Guide in Georgia

In Tbilisi, Georgia, in February ’08 I had the best personal guide I have ever had: Anna Uturgauri (Str. R. Eristavi 9, Apt. 1, Tbilisi, 0179 Georgia; e-mail annau@caucasus.net).

She is not quite 23 years old, but I found her, oh, so knowledgeable about Tbilisi and Georgia and any topic that arose.

What made her special, besides being so ebullient, was her desire to help me do what I wanted to do, not what the travel book suggested I should do. I told her I didn’t want to go to any museums because I could go to one or two by myself the following day at my own pace. Instead, I wanted her to take me to a grocery store so I could see what was available.

I told her I wanted to eat some typical Georgian food. No problem! She took me to a restaurant and ordered six different dishes for us, all different from what I had tasted before.

She took me to the post office and helped me there, and she helped me to obtain balcony tickets ($20) for the opera “I Pagliacci.”

Anna is certified in English, German and French, but Georgian is her native language, and she says she thinks in Russian. She also speaks Spanish, Italian and another language or two.

She charged me $40 a day (not including transportation) and for two or more persons charges $100. I recommend no guide more highly than I recommend Anna.

BRUCE KIELSMEIER

Klamath Falls, OR