Day 3: Football Tournaments, the Dezerter Bazaar, and Our First Georgian Shawarma

Tuesday was all about sports, massive markets, and our first real street food experience. If you are a future student coming to Tbilisi, your first few days will definitely include figuring out what local life looks like outside the classroom. Here is how our third day went down:

1. School Spirit: The Football Tournament

We spent the first part of the day checking out the school’s football team. They were playing in a tournament against several other local schools, so we went to watch and cheer them on.

It was a great way to see a completely different side of the school culture. The atmosphere was loud, competitive, and really energetic. Even if you aren't the biggest sports fan, going to these events is one of the best ways to blend in and see how local students hang out.

2. Getting Lost in the Dezerter Bazaar 🍅

After the match, we headed over to the Dezerter Bazaar (Desertirise Bazari). This place is one of the largest open-air markets in Tbilisi, and it is a complete sensory overload.

Coming from pristine, quiet German supermarkets, walking into this bazaar is wild. It’s huge, a bit chaotic, and packed with colors and smells. There are literal mountains of fresh fruits, buckets overflowing with spices, and blocks of local cheese. The prices are incredibly cheap, and it’s the ultimate place to practice your basic Georgian phrases while buying snacks.

3. The Street Food Test: Georgian Shawarma 🌯

By the time we left the bazaar, we were starving. We decided to grab something quick and ordered what looked like a Turkish Dürüm—but here, everyone calls it Shawarma.

If you are a student from Germany used to standard Döner or Dürüm, the Georgian version is an entirely different beast:

• The Difference: Instead of the typical garlic/yogurt herbs or tomato sauces we get at home, Georgian shawarma relies heavily on pickled cucumbers, onions, a unique spice blend, and often a mix of mayo and ketchup.

• The Size: They roll it up tightly in a thin flatbread (lavash) and toast the entire thing until it’s super crispy. It is absolutely massive, packed with flavor, and incredibly filling. It’s definitely going to be our go-to fuel for cheap student lunches over the next few weeks.

Tip for Future Students: When you visit the Dezerter Bazaar, make sure you bring actual cash (Georgian Lari). Most of the small vendors don't accept cards. And when you're hungry, look for a busy Shawarma spot with a line—that’s how you know it's good!