Crossing into Abkhazia

I arrived in Sochi early this afternoon and will cross the border into Abkhazia later today.  The border is only about 20 miles from Sochi's center.

Preparations are in the final stages for the Sochi Economic Forum which will be held from September 17- 20.  The Forum is one of two held each year in Russia.   Governmental and business leaders from all over Russia and the world attend.  Sochi has a great deal of significance because of the growth in the region and the 2014 Winter Olympiad, which will be held here.  Prime Minister Putin has a dacha outside of Sochi in the mountains at Krasnaya Polyana.  The alpine events are to be held nearby.

I should be able to post from Abkhazia and I will add photos from the trip later.  I expect to return to Sochi later in the week to fly to Moscow for meetings.

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