Georgia...
Is it the eternal classic "Georgia on my mind" of Ray Charles ? ..
Hello everyone !
Welcome to Notes & Thoughts !
We aim here to bring you regular updates on factors and events impacting financial markets in the Middle East and North Africa region with an accent on foreign exchange and rates.
We also aim to bring reflections on certain topics and subjects, close to recent events, which we think are worth stopping on .
Thank you for your attention !
Is it the eternal classic "Georgia on my mind" of Ray Charles ? Is it Georgia , the US Southern state , where President Trump asked the Secretary of State to find 11 000 votes during last elections ? or is it the small country stuck between Russia in the North and Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan in the South ?
Of course the latter . Georgia sits uncomfortably with its northern neighbour , they had a bit of a spat 16 years ago and two separatist regions only recognized as independent states by 7 UN countries are making things difficult. Not to mention recent laws hotly debated and demonstrated.
From the Gulf countries, it is almost unforgivable not to visit. A three hour flight ! Between the capital Tbilisi, the Black Sea coast, the Caucasian mountain range and countless monasteries, churches scattered around the country, there is a lot to see. And to eat and drink ! Georgia's wine industry is supposedly over 8000 years old. Georgians are incredibly proud and have at heart to make you discover and enjoy their country and history. Be prepared for long toasts ( around a table) and lots of singing !
But today is a different story ! Georgia's football team qualified for the first time for a major championship , the Euro 2024. And even better they managed to qualify for the next round by defeating Portugal, no small feat, that's Ronaldo's country ! True, next round will be tricky as they will face Spain ! But they achieved so much already. Street celebrations were matching the result ! They made the country super proud and in those days, it is a big thing ! Some will say that they had nothing to lose ! Maybe ! But if they walked on the pitch with the fear to lose, then they lost already !
Again, that's a lesson for us all ! Give it all ! No regrets ! Some will argue that the biggest muscle in the body is the " gluteus maximus " ! We sit on it ! But assuredly, it is the one located between our two ears, the brain ! if the brain doesn't give the order to the "gluteus maximus", it can be as strong and powerful as one wants but it won't move !
Little hint to other teams ranking in the favourites !