In our neighborhood

We stayed home this morning while it rained hard outside and was so dark.  This afternoon we got cabin fever and just wanted to get outside; so this blog is just about sharing some sights in our general neighborhood - around Vorontsov Square and up Agmashenabeli Street to Marjanishvili.

There appear to be more and more little hotels hidden away on side streets and in the upstairs of buildings.  This one is new since our visit here last year.

It has never completely stopped raining today so we had to bite the bullet when we went out and not let the rain bother us too much.  We enjoy walking these older streets on the left bank near our flat, just observing the changes from year to year.

We've always liked this intersection, managed to get a shot off before more cars came through.  One thing we notice is another sharp increase in the number of cars in the city.  During rush hours walking is always quicker now than by auto!

There are so many interesting buildings that occupy spaces forcing the building into flatiron shapes.

Here are two nice balconies that will probably not be around for too many more years.

A school bus!  Yes, forget that yellow critter we see in the US and make it white with flashing lights.  We don't remember seeing such official-looking school busses before.

Butcher shop on Agmashenibelli

Cappucino at Entre

In the past two years Subway has gotten a toe in the door here in the restaurant business.  Appears to be the same menu as in the US

We like the two-level narrow steps in this little church's courtyard on Uznadze Street.

This pano distorts somewhat, but it is the only way to get a feel for the courtyard.

Another panorama from a different location within the courtyard so you can see the gate.

A square just down the street from our flat, now with official name signage!

Tomorrow is the IWA Christmas Bazaar...not called that any more officially, but unofficially that is how we'll always think of it.  The Sheridan Hotel will be undergoing renovations and won't reopen until 2016.  This means that next year's bazaar will have to be in a new location.