TWENTY FIRST DAY. A FAREWELL TO THE MONKS. |

Around 10 a.m., we say our goodbyes to the kind monks, which we have befriended in the last 2 days. We drive in direction of Tbilisi because we have no time left for Vardzia.

Near Tbilisi, at the Shavnabada monastery, Janis is waiting for us. He’s been living in Georgia for 5 years and helps the local agricultural cooperative with his knowledge.

Janis has many friends in Georgia and once again the road takes us to monks. Janis supplies the monastery of Shavnabada with milk, so he’s well known around here.

Father Georgi tells us a lot about the monastery and the lifestyles of monks, but asks us not to film him. This monastery is well known because it is one of the residences of Georgia’s patriarch, Ilya II. We get the chance to see the patriarchs living quarters and his workroom which he uses while living in the monastery. Later, we are taken to a wine cell, where monk-made wine and chacha are kept.

The evening continues in the cow farm where Janis works. He tells us a lot about his life during the evening and what he has learned in Georgia.