Schetsen uit den Kaukasus De Aarde en haar Volken, 1887

A curious traveler returns from the bustling coast of Tiflis only to be whisked away on an unexpected invitation from an Armenian district chief. He boards a rattling train to Samtredi and then swaps the rail for a rattling four‑wheeled “perekladnaja,” a cramped cart that jolts over the rugged interior, its journey measured in permits, horse changes and the clatter of three steeds. The vivid description of these logistical quirks paints a picture of a world where every mile demands a new passport and a fresh bout of patience.

The following day the party reaches Orpiri, a river‑side village that hovers between Mingrelian and Georgian lands. There the narrator meets the reclusive Skoptzi community, whose solemn faces and fish‑only diet stand in stark contrast to the sturdier, better‑dressed locals. A primitive pontoon bridge, powered by men turning a screw and rowing, carries passengers and carts across the swift Phasis, while distinctive tsjokhas and short vests mark the different cultures. The scene blends striking geography with intimate cultural snapshots, inviting listeners to travel alongside a 19th‑century explorer through a land of rugged beauty and hidden customs.