Snow, Dreams, and the Warmth of a Cold Country: My Journey to Georgia

Growing up in the Philippines, where the seasons shift only between dry and wet, snow always felt like a distant fairytale—something seen in movies or postcards, but never touched or felt. As a child, I’d imagine what it was like to hold a snowflake, to breathe in crisp winter air, or to simply see my breath fog up in the cold. But with snow falling only in countries that seemed far away—like Japan, China, or Korea—and visa hurdles making travel more complex, it remained a quiet dream tucked away in the corners of my heart.

Life, however, has a beautiful way of surprising us.

My first real step toward that dream came when I moved to Dubai—a city that not only gave me a job but also the ability to travel more freely. It became a gateway to the world. And in the winter of one unforgettable year, that gateway led me to Georgia.

Where is Georgia?

Georgia rests between Europe and Asia, bordered by Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. With the Black Sea on one side and the Caucasus Mountains towering in the distance, it’s a country that feels like a painting—wild and elegant at the same time. Georgia is predominantly Christian, and during the holidays, the spirit of Christmas wraps itself around the cities and towns in quiet reverence and joy.

The Journey Begins: My First Taste of Winter

I took a FlyDubai flight from the UAE to Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital. As a UAE resident, I was lucky to receive a visa on arrival. The flight was about four hours, but I barely felt the time—my heart was too full of anticipation.

When we stepped out of the airport at 9 AM, a cold wind wrapped around me. It wasn’t just cold—it was magic. At 12°C, it wasn’t freezing, but for someone used to 30+°C weather, it was surreal. That breeze was my first real handshake with winter.

First Impressions

Everything about Georgia felt new to me. It was my first time in a European country, and even the way the trees stood tall—many of them pine—was different from the tropical foliage I knew. The city looked like it had built-in filters; the light was soft, the colors muted and elegant. And yes, the people—Georgians are effortlessly beautiful, and their winter fashion? Straight out of a style magazine. It was like walking through a living, breathing fashion show.

Our First Day in Tbilisi

Our first day was filled with history, architecture, and spirit. We visited ancient churches and ruins, crossed the Freedom Bridge, and stood before the towering statue of Mother Georgia. On a riverboat ride, the cold kissed our faces while the city glowed around us.

The most spiritual moment of the day was stepping into an Orthodox church during mass. The sound of the chants, the flickering candles, the way the light streamed in—it was deeply moving, even as an outsider.

We ended the day at the Chronicles of Georgia, a massive monument telling the nation’s story. From the hill, I saw snow-covered mountains in the distance. It felt like the past and present stood side by side in silence. And there I was—part of it all.

The Dream Fulfilled: Snow in Gudauri

On our second day, we headed to Gudauri, a ski resort three hours from Tbilisi. Along the way, we stopped at the Zhinvali Reservoir. I’ve never seen water that blue—it was like glass reflecting the soul of the sky.

But nothing prepared me for Gudauri.

It was everything I imagined and more. Blankets of snow stretched endlessly, the air crisp and clean. I stood still for a moment, closed my eyes, and took it all in. This was the snow I had only dreamed of. And now, I was here.

I rode a cable car to the mountaintop, made my first snow angel, threw snowballs like a child, and jumped around like I was five years old again. For those precious hours, I was suspended in joy. Time froze with the snow around me. I didn’t want it to end.

Sacred Sites and Wine Roads

On the third day, we visited the Gelati Monastery. Nestled in the mountains, it was a place of stillness and ancient grace. The walls whispered stories of faith and resilience. We then explored a nearby village known for its wineries, tasting traditional Georgian wines that warmed our frozen fingers and lifted our spirits.

Lunch was on a cliffside, fog rolling in like a slow, silken curtain. It was freezing, windy, and absolutely perfect.

Echoes of the Past: Uplistsikhe

The next day, we hiked through the cave city of Uplistsikhe—once a key part of the Silk Road. Walking through the stone chambers, I felt a connection to the past, imagining lives lived, stories told, and dreams dreamed here centuries ago. It made me realize how small we are in time, yet how deeply we can leave our mark.

Snowfall, Bears, and Wonder

On our fifth day, we went to Tskhvarichamia to feed bears and make snowmen beneath pine trees. And then—snow began to fall. Real, gentle snowfall. I reached out my hand and caught a flake. It melted instantly, but in that one moment, it felt like the world had given me a gift I’d been waiting for my whole life.

The temperature dipped to 2°C, but my heart was on fire. I didn’t care how cold it was—I had never felt so alive.

A Christmas to Remember

We celebrated Christmas at a restaurant called Magnolia, and it was one of the warmest, most joyful meals I’ve ever had. The food—khinkali, khachapuri, shashlik, lobio—was unforgettable. And the locals? So warm, so welcoming. We laughed, toasted with beers, and celebrated together as if we’d known each other for years. That night, Georgia didn’t just feel like a destination—it felt like home.

Final Thoughts

Travel teaches us that the world isn’t as unreachable as we think. I used to believe snow was a dream I’d never catch. But here I am—writing this, remembering how it felt to lay in it, play in it, be surrounded by it. I realized that the world is smaller than we imagine. And sometimes, all it takes is one leap—one flight—to see it differently.

I hope that one day, borders are kinder, and travel becomes more accessible to all. Because if more of us could see the world from each other’s eyes, I truly believe it would be a softer, more understanding place.

Georgia gave me more than snow—it gave me awe, perspective, and a chapter in my life I’ll never forget.