grandfatherly figure that lives in the mountains.  But they both bring presents to good little boys and girls.  Only the Georgian children have to wait until Jan 7, Epiphany, as Dec 25 is not a major celebrated holiday by the Church.  As I will be back here by the 7^th I will be able to enjoy both, and bring gifts back from the states.