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29th December 2019, Tbilisi That was the second time I was visiting this city, but this time with a hope to make a connection. With whom? Truth is told, I travelled in search of love, but I had no idea what was actually waiting for me. Despite all the odds: like missing the flight, losing the luggage - I made it. I arrived in Georgia. Clearly it wasn’t an easy start, but I was happy I am there - after all, I came for a specific purpose. I love staying in hostels. I think hostels are the happiest places, where people meet from all around the world. No one fears anyone, it’s hard to find racism. People share smiles and their travel stories, drink & dine together and where strangers become friends. That’s why I checked-in to the hostel, owned and operated by a local Georgian woman, Anya. She was nearly 40 years old, with two sons (9 and 12 years old). I liked this hostel for two reasons: the place was right in the middle of Rustavili street, which is the main street in the centre of Tbilisi and secondly for its antiquity and homely touch. The paintings on those rustic walls, the wooden floor, high ceiling doors, antique piano and an enormous, old, wooden mirror in the living room. A bookshelf stacked with travel books from past hostelers, adorned with so many souvenirs from different countries. A jar of old wine corks, an old-fashioned fridge in the kitchen; the lamp shades, a cosy couch, a wall decorated with notes in varies currencies. It was a house full of memories and stories. There was a special warmth in this place. I celebrated New Year’s Eve with Anya and other hostelers. I was eagerly waiting for someone special for whom I came to Tbilisi. She had to arrive from Poland in 3 days. I told Anya about her, and she really liked my story and the fact that I travelled from far Dubai for this special connection. I was so excited, but unfortunately, she couldn’t come because her mother fell sick. Suddenly, I was clueless. Why am I still here? I was asking myself all the time. I beat all the odds to reach here, spent so much money and planned so much and it all went in vain… I was restless, hopeless and so annoyed with that situation. After taking a day for myself, I told Anya about it. She looked me in the eyes and said, “you will find your purpose, just give it sometime”. I smiled at her when she said that and the day moved on. The next day passed and then another one. I spent most of my time in sharing stories of our lives with Anya and the other two guys (from Germany and Lebanon), who have also stayed in the hostel since I checked-in. After spending 10 days in Georgia, I decided to return to Dubai. One day after breakfast, I told Anya that I am checking-out tonight, and she said, “G, can I ask you to stay one more night?”. I looked into her eyes and without delay of a second I said, “Yes”. I didn’t know why she asked me to extend or maybe I knew that we are going to miss the time we spent together. She asked me to stay because she had to tell me her life story - her special connection with someone, who came as a hostel guest in her life and left her with memories for life. They could never meet again, because fate set him free from his life. I heard her story, I wept inside, she got me speechless and said, “life is too short, so have the faith if you really want her and give her hope as well” then, I realized - the destiny brought me here to find my hope again! Less than 2 months later I met her – my first purpose of the trip to Georgia and I found out Anya was right all that time.