4 pm local time (noon GMT)

Today's rally was truly impressive. An estimated 15,000 people took part in forming the human chain, which was around 15 kilometers long. People had "Stop Russia" shirts and banners, Georgian flags, and chanted, "Long live Georgia." The mood was elevated -- Poti residents knew they were part of a truly large-scale rally, spanning cities and towns all over the country, and that brought a tremendous feeling of solidarity. There were priests among the protesters, and some prayers by participants; others sang the Georgian national anthem or folk songs. Ethnic Ossetians, Russians, and Armenians also took part in the rally, all to condemn the Russian aggression.

The chain extended all the way to the Seventh Kilometer, where one of the Russian checkpoints is located. The Russian forces were still there, of course, with their armored vehicles and heavy machinery. The soldiers never behaved aggressively toward the protesters: Some of them even approached the human chain, taking photos or filming with video cameras; other troops were content to bathe in the Rioni River as the rally proceeded. But overall, as I said, no one acted aggressively in any way.

11 a.m. local time (7 a.m. GMT)

Like all other towns throughout Georgia, Poti is getting ready for the big demonstration today. At exactly 3 p.m., a human chain is to be formed in order to protest Russia's actions. The streets of Poti are filling with people -- not just in the center, but also on the outskirts. They are holding Georgian flags, and huge banners that say "Stop Russia." Many are accompanied by children -- there are a lot of 5-6-year-old kids on the streets, also waving Georgian flags.

The Russian checkpoints are still in place -- there's been no change whatsoever.

The human chain is supposed to reach the Seventh Kilometer, the place where one of the two Russian checkpoints is set up. I'll be present throughout the demonstration, and will report back all the details.

9:30 p.m. local time (5:30 p.m. GMT)

I found out that the Russian soldiers, stationed at the Seventh Kilometer checkpoint, were digging ditches around the checkpoint today, and it is now fenced off. Turns out an excavator was working for most part of the day, and the ditches -- as well as the trenches -- were significantly deepened. Three armored vehicles are stationed in these ditches. The soldiers have Sputnik portable antennas with them, which suggests they are watching television.

A lot of people went to Poti's Cathedral Church today, to attend the service. These days, the priests who deliver sermons there are mostly calling for patience and strength. During Soviet times, the church building was allocated to a theater, and it was only several years ago that it regained its original function, having been returned to the church.

It rained here, so the weather has cooled off. I passed by the port on the way home. The sea was calm. I hope the thunder and lightning do not continue for too long, as this is not the most pleasant sound for Poti residents right now. Almost everyone is still frightened, and thinks the sound is Russian helicopters.

6 p.m. local time (2 p.m. GMT)

Irakli Gvaladze, the minister for environmental protection, came to Poti today. Environmental pollution has become one of the most pressing issues here. The sinking of Georgian ships and boats by the Russians has polluted the harbor. The full extent of the pollution is yet to be assessed. According to preliminary observations, the authorities suspect that up to 50 tons of oil has leaked into the sea.

But this isn't the only environmental damage that has been inflicted recently. During his visit, Gvaladze also said that the local foresters had notified the ministry that Russian soldiers are engaged in illegal logging, destroying large amounts of trees. There are rare tree species in the forest reserves here, Kolkhian oak among them, and the Russians are cutting them down.

What's more, the minister said the Russians are also poaching fish, targeting the rare species of Kolkhian sturgeon that live at the mouth of the Rioni River. According to Gvaladze, inspectors from the Environmental Protection Agency say that the Russians use special, long fishing nets to catch the fish illegally.

2:30 p.m. local time (10:30 a.m. GMT)

As I was walking along the street, I bumped into a very good friend of mine. Konstantine Gergaulov is one of the most colorful personalities I know. A graduate of two universities, he works as a street sweeper during the day, and spends nights surfing the Internet. He seemed very sad and worried today -- he complained of people being so scared that sometimes they would not even greet each other. The Russian forces should leave immediately, he said. Konstantine admitted he was scared too -- more than anything else, he was afraid of the possibility that this could be the start of World War III.

The Poti municipality building was open today, with flags hanging over the street. It was quiet there, in contrast to two days ago, when the area was full of people who had come here to greet the president and call for the withdrawal of the Russian forces. I chatted a bit with one of the members of the municipal guard. He said the Russian checkpoints - with their tents, trenches, and hardware -- remain firmly in place, and no one dares to approach them, everyone's afraid. But even from afar, the guard said, it was possible to see the soldiers bathing in the Rioni River. This does not sound like anyone is getting ready to pull out.

9:45 a.m. local time (5:45 a.m. GMT)

I took a taxi to work again, this time a blue one. Chatted with the driver on the way. Obviously, the Russian occupation was the main topic we discussed. The driver, Gocha Togonidze, told me he stayed in Poti throughout the bombing.

We also discussed more recent events. Gocha thinks President Saakashvili's visit to Poti was an "act of heroism." Several people have said the same thing actually, that in the presence of the Russian troops, Saakashvili displayed real bravery by coming here. Personally, I think these kinds of statements are rather exaggerated, but I guess when the general atmosphere is as tense as it is now, we all tend to overdramatize things.

I kept looking out the car window on the way, hoping to see familiar faces on the streets. I did see a couple of people I know, and this made me very happy, for this is a sign that more and more people are coming back to town. As I was about to enter the office, I saw two cows eating grass on the sidewalk of the main street by some strange and funny coincidence, they were standing right underneath the stop sign. The cows are among the few and fortunate Poti inhabitants who are not worried about political developments....

10 p.m. local time (6 p.m. GMT)

Even though it's a Saturday, the cafes and restaurants are deserted. People still meet -- everyone wants to talk -- but they meet each other at their houses and flats.

On the way back home, I had a conversation with a taxi driver. He says that, like most of his colleagues, he doesn't have enough work. He says he only recently purchased the car and if the current situation continues, he doesn't think he'll be able to make the payments. 

When I got home, my neighbors were sitting outside in the courtyard fanning themselves with eucalyptus branches to keep off the heat and keep away the mosquitoes. They're talking about the only thing that people talk about these days -- the Russians -- and knowing I'm a journalist, they quiz me, asking about Saakashvili's visit yesterday.

Today has been busy. I meant to visit my parents and family, but just didn't have the time.