Tbilisi Tales - Bush Visit (5/10/05)
Occasional Tales from our Life in the Republic of Georgia
President Bush became the first US President to visit Georgia when he, Laura Bush, and Secretary of State Rice arrived in Tbilisi on May 10 for a one-day stop. Preparations for the visit were quite interesting. Roads were paved and buildings were painted -- at least those on the President's route! Things that were too ugly or hard to fix in the short term were covered with construction tarps - a real Potemkin Village.
Sophie and Amy had a chance to meet the President at an event organized by our embassy. In fact, Sophie got to sit in the first row right next to President Bush. Unfortunately, about two sentences into the President's speech Sophie had a meltdown and had to be removed by a press aide. In the photos below, you can see the President, Secretary Rice, and US Ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles looking at Sophie when she started crying. Amy was very embarassed, but Jason couldn't have been more proud. A little political activist is born! Enjoy the photos - and Sakartvelos Gaumarjos!! Glory to Georgia!!
I come in peace!
President Bush, Ambassador Miles, and Secretary Rice speaking to the US embassy community - Sophie was in the front row in her baby seat being very quiet until...
...she had a crying fit and got the President's attention!
Newly painted building in downtown Tbilisi
Jason with Bush billboard
President Bush became the first US President to visit Georgia when he, Laura Bush, and Secretary of State Rice arrived in Tbilisi on May 10 for a one-day stop. Preparations for the visit were quite interesting. Roads were paved and buildings were painted -- at least those on the President's route! Things that were too ugly or hard to fix in the short term were covered with construction tarps - a real Potemkin Village.
Sophie and Amy had a chance to meet the President at an event organized by our embassy. In fact, Sophie got to sit in the first row right next to President Bush. Unfortunately, about two sentences into the President's speech Sophie had a meltdown and had to be removed by a press aide. In the photos below, you can see the President, Secretary Rice, and US Ambassador to Georgia Richard Miles looking at Sophie when she started crying. Amy was very embarassed, but Jason couldn't have been more proud. A little political activist is born! Enjoy the photos - and Sakartvelos Gaumarjos!! Glory to Georgia!!
I come in peace!
President Bush, Ambassador Miles, and Secretary Rice speaking to the US embassy community - Sophie was in the front row in her baby seat being very quiet until...
...she had a crying fit and got the President's attention!
Newly painted building in downtown Tbilisi
Jason with Bush billboard
posted by Jason, Amy, Sophie, and Matthew @ 6:45 AM
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