Fall of Autumn and the rise of Winter
As we are in the midst of winter and celebrating the new year, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the beautiful months of autumn where the green leaves transitioned into golden leaves to prepare for winter.
Maybe because that is exactly what we are experiencing right now in life. We are transitioning into the new year preparing for the year ahead. We are in our golden month. If you are in the southern hemisphere this could be the golden sun rays of summer.
Either way let’s take time to reflect on the golden months which prepared us for the new year.
Seasons of celebrations
From our first thanksgiving to my first autumn birthday, a white Christmas and a happy new year.
Giving thanks
Spoiler alert, we do nothing the traditional way. An American, South Africans, Russians, Canadians, Swedes and a Georgian celebrated this day with Italian food (plant-based too) in Tbilisi. While most of us do not relate to the American holiday we all have things to be thankful for.
This year was different than most years (a bit of an understatement) and not by accident. What brought us here was a series of decisions, courage to action on them and determination to pursue them passionately.
Golden rule #1 Be thankful
Being thankful not only for the outcome but the journey itself — knowing that to start a new book you have to close the old one. Like leaves falling from the tree in order to bloom again — so you should do to bloom again.
A Birthday where natures celebrates with you
With its golden leaves as the natural confetti to welcome you into your birthday. What a beautiful season to celebrate your birthday. No biases but if you do ask Georgians autumn is their favorite month and I’m not surprised. Gone are the scorching hot days which are welcomed with more cooler days.
A birthday high — no literally. We travelled the most scenic route to an area called “Racha” or known as “little Switzerland” by locals. Where we hiked 3000 meters above sea level surrounded by pine trees, breathed in the freshest air and drank pure mineral water coming from a waterfall.
Golden rule #2 Celebrate life
It’s starting to feel alot like Christmas
When do you know it’s winter? Not by the date on a calendar but when meat are no longer in fridges but outside (yes, exactly what you think - outside) you know then its winter.
Ok truth bomb the Georgian Orthodox celebrates Christmas on the 7th of January as they follow the Julian calendar. Although don’t ya worry luckily for us, Georgians like to celebrate — that’s one thing they are not late for…in fact actually the one thing they will be early for.
When December hits — it’s like this city turns into overdrive. You would hear chrismas songs non-stop, Christmas lights lit this city more than street lights, Christmas decorations is everywhere — literally everywhere shops will have dedicated floor levels with ONLY Christmas decorations — no excuses. Everyone simply turns into Santa clauses elves — everyone.
As if that wasn’t “Chrismassy” enough we took a drive to Gudauri where we spent our Chrismas in snow — yes indeed our first white Christmas. Ok sure we by now have seen and experienced snow….well did we? The temperatures fell to a -20 degrees celsius, snow as high as ourself if not higher.
Which brings us to a very “snowish” activity. Snowboarding and snow angels. What’s a winter trip to the mountains without falling on your butt attempting snowboarding or making snow angels in your swimsuit — simply incomplete.
Golden rule #3 live your highest self
And a Happy New Year
And so we came to the end of 2021. A year of many firsts, even up to 12 o’ clock on the 31st.
Coming from a country where fireworks are illegal, Georgians however feel about fireworks like South Africans feel about “braai” why not do it everyday. So as we know by now if it’s someone’s birthday there will indeed be fireworks. On a night like the 31st — it surely does not disappoint. There is simply no rules when its dark you will see or hear fireworks but at 12 o’ clock the entire city explodes into this magical world of colorful sparkles. It was a night to remember just as the year have been a year to remember.
So cheers to all of you who followed our journey in Georgia and cheers to the next journey that awaits.
Thank you Georgia for being our first country to visit, through confusions, being very good at body language, friendships, breathtaking nature and REAL mountains. We will always treasure 2021 as the best year of our lives.
Golden rule #4 Dreams come true if you believe in them
“Shoba Gilotsavt” to all my fellow Georgians
Anina & Daniel
