The sound of Batumi is a street musician playing Hotel California on an accordion.

The smell of Batumi is salt air.

The taste of Batumi is fresh tomatoes and cucumbers with Khachapuri (cheese bread).

The feel of Batumi is a collision of East and West, Communism and Capitalism, old and new, war and peace.

I have never been in a city more in flux. Even the architecture is like liquid. One building is called “The Bottle.” Another looks like it’s twisting, another is undulating, yet another is melting. Their fountains dance as the huge ships move in and out of the port.

Many thanks to the Tevzadze family and their friends for an amazing time in Batumi!