Georgia

It has been six months since I last analyzed the minimum wages in the former Soviet Union. Although it is not a major factor in economic growth, the minimum wage is still a relevant indicator in understanding a country's economic status. In my previous research in 2013, I found that Estonia had the highest minimum wage of $427, while Kyrgyzstan had the lowest at just $17 per month. In this updated analysis for 2014, the highest minimum wage is still in Estonia, with an increase to $480, and…

Recently Georgia signed Association Agreement with EU, which includes Free Trade Agreement with the EU as well. Georgian Politicians were so happy, that they rushed to announce some great plans - and so the MP of Georgia announced, that Georgia is eager to have full EU membership in the next 5-10 years.  So far so good.  On the other hand, the newly elected president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker has already announced, that he is not willing to see any enlargement in European…

Some time ago we find some offer on Facebook offering rafting tour in Georgia for 2 days - on Mtkvari river. Tour included raft, safety wests, oars, overnight in tents. It sounded pretty good, and we decided to claim this offer. Said - done! Our rafting tour started Saturday morning from Tbilisi (minibuss waited for rafters next to Radisson Blue and it was supposed to leave Tbilisi at 9:00 AM) As usualy doing something unexpected I don't plan it very detailed - for me it was clear - it's…

<p>In April I bought my first ever "smartphone" - Android phone with Dual SIM... It actully has WI-Fi router built in and in days I have no "ground" Wi-FI I can use Mobile Internet to connect to my laptop. Anyway - I'm very satisfied with my first Android phone.</p><p>I must admit I'm using phone for it's sole purpose - to call, but that has changed - with my new Android phone - I'm using few apps on it (Google Adsense, Google Analytics…

<p>Today at 12:00, Tbilisi time - former president of Georgia Eduard Shevarnadze after continues illness has died.&nbsp;</p><p>Many including me - remember Eduard Shevarndadze not only as president of Georgia, but also as a foreign minister of Soviet Union. There were time Mr. Shevernadze was considered second person after Mikhail Gorbochov in USSR.</p><p>Eduard Shevernadze after collapse of Soviet Union became a 2nd president of Georgia in 1995 and held his…

In summertime it's hot as hell in Tbilisi city - there are two options  - air conditioner or Turtle lake. I prefer second option.  The features of working at Turtle lake - here is a free Wi-Fi internet available, all across the lake (Silkspot), here is a great coffee bar - Intelligentsia, which Turkish coffee is among the best available in Tbilisi and Georgia overall. Turkish coffee at Intelligentsia coffee bar (Turtle lake) And best of all you can get out of your everyday Tbilisi routine…

<p>On the other day I spent interesting afternoon walking around one of Tbilisi's neighbourhoods - Saburtalo. Made a ton of instagrams, visited local shopping chain Goodwill, tasted sushi and other different activities.</p><p>On days like that - is great opportunity to observe what is happening around in city and in country. You might ask how? Well, it's easy with your eyes. I usually prefer free business newspapers available in different city's place. So it got…

Today for the first time in my life I felt tremors of earth quake and it happened in Tbilisi, capital of Georgia. Nothing serious, as it's was announced in news - magnitude of this quake was 4.8. Although using other sources I found it was even 5.2. My story will be as dumb as many other dumb stories you have heard, like  - I went to bath and then I noticed that water is swinging. Indeed, my story is dumb - I laid back to take a nap and felt my bed is swinging. OK... at first I thought and…

South Ossetia, a breakaway region of Georgia, has expressed its desire to join the Russian Federation. The region has been de facto independent since a 2008 war between Georgia and Russia, which resulted in Russia's recognition of the region's independence. However, South Ossetia's independence is only recognized by a handful of countries, including Russia, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. In February 2021, South Ossetia's parliament adopted a resolution calling for the region's integration into…

There are some nations that celebrate Summer Solstice, most of them located in Eastern Europe. Celebrating Summer Solstice involves having a bonfire. Since in Georgia, nobody celebrates Summer Solstice, and it was a working day, we decided to make a little fiesta on our balcony How to chill your beer for Summer Solstice (and not only) Typical food at Eastern European celebrated Summer Solstice includes yeast dough for patties, cheese (Georgian Sulguni), Rosol salads, and beer. How about a…