Blog post – May 6, 2014

I’ve arrived at my host family on Saturday. My family consists of:

Host Father – Koba (49)

Host Grandmother – Shushana (84)

Host Brother- Giorgi (11)

Host Sister –Maia (14)

Dog: Max (age unknown)

I could write for hours, and I have been journaling since I have no on-line connection. A few people have wifi here in the village, but not many.  I will try and write as often as I can connect.

The village is called Osiauri and it is East of Khashuri (in the central part of Georgia).  The town is very poor. The road or streets are dirt with rocks, big and small, pushed into the dirt.  Gas lines are above ground and they snake around the town up and over and around. The kids call the gas lines “air”.  It is so hard walking. I cannot look up as I know I could trip and really get hurt.  

The town is small. I don’t know how many people, but I live at one end and the school (where I study Georgian) is somewhere in the middle. It takes me about 20 minutes to walk to school. There are a couple of stores, one small and one big (and big is a relative term as if you got 5 people in the store it would be crowded. I don’t know what to talk about first….so, I am getting ready to take a shower. The family showers every 3^rd day. However, they say they have lots of water for me – but, I want to follow the house, so today is my 3^rd day. Of courses in-between you can sponge bath. I have an indoor toilet, sink and shower. The shower has a drain in the floor and the water ends up covering the entire floor when showering. The drain cannot handle all the water. If someone forgets and leaves the toilet paper on the floor, well you get the idea.  The other volunteers in the village have “out houses”, so I am very fortunate. However, when I go to their houses I use the “out house” What a joy that is; but it is doable. I have taken to wearing skirts as its easier to manage the outdoor plumbing. We carry toilet paper and wet wipes and often there is no water to wash. We are adjusting and coping with living in a very rural village. There are cows on the road (like India) – so its familiar.

The people are so friendly and welcoming. They are always pushing food at you. I have had so many great foods, but I cannot say the names. Potatoes, salad, cheese, bread, cheese and bread are just a sample of what is served. I hope the walking counters the food, as I was really counting on losing weight.

I am here with five other PC volunteers, we are called a cluster. We do lots of things together. We study as a group with our instructor and LCF (language and culture facilitator - her name is Ana). She lives here in the village with us and acts as our guide and cultural guide source, as well as language teacher.

Honestly, I am struggling. If not for Advil I would be in trouble. I should have trained better (I should have listened to my son); but I do manage to keep up.  My cluster consists of a married couple, two single women and a single guy and me. Six in all. They are between 20-30 years old. The language is also a challenge. I know I will eventually come to terms with it and reach the level that is needed; however, my group is much faster and has more background knowledge than me. I am a slow learner and they are all beyond me. I just don’t feel like I am carrying my weight in the group; but, as much frustration that I feel I don’t beat myself up about it. I’ve asked to be put in a slower group, so we shall see.

My room is lovely and I have a lock on the door (PC policy). I feel safe here.

My Host family is terrific. I have the entire 2^nd floor (they all live on the 1^st floor). What I find missing in Georgia is comfortable chairs…and yet I found one in my living room on the 2^nd floor. I don’t have much time to enjoy it as I am out the door at 8:30 am and usually I get back between 6:00pm and 7:00pm.  It’s a very ambitious schedule. My host father tends cows. I have not yet been in the cow shed, but very near I know there is manure. My host grandmother tends the house and the children, Maia and Giorgi are in school. All have treated me in such a gracious and inclusive way

I will fill in more details as time goes forward, but for now wanted to give some broad strokes.  I am really challenged and I know it is the beginning. I have a great support system and will use it to help me manage .

I miss America and all the ease that I had; but I am so glad to be retired and having this experience. More Later….

Catherine Lawrence, G14 – 5/6/14

Note:  The contents of this blog are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps.