Blog, June 8^th, 2014:

Hello My Faithful Readers:

If it seems like I am counting the weeks, then you are absolutely correct. Today ends week (6) and onto week (7) – the half way mark (or thereabout) of PST (Pre-Service Training). The days feel even longer (if that is even possible) and the work gets harder; as I still have no relief with the language and the only older adult contact I have is on email or phone (and that is sparse as everyone is as busy as I am). The language has been an on-going issue from day one. It moves to fast for me and as time goes forward it just keeps getting worse. The material builds on the previous day’s work; and when you really don’t understand the previous day’s work; well, it has been very painful for me. I hold onto the fact that PST will be over in 6-weeks (or so) and once at my permanent site I won’t have the same kind of schedule as I have at present. There will be more time to arrange for a tutor to really begin realistic language training. I will also not be part of the cluster of five other volunteers who are all younger than my son. It will be a relief to be on my own.

Hopefully, once at my permanent site I will be able to connect with my community and older volunteers on an on-going basis. This is something that is missing during PST. I feel like a boarder with my host family. I see the family when I come for breakfast and for dinner or tea after a ten hour day (sometimes longer). I am exhausted when I arrive home and then have to face homework, lesson planning and getting ready for the next day. I’m told all of this will pass, but its surviving the “in the mean time.”

I’ve heard that we are going to have a simulation (or practice) of the evacuation plan.  The schedule is all very hush-hush as we can’t know when it is going to happen. There are four (maybe 5 steps) to the Evacuation plan. The first is “ALERT” where we are told that there is a situation PC is monitoring and we need to be aware that a potential problem may exist. We were notified of the ALERT last Saturday, so the process has begun. The next stage is “STANDFAST” where we are told that an emergency situation does exist; but for the moment to stay put and make sure that the “Go Bag” is ready. CONSOLIDATION is where all the volunteers meet at a pre-arranged place to be ready for the EVACUATION stage. Even though this is simulated, we have to prepare and implement the plan as if it was real. It is a good practice, I think so that we are prepared and know what to do.

When I was out WEST in Georgia I noticed there were palm tree all over the village (Bakhvi). I asked if they were native to the area and was told they were. I also wondered how they survived in winter. Bakhvi does have cold winters with snow. Also out WEST there were a few cars that had the steering wheel on the right side of the car, British Style. I also found this of interest as I didn’t expect to see it. One more thing (about out WEST) that I wanted to share.  The host family that I stayed with had an orchard of Hazelnut trees. So many trees, and I didn’t know that Hazelnuts grow on trees. The nuts are picked by hand, as each nut has a green leaf attached which needs to be removed. The family has so many trees that they have to hire staff to come in to do the picking. This is done in August. I’ve had Hazelnuts here in Georgia and just love them.

There is no dating culture here in Georgia (to speak of). It is a very modest country and there are very few if any outward signs of affection in public. I wondered how the teenagers deal with this situation. I was given a real life story about a friend (of a friend) whose daughter, at 18, ran away with her boyfriend or maybe just a boy that she knew as dating is not really encouraged. Once that is done the couple, even though they are not married they, for all intents and purposes, are bound together and will marry at some point. I was told that lots of young people handle things this way. It is upsetting for the families as usually there is no advanced notice. The kids just make a decision and then let the families know after they have left together. Eventually families come back together but there is a lot of stress associated with the reunion of your newly married children. I wonder how the television shows and popular music have impacted Georgian society, especially for the young people.   Some of the music and MTV related shows have made their way into singing and dancing in the schools. I’ve not heard it but I’ve been today there is something called “The Rape Song” that is played on Georgian television programming very often. The soap operas deal with abortion and infidelity (among other things). I’ve seen their version of “Dancing with the Stars” and the outfits and the routines are very scanty and suggestive. The teenage girls in school copy the suggestive dance routines of some MTV videos. In a country that is so modest that tampons are frowned upon (and hard to buy, if at all) I wonder how these new, or fairly new, visuals will change their way of living. I had a good laugh recently about all the condoms that were part of my medical kit. Ah, you can really tell that the PC is a young person’s adventure because as an older volunteer I need Ben Gay and Advil, but instead I get condoms. It all still makes me smile.

Update – I received my final rabies shot and the continuation of the Hepatitis shots. I will be glad when this is over. Also, we signed all the paperwork for our bank account with the Bank of Georgia. Not sure when we receive our bank cards but it sure will be great to have a bank card. The PC gives us our allowance in cash (GEL – the Georgian currency).

I noticed during my travels on the Marshrutka that people don’t use luggage. Most people carry items in plastic bags that are so thin (you can almost see through them) and that your finger could poke a hole in it very easily. Most people have multiple plastic bags that they are carrying. I wonder why whatever is inside the bag does not just drop out. Also, the plastic bags are all different bright colors.  Another topic is brooms. Georgians use brooms that are maybe 3 feet tall. What this means is that you are bending over while you sweep. The brooms are everywhere and yet no one has ever thought to make the broom taller so that you don’t have to bend over? When I get finished sweeping I have a back ache that won’t quit. We have asked people this question as to why don’t you make the brooms taller but no one has an answer. It is like they never thought about it. Ah, my faithful readers, I bet you are wondering why I am having such “deep thoughts” about brooms and plastic bags. J

Sugar is another topic here in Georgia. I have watched in horror at the amount of sugar used in tea or coffee. At least (3) heaping spoons of sugar. I still use my sweet and low (as long as it lasts) and I know people who look at me in horror as I add my sweet and low; but, I still use it also. All the doorways in the house have full length (floor to ceiling) curtains on them. It seems that once the room is not in use the curtain gets pulled so that you can see into the room; but, the sheer curtain is a barrier of sorts. It is a lovely visual.

Next week at one of our technical session we are going to have a lecture on “Soviet Legacy.” That should be interesting as this country was (and still is in some areas) connected to Russia. There was more rain on Saturday. I asked if this amount of rain was usual and was told that no, the amount is not usual. In addition to the rain, we had hail. My host father ran out of the house while it was hailing and was trying to cover the car windshield with blankets. I guess this is not the first time. It was really intense. Which brought to mind that many of the “Marsh’s” I rode in had a crack in their windshield. I thought it was a result of the road conditions, but maybe hail? While on the “Marsh” topic, (you will hear a LOT about the Marshrutka’s while I am here). In Tbilisi there is an aerial tramway that most people call “The Rope Marshrutka.” I just loved that phrase when I heard it. I plan to ride the “The Rope Marshrutka” when I finally get to Tbilisi. I hear it is truly an American City and that they have the BIGGEST Wendy’s in the world – what a distinction that is J.

Next week is the last week of school here in Georgia. Because the schools were closed for a couple of weeks recently we (PC volunteers) are teaching next week. Ordinarily we would not have been, but we need the practice (or so they tell us).  The teachers really don’t anticipate many of the students coming to class, so we need to think about some games for the students to play. The last week of school is usually light no matter what country you are in, so we shall see how it goes.

All is well in Georgia. Only Persistence is Omnipotent. Six weeks (or so) to permanent site. Hanging in. 

Catherine, G14

Power just went out due to the storm. So much water; my friend MUD will be here soon!

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