A Nightmarish Experience at the Georgia-Türkiye Border

My friend and I were filled with anticipation as we finally arrived at the Türkiye-Georgia border, eager to embark on our exploration of Georgia. However, our excitement quickly turned to frustration when we encountered unexpected complications. We informed the border guards of our Lebanese nationality and our visa exemption, yet we found ourselves waiting indefinitely while other travelers passed through without issue. With our train from Batumi to Tbilisi scheduled to depart at 12:40 AM, we implored the guards to expedite the process, but instead, they began to interrogate us about our studies in Türkiye and our reasons for visiting Georgia. My friend presented her Georgian student identification, while I provided my Turkish student residence permit. Despite my friend’s passport being filled with stamps from previous visits to Georgia, the guards appeared indifferent. We explained that we needed to retrieve her belongings from her apartment in Georgia, but our plans were thwarted. Ultimately, they issued us two documents citing vague "other cases envisaged by Georgian legislation" for our denial of entry, which lacked any coherent justification. Throughout this ordeal, while our passports were with another official, the guards took numerous photographs of us, which felt exceedingly rude and disrespectful. The overall treatment we received was disheartening, and as this was my inaugural visit to Georgia, I have no intention of returning or recommending it to others.