January 2 is known as "Bedoba," which is celebrated as a "Day of Fate" according to Georgian tradition. I was invited to celebrate with my friend's family in a small village called Tsaishi. Bedoba is one of Georgia's many unique New Year's traditions marked by feasts and spending time with family and friends.
The second day of January is known as "Bedoba," which translates to "luck." How one chooses to spend this day will set the course for the new year. Many Georgians prioritize visiting family, friends and neighbors to share delicious New Year's dishes and toasts. Some Georgians carefully select the friends they will see on Bedoba, because, for example, spending time with a successful friend means that one's year will be filled with success. If one spends the day at home, the year will be filled with rest and relaxation. At my friend's home, I was the guest of honor at a large feast featuring New Year's dishes such as satsivi (turkey in a walnut sauce, served cold), pelamushi (grape juice pudding), and khachapuri (cheese-filled bread).
