Caucasus – What and Where Are They?

That is exactly what the “ex-Marine” (husband, Steve) said when friends of ours suggested a MIR group tour with us along. The Caucasus consist of Azerbaijan, Georgia (no, not Atlanta, Georgia) and Armenia.

“ex-Marine” had a right to be concerned about these areas:

- Georgia has two areas with civil conflicts – Abkhazia and South Ossetia, supported by Russia.

- Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh; the border with Turkey is closed over that same dispute, in addition to long-standing animosity between Turkey-Armenia over the 1915 Genocide; and Armenia-Azerbaijan continue to dispute.

- Azerbaijan hasn’t resolved it’s conflict with Armenia (see above); talks continue with Turkmenistan on dividing the seabed and oilfield in the Caspian Sea; certain areas to cross between Azerbaijan and Georgia and are in dispute; and, if that’s not enough, is riddled with corruption.

In a nutshell, Armenia and Turkey hate each other – Armenia and Azerbaijan hate each other – Georgia and Armenia hate each other – skirmishes on borders with former Russian State – the Ashsetians, North Ossetians, South Ossetians – hard to remember all the hostilities!

Why, you may ask, would I even want to go to this region?

“…Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan share stunning mountain backdrops, powerful stone architecture and a strong code of hospitality. Georgia’s renowned culinary and wine traditions, Azerbaijan’s exotic Persian influence, and Armenia’s multitude of ancient churches combine to make this distinctive journey more than the sum of its parts.” (According to MIR Corporation). This was enough for me, but…..

Would this sway the “ex-Marine”? Tomorrow….