Tom the Communist

Today I spent the day in Tbilisi and apparently French President Nicolas Sarkozy was giving a speech--instead I went to a place called "dry bridge" where it's like a big flea market. I bought a whole pile of old Soviet pins for my Soviet infantryman rucksack. I bought 11 today, but one (a flag of Georgia SSR) fell off while walking around Tbilisi. None of them cost a whole lost, and it's easily replaced, but it was still a little sad. I got my first pin (the one in the upper right) from my girlfriend and her parents. They know how much Soviet history fascinates me and my girlfriend's mom was kind enough to send me the pin.

After that I decided I really just wanted to collect a whole bunch and put them on my bag (like a proper tourist). I'll continue to buy more, and I might head back to dry bridge tomorrow to pick up some more. It's funny because every time I come back to Keda and show my family the pins my host parents undoubtedly say, "Why did you buy those when we have a whole pile for free?" For tourists these things are awesome, and are like a collectors item. For Georgians it's like pennies and my host family doesn't understand why I'm so fascinated by it.

My commie pins on my commie bag.

This is also Tbilisoba, a special holiday based around the city (I always thought it was the founding of the city, but I may be wrong). In also coincided with Sarcozy's visit and so there was a small rock concert.

Looking back at the crowd. Check out the McDonald's all the way to the right. 

The concert. My camera was having a hard time focusing because of the crazy lights.

More of the concert

Freedom Square blocked off for Sarcozy's speech. Tbilisi was a bit of a pain to get around today. 

So, that's all I have to write about today, I hope all is well in the States (and the people from the other 12 countries that now read my blog)!