CITY OF LOVE – SIGHNAGHI, GEORGIA

The quaint touristy city of Sighnaghi perched on the top of the hill, above it, the overhanging clouds offered a magical panorama and breathtaking views. Far below in a distance was a peaceful valley dotted with red roofs houses and a church against the range of  ice-capped peaks of Caucacus Mountains that separated Georgia and its neighbouring country, Russia. Though I arrived at this pretty town at noon, the low and heavy overhanging clouds still floating, and on the hilly rocky slope, pink and white daisy flowers swaying in the air, seemingly welcoming us. 

After the bus came to a halt at the assigned park and a brief about a day tour by the organiser, together with other visitors I wandered around the said town to see attractive and interesting things in the vicinity, however, during the visit the place was deserted. The cool winter season, where weather was unpredictable and gloomy and Covid 19 pandemic was yet far from over, had a heavy toll for this place where tourism is its major source of income was badly affected. We were told by our guest, a young and well-built Georgian man with full beard and a baseball cap on his head that this place was usually full of people who came throughout Georgia as well as international visitors. Hopefully, soon it would get back to the semblance of normalcy and put back smiles on the faces of local entrepreneurs as well as young Georgians who flock here before and after their oaths of marriage. It is not exaggerated to say, it is a compulsory for them to come here prior to their marriages to be blessed and after marriage to embolden their relationship, to last for their whole life. Solemnizing a marriage in Sighnaghi is the witness of their true loves.

Apart from breathtaking views of valley below the town, the 4 kilometers protection wall, arched gates and towers that all made of stones attracted our attentions. Altogether, there are 23 towers and 6 gates named after local villages. Climbing and walking at the one short stretch of the wall, I witnessed the spectacular views of the valleys below and the faraway hills and the most outstanding part of the experience of all was to stand on the tower, allowing to see 360 degree views of the surrounding. Turning the clock back, you would imagine, you were the warriors, who cladded in full armors; swords and lances, standing there, looking at potential enemy's soldiers from a distance who were marching in a full strength to invade the city that to dear to you. With your knights and equipped with weaponry and the battle was inevitable looming, you were fully prepared to defend the beloved city.  In those days’ people and the kings lived inside the walled city for their safety from intruders.

It is common for tourists and travelers to buy souvenirs and trinkets to their family members, friends and colleagues when they sojourn overseas. Keychains, fridge magnets, small coin pouches and t-shirts, to name but a few, are amongst the favourite by many. As for a traveler from Malaysia and Southeast Asia region, many of souvenirs and trinkets in Caucasus countries including Georgia are relatively or fairly unfamiliar and quite unique and I did not exactly know their exact usage. At one of the souvenir shops where red and white Georgian flags were hanging on the display lined for display, I found a black skullcap, it looked like the one we always wear to go to mosque. Our young Georgian friend told us, the said cap is commonly wear during winter season to warm one head and it is not suitable during summer because it will heat up one’s head. But for a sake of souvenir, perhaps it was acceptable to bring home. Hanging of the wooden wall, we spotted more or less the one which was similar with Khabib's hat, where in Russia it is known as Papakha. It cost 50 Lari, roughly RM85. I bought a fridge magnet, the middle aged-blonde hair woman vendor said "it is 5 Lari each, for you I give 4 Lari". Smiling, I grabbed it and handed over the right amount of coins. One piece of souvenir was enough; I didn’t want to go back empty handed. 

Oftentimes, people said out there somewhere in this world, other six people who roughly have the same face with you or me or anybody. Scientists call this as SIX doppelgangers. In my visit to Sighnaghi, I met someone who between forgotten and remembered because of the long years of parting, I found the one who almost similar with my untie. Looking at the fair skinned, diminutive figure of the octogenarian woman with crystal eyes and sweet kind smile turned the clock back of my mind of my father's elder sister, who he loved dearly. In every visit back to his root in a village in Machang, my father would prefer to visit her house first amongst his four siblings. As kids we had no idea what was the reason, and one day he told us between education and story, between driving car and talking: "once I had a broken leg, subsequently was bed ridden for some time and out of job; she looked after me very well, she showered her genuine love that I would never ever repay, supposedly, amongst siblings should love and support one another". I bought a fridge magnet bearing the name of this touristy city from her daughter as a souvenir. She was always around, talking and hawking to customer customers to buy items on display, and I observed any items that the latter touched she would put them back neatly at the same places. 

Every time I see the fridge magnet that I bought at the city overhanging on the door of our fridge at home, the mixed feelings of the city of love and the memory of my father and his beloved sister with the wise verse of education he deliberately imparted on us flashing on my minds. Love is an intense of feeling of deep affection, indeed.