Blog, October 9^th, 2014

Hello, My Faithful Readers:

I have posted two photographs at the bottom on the blog.The first is of the “Churchkhela” that I wrote about within the blog. This setup is on 2nd floor landing where the bedrooms are. Walnut cover the ground! The second is the road I walk to get to my house. I live where the road ends...you can see the end of road and from that point on its all dirt and rocks. I could not do a selfie, so I placed my backpack on the right hand side of the photo. My house is a ten minute walk from this point! 

I have heat! My host family has given me a small space heater to use while I wait for the heating system that (I’m told) will be installed in my room. The heater is OK. It keeps the room around 68-70F, but since you can see daylight through all the windows and doors I still need to wear lots of layers. The rest of the house is cold, so I feel very fortunate that I can be somewhat comfortable. I don’t know when they will place the “pechi” in the common room on the 1^st floor (kinda like a living room – but the room the family lives out of during the winter). It has been raining A LOT so it has been damp and raw. The temperature outside has been in the high 50’s and low 60’s. Concerned about when it gets down below zero. We are all waiting for the sun to re-appear. It has been so overcast, rainy, cold and raw. Hopefully, it will be a little warmer when we can see the sun again!

The school heating will be another story. Although there are heating units attached to the walls in the school, most times no one closes outside doors so cold air is always pushing into the school. The children just run in and out (before, during and after classes) so even when I close the doors they don’t stay closed for long.  I have had to stop children from poking pens and other things into the heating units. Many units don’t have the top cover on it. Many of the windows either don’t close or are not fitted correctly, so even though the windows close cold air seeps in. This is going to be a challenge. The sage continues……..

I wanted to share the below link about one of the special places here in Georgia (Svanetia). I’ve not been; however, it is on my list. I’ve always had a special interest in the Middle Ages as I think at times (and in some circumstances) we are still living in the Middle Ages. Hope you enjoy!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svaneti

A wonderful article in National Geographic.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2014/10/svanetia/larmer-text

A couple of interesting encounters here in Georgia…

Recently, I was in Tbilisi for a meeting of the NESC (National English Spelling Competition). I got to the location early, so I picked up a “Schwarma”  (sp?) and sat outside to watch the comings and goings. I rarely get to do that as I am usually on such a tight schedule. In any event, as I was sitting and enjoying both the food and the happenings a man came to sit by me on the bench. He started a conversation. He was Russian but has been living in New York (Brooklyn). He was well dressed and well spoken, so I didn’t have my “alert” on.  As the conversation continued he started talking about how he was robbed and that everything he had was taken. Ok, now I get it. I was a “mark” for money. I said I could not help him, wished him well and good luck and took my sandwich and moved to another bench. Well, he followed me and continued talking about his being robbed. Again, I said I could not help him and moved. Once again, he followed me but this time he told me that “my heart was so cold” and that “I would not be rewarded for not helping him.” At this point, I was looking for a policeman or was going to go into the building for my meeting. He was very persistent. There are so many beggars here in Georgia. I noted that most of the time I witness people, especially on the metro, give the people money.  I think they think that everyone should.  He finally walked away and didn’t come back, I was very happy about that.

There is this one woman I see on the METRO who is carrying a baby, maybe 3 months old. I have seen her maybe a half dozen times and every time I’ve seen her I have not seen this baby move, cry, fuss in any way. The baby is always in the same position. I started to think that the baby is really a doll. A life like doll, but I am starting to think that it is not a real baby. I am uncertain as I hate to think in those terms, but babies just don’t sit that still, especially with all the noise on the metro. That child never moved a muscle.

Another adventure I’d like to share; however, before I start I wanted you to know that everything worked out ok. Although I did get hurt, I’ve met with the doctors had more rabies shots and I am fine….so here is my experience…(one I don’t want to repeat).

Recently I was walking down the mountain to meet my language tutor for our 8:30am meeting. On the way I noted that the bakery (of sorts) was open and that newly baked bread was ready. It always smells so delicious. So, I stopped and picked up a couple of loaves for my tutor and her family. When I buy food I usually place the food in my backpack; however, this time I had the bread wrapped in newspaper (that is how they do it here), placed the bread under my arm and off I went. As I approached the bazaar area I noted that there were, as usual, many people (men) who were getting their outdoor stands ready (fruits and vegetables). When suddenly a bunch of dogs came out of nowhere and ran towards me. For some reason I didn’t think initially there were after the bread. I thought they were after me. I started to scream. The dogs were jumping up on me and I was screaming. One dog, I thought he was going for my face, bit me on the leg as I moved my arm up to protect my face. I was still screaming. Now, all this felt like it was happening for minutes but I know it was only seconds. I think my screaming finally stopped the dogs as they ran away. There were maybe 5 or 6 dogs. It all happened so fast. One dog did manage to draw blood. My pants were ripped. I stood in the same spot unable to move at first. I could not believe what had just happened.

When the dogs left I looked around at all the men who were standing watching this unfold. Not one man came to help me. It took all my restraint and remembering that I am a PC volunteer to not scream at these men “WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?”  They just looked at me. I am continually told that Georgia is a country that has tremendous hospitality; however, there was nothing hospitable about their actions (or in-actions) towards a woman who was being surrounded by a pack of dogs. I was stunned at their behavior and I am still shaking my head.

The Peace Corps doctors had me make a trip into Tbilisi so that I could start the booster rabies shots. I’ve had three shots since I arrived in Georgia; and as a result of the dog bite I had to have two more. One shot on day “0” – the day of the bite and then another shot on day “3”. The bite is not infected and according to the doctors is looks good. The area around the bite is all back and blue and I have medicine for that. I am not in any pain as the bite was not deep.

I was told that the Mayor of Sagarejo was called to report what happened to me. I don’t expect anything to be done. It seems to me that these conditions are normal here, which is a very sad state of affairs. I had to laugh at the PC doctors as they wanted me to identify the dog. Are you kidding? There are so many dogs and they are all in such bad shape. They wanted to isolate the dog to watch it. I don’t blame the dogs as they are treated horribly here in Georgia. They are starving and mis-treated. You can see their ribs and like I said most of them limp because they get hit with cars. Hungry dogs are dangerous and a safety and security issue.

I do plan to get some kind of protection. Not sure what as I need to speak to the PC safety and security officer. I’m told there is some kind of device that they have given out, so I want to investigate that.  But, I am also told that sometimes the device works and sometimes it does not. If I want to stay here I will need to figure out how to deal with these dogs as they are not going away.

The bottom line is that I am fine. It could have been a lot worse so I am grateful for that. Between my fall and now the dogs I think that someone is looking out for me somewhere in the universe so that I can finish my service here in Georgia for the full term of 27 months.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churchkhela

On a lighter note, my family has been making “Churchkhela”. I’ve copied the Wikipedia link for more information about Churchkhela.  This candy looks like a sausage and after it is made it is hung out in the sun. My host grandmother spent hours and hours (with needle and thread) putting the walnuts on the thread. I didn’t see what she did after that; but, the end product is very sweet. I do try and be polite and eat a little, but I really don’t like it. I will post a picture at the end of the blog so you can see the Churchkhela hung out on the landing outside my bedroom.

Being here in Georgia has certainly made me appreciate all the benefits I’ve had living in America. I say that because so many of the women that I’ve met who are my age or younger seem so much older. Many are hunched over and you can see on their faces that they have had a hard life. In comparison, my life has been easy. I’ve had the benefit of consistent health care and preventive health care. I’ve had the luxury of indoor plumbing and heating and also a diet (when I follow-it) that is full of variety and nutrition. It is a hard life here and I am sure it was probably harder for these women in previous years.

Back to the weight loss….wow, I am still overwhelmed by the amount of weight I’ve lost and I am not even trying. I don’t think about food a lot (not as much as I thought about it in the states).  I just realized the other day when I went into Tbilisi to see the doctors that from my house in Sagarejo to the PC office in Tbilisi, it takes me a little over 2-hours (each way).  It takes me twenty minutes, or so, to come down the mountain to get to the Marsh hub in Sagarejo. The marsh never leaves as soon as I get there, so that coupled with it takes 45 minutes (depending on Traffic) to get into Tbilisi. At that point I need to take (2) subway lines and then walk about four blocks to the PC office. Whew…..That amount of time is equal to going to NYC from my home city, so I can completely understand why I am tired when I get back from Tbilisi. I also live on the second floor here in Sagarejo. Back home in the states I didn’t have steps to contend with (just elevators). However, here in Sagarejo I must walk up and down the steps (I am guessing) maybe a dozen times a day (could be more). Everything (food, bathroom, people, etc) is on the 1^st floor. So, add that exercise into the mix. It never fails that when I get downstairs I always remember something that I needed on the 2^nd floor. I really miss not having everything on one floor.

The PC office as a FREE box that PCV deposit old clothes or things they don’t need any more. Yours truly has scoured the box and found a lot of good stuff (that fits my new body).  Clothes here in Georgia are very expensive, so until my weight loss stabilizes; I will use the FREE box or lots of safety pins J.

I’ve noticed that the Georgian people (at least those that I’ve come in contact with) don’t get the concept of “doing the least effort for the most benefit.” I think economies of scale may also fit into this. They make three of four trips (back and forth) to get something when they could have gotten everything at one time. Back and forth, back and forth – it drives me crazy. I had to change the position of my chair on the porch as all this back and forth was in front of the chair I usually sit on. They pick something up, then put it down…and then go back and pick something else up (that was right next to the first thing) and then put it down. This goes on endlessly. I don’t understand why?  I’ve also noticed this in the school with the teachers.  They go back and forth in the same way to get a pencil. Then go back for paper. Then go back for the something else when all these things are in the same place and could have been taken all at the same time and made one trip. As I said, this drives me crazyJ

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-behavioral-economics.htm

Buy Experience, NOT THINGS.

 I just love this mantra and when I really think about it I believe my life (or parts of it) have revolved around this thinking. I know that behavioral economics is not a new concept but it was really helpful to me to read about it. Just thought I’d throw that in!

I’ve noticed that my host family keeps a gas burner lit most of the time when they are home, sometimes two burners. I am sure it does a little to keep the kitchen warm; however, I’ve always been lead to believe that it is so dangerous to have a burner lit (especially when everyone is in the other room). The first time I noticed it I was taken back but then realized this is just another thing that they do here.  The Peace Corps gave all volunteers a CO2 and smoke detector that they insist we check weekly to insure its working status. I imagine they know what they are doing, especially with (as evidenced above) all the methods the Georgian people use to keep warm. This will be an interesting winter.

I will write more next time about my teaching schedule as it has changed.  This is so challenging for me; that is, not knowing what I am doing. I don’t know until the day before what grades I will be teaching. I keep telling the teachers that this makes it impossible to plan; however, most times the syllabus is usually to just follow the text outline in the book. (which BTW is so boring (the text). I also cannot begin to schedule any of the after school programs that I’ve been asked to do as I have no idea when my classes end. So far, I have been asked to start a reading club for the 4^th grade, an English club for the school and to organize adult education classes in English. I really don’t know the best ways to accomplish this as I am told the Georgian people lose interest in clubs after about 4-weeks….so, we shall see how this unfolds.

Ok, I will close for now and again thank you for sharing this crazy roller coaster ride with me. I am up and down and all over the place. I am constantly trying to figure out ways to deal with all that is being thrown at me. Stay tuned! J

Best, Catherine Lawrence, G14- 10/9/14

Volunteer – Peace Corps Georgia

Teacher - მასწავლებელი  (Mast’savlebeli)

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