Blog, November 30^th, 2014

Hello, My Faithful Readers:

The three photographs posted at the bottom of the blog – The first, is of course, me at Bazalti Lake. It was so cold but so beautiful. The second is the first snow here in Sagarejo. It snowed for an entire day but not much accumulation. And the bonus photo J  - Thanksgiving Dinner here in Georgia! What a wonderful day.

Here we are at the end of November. I know that I keep saying this but it is just so hard to comprehend that I am now here in Georgia for (7) months. This is my last month of the twenties….that is, (27 month commitment). Next month will begin the start of the teens (19). The time seems to be moving faster and I am not sure why that is? Maybe because some things are more familiar now than when I first arrived?  

I had a wonderful time at the Bazalti Lake Hotel recently www.bazaletilake.ge. The (4) day conference held at the hotel was called “All Vol” which meant that ALL Peace Corps Volunteers were in attendance. It was so great to meet so many people that I only knew by name or on Facebook.  In addition many Peace Corps staff attended the conference and the US Ambassador to Georgia and his wife attended the Thanksgiving feast that was held on the final evening. Overall, there was so much food that most days I ended up with a stomach ache as my stomach is just not used to having so much food in it. I kept saying that I was not going to eat; but, that was a lie. There was variety of foods (which is something that does not happen here on a daily basis) that I could not resist.

 I don’t know where to begin, so I’ll begin at the beginning.

The conference started with my taking the language test. The test is a verbal question and answer (one-on-one) with one of the language teachers. We spoke for maybe twenty minutes (it felt longer). The language teacher asked a variety of questions (in Georgian) and of course, I had to answer (in Georgian). I very often understand what someone is asking (in Georgian); however, my vocabulary is limited and most times I get it all jumbled so it comes out wrong. I don’t have a lot of experience speaking in sentences as most folks here want me to speak English with them. They want to practice their English and I want to practice my Georgian. It is a balancing act for sure.  

Test results: I was not surprised to find out that I did not make the required language level (Intermediate Low). I did my best on the test but I am still struggling with the language. Presently, my level is (novice medium) so I still have two levels to achieve before I make the required level. I will continue to work with my tutor and take the test again in early March, 2015. A piece of good news is that my tutor was able to obtain for me the language books that the children use in the 1^st and 2^nd grade. I know this will help me build a stronger foundation and also to begin to put the language together so that I can speak in full sentences. J

It was snowing here on Monday, 11/2414 – so, it is time to really get ready for winter! I’ve listed below some ideas to help us stay warm this winter. Also, my host family has secured a heavy duty heating system for the second floor (where the bedrooms are). . It is powered by gas so it has to be vented out the window. I am told this is a very powerful system. I will still use my space heater but the new gas heater will help keep the chill off the bedrooms. I think I will need to keep my bedroom door open so that the heat makes its way to me.  Ok, that sounds good to me. Stay Tuned! In the meantime, I have uncovered some ideas that can also help.

http://www.realfarmacy.com/how-to-heat-your-room-for-15-cents-a-day/

The above link was given at the conference. I have not tried it yet; but it is a video of something called a “Candle Furness.” I need to go buy the materials. I am told that the setup lasts for (4) hours and it does a nice job heating up the room. I will keep you posted as to how it helps me keep the room warm.

Another item was something called “Hot Hands” – body and hand warmer that lasts up to 18 hours. A friend gave me a couple to try out (I’ll let you know). I’m told that if you put the hand warmer in bed with you it does marvelous to keep you warm.  The hot water bottle will also make a return to my list of items to help me keep warm. It will serve two purposes: the first is that it will be in bed with me as I sleep (to keep warm) and then in the morning I will have tepid water in order to wash face and hands and brush teeth. It will sure beat the ICE COLD water in the morning (as at times the hot water heater does not kick on). There are days when I just cannot wash my face and hands. I use those wet wipe things but they are a poor substitute. The water is just SO COLD – numbing. I can already see my breath in the bathroom.

Finally, rubber gloves or the gloves the doctor uses to give you shots or examine you. Using the gloves won’t warm your hands; however, your hands will be dry. A friend showed me pictures of her hands last year from being in the cold water. Looked like welts on her hands. It was just awful. I need to connect with the doctor to get some (and soon!). Also, I’m told I should get a pair of “kitchen rubber gloves” that are more heavy duty than the gloves used by the doctors. There is a supermarket here called “Goodwill” that carries the gloves.

I have listed a couple of links you may enjoy viewing. These are the PSA (public service announcements) by Presidents Kennedy and Obama. They are the only two Presidents that have made PSA’s for the Peace Corps.

 President John F. Kennedy Peace Corps Public Service Message 

President Obama Encourages Americans to Serve as Peace Corps Volunteers.

I’ve listed this link to a TED talk that you may find interesting. The talk focuses on the 8 Secrets to Success and I think it is a real hoot! I am working with my counter-part teachers to see if we can develop a lesson plan/syllabus around this talk. I know it will take away from the time needed to get through the required textbook; however, I think the students may welcome a change (as well as some new food for thought) during class time. Stay Tuned! 

http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_st_john_s_8_secrets_of_success?language=en

Below is some information on a very important holiday here in Georgia. The paragraph explains better than I can (plus lots of links) if you want additional information. This year the holiday fell on Sunday so we didn’t have the day off from school.
15_Issue#8_EloungeUserGuide.p

Language and Cross Culture

 St. George’s day was November 23. Georgians call St George's day გიორგობა. It's a very important holiday for Georgians celebrated every year on 23 November. People go to church, gather in families, and have Georgian supras.  Even the country name “Georgia” is related to St. George. The French chronicler Jacques de Vitry and the English traveler Sir John Mandeville wrote that Georgians are called “Georgian” because they especially revere Saint George. Notably, in January 2004 the country adopted the five-cross flag, featuring the Saint George's Cross. The monument on Tbilisi Freedom Square symbolizes the importance of the Saint George in the Georgian culture.  Saint George was a Roman soldier and priest in the Guard ofDiocletian. He is immortalized in the tale of Saint George and the Dragon. The episode of St George and the Dragon was a legend brought back with theCrusaders and retold with the courtly appurtenances belonging to the genre of Romance. There are more than 400 churches and chapels named after St. George all over Georgia. According to the legend after St. George’s death the God scattered the parts of his body all over the country; on each place of the holy parts chapels and churches were arisen. გიორგობა/Giorgoba has been celebrated under various names in different regions of Georgia; for example, in Kartli as Geristoba, Usanetoba; in Kakheti as Alaverdoba, Tetri Giorgoba; in Samegrelo as Iloroba; in the mountain regions of East Georgia as Lasharoba, Lomisoba, etc.   

Some “Useless” information you will never use: “SWIMS” is the longest English word that you can read up-side-down. Try it! J

So much of my life here revolves around school and the classroom; so, I want to keep you updated as to happenings of all kinds. First, I must tell you how I am in “Awe” of my counter-part teacher. I watch her every day give so much of herself to the students. At the end of the day she is just exhausted and depleted and I know why.  She continues to teach as students are sleeping; talking, laughing, hitting each other, coming and going in the classroom,  using their hand-held devices and just overall not paying attention. As I said previously there are some students who are in the room to learn; but they are in the minority. This is a new world for me as I am not a traditional classroom teacher. As a Reading Specialist I work with children/adults/families that really want to learn; so, what my counter-part experiences on a daily basis is foreign to me.

I continue to look for ways to make a difference in the face of all these classroom antics. I have been told by many folks here that conditions are better now than they were, say five years ago. I must continually keep in mind that this is a developing country and not set my standards to what has been my experience with teaching.  I must focus on what we have here in Georgia rather than what is missing. That is hard to do but I am slowly learning. I feel that I am gaining in baby-steps “patience”.  

 I have also been told that my impact or making a difference here in Georgia may never be seen by me. You see, I am an “Accomplishment Junkie” so this is so hard. I want to see my actions making a difference; and yet, that may not come about. I wrote to a friend recently that it is like “acting on faith.” What I mean by that is my “way of being” here in Georgia as both a Peace Corps Volunteer and Ambassador for America may be felt here in Georgia long after I am home in the USA. I must put my frustrations and judgments aside and share myself and my abilities across the board without trying to see what I’ve accomplished. The Georgian people may take some, all or none of what I want to share with them; however, I will know that I gave my very best,  I am starting to really “get” that it is not about me – pretty good for an old broad to finally come to grips what that old chestnut. J. Life is always a work in progress.

The Peace Corps talks about something called the Peace Corps Experience. That is, seeking a profound encounter with a foreign culture and a series of experiences that change you. You expect to be challenged, to have your patience and your mettle tested, to be pulled, pushed and otherwise forced into new ways of thinking and behaving.  All of this has happened to me and yet I feel that I am only at the very start of this roller-coaster ride.  I only have my little toe in the waters of this experience. I feel very fortunate as I’ve read that this experience is available in varying degrees in every Peace Corps country – some have it, but many do not.  After seven months I think the experience of all this is seeping into my bones. I will continue to expand on this as time goes forward.  I would not trade this PC experience for anything in the world; and I must tell you, that I will continue to complain! It is just part of being human! J

I just heard that the books I requested (twenty-five) pounds of books have been shipped by a volunteer organization in the US. It could take 3-weeks or 3-months to reach us here in Georgia; but, they are on their way. I know this will be a welcomed addition to the library at the school. I am looking for other resources to order more books. Also, I am starting to read up on how to apply for grants for the school. I’ve met with the Director and Teachers and have a list (wish-list) of items. We have given priority to computer, projector, A/V equipment, maps, books and hopefully some new furniture for the English Room.

I continue to work with the 4^th graders on their Reading. Now, this is where my heart is. Sometimes I have seven students and sometimes I have one student; however, it does not matter how many students come – the reward is that “student(s) do come!” We meet on Mondays and Wednesdays after classes end for the 4^th grade @ 1:10 pm. We work for an hour.  I have configured the learning space into a circle rather than the traditional teacher in front of the classroom design. I am not calling it a “Reading Club” as for the most part we are not reading. I am calling it a “Circle.” Now, that fact has been a little confusing to the students and the teachers.

During the time I have worked with the 4^th graders I can see that they can read the words.  They can read the English words and translate it into Georgian (now that is something that I cannot do). However, what I am working to get across to the students is more about the reading skills that make readers “good readers.” That is, Predicting what the story is about; questioning the story and developing a sense of wonder as to what the story is telling us – basically to make meaning out of the story. There are many more skills to develop; but, I’ve started with the three I’ve mentioned. It is very challenging for me as my Georgian vocabulary and the student’s English vocabulary don’t align; but, we are working through it. These classes PUSH me into spending more time with the vocabulary I need to get my teaching across to the students. I’ve been told that possibly the 5^th graders may also attend the class and that is fine as from what I can initially see these reading skills are needed.  This is on-going!

I continue to take my weekly shower; however, recently (due to logistics) it was ten days in-between showers…Thank goodness for wet wipes. J.  Believe it or not with dry shampoo and wet wipes it is not that bad….let me tell you when the shower does become available it will be like finding gold! I will be a whole new woman!

I wanted to share some of my experience seeing snow here in Georgia for the first time. Now, of course, I’ve seen snow in the USA – but somehow it occurred differently for me here. Because of the location of our house on the mountain I see a vista of white on the mountain that reaches (it seems) to the sky. My surroundings are un-disturbed as there are no cars or buses and very few people to make imprints in the snow. As I sat on the porch looking at the garden I felt such a sense of quiet. Overhead all that remains of the grapes is the skeleton o f the vines waiting for spring and summer. Many of the plants have moved inside the house to protect them from the cold so the garden is sparse. It is cold but it does not feel bad as I can sit and watch this winter scene in comfort (of course with all my winter gear on). My host father brings the kettle out (leaking steam) as he needs to un-freeze the locks on his car. The chickens are running around looking for food under the snow. The sun is finally peaking through the clouds after a day of overcast and snow. The atmosphere is soft and gentle. There is no hustle and bustle here. I sometimes wonder how anyone gets anything done here as all I want to do is just soak in all these experiences!

I will be traveling over the New Year Holiday. My friend Sharon, a fellow former PCV, will be meeting me in Prague on 12/26/14. She will be flying from Pittsburgh and I will be flying from Tbilisi to Prague (via Istanbul). We will be on a cruise down the Danube River and arriving in Budapest on 1/3/15. We will then be staying in Budapest for (3) nights, arriving back in Tbilisi on 1/7/15. This is another dream for me. We will be in Vienna on New Year’s Eve and Day. So many wonderful parts of this trip and one being a Mozart Concert in Vienna!

http://www.amawaterways.com/newyears-cruises

Ok, My Faithful Readers…I could write and write and write. But, I will give you a rest J. Until next time – thank you for sharing this adventure with me!

All the Best,

Catherine Lawrence, G14 – 11/30/14

Peace Corps Volunteer/ Georgia

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

Blog, November 14^th, 2014

Hello, My Faithful Readers

I've posted two photographs at the bottom of the blog. The first is the bridge - I think it is called the "love bridge" and I have no idea why -  that spans the two sides of Sagarejo. The second is the space that divides Sagarejo. I live on the right hand side of the divide. The road you see (R hand side) is the road that I walk up in order to get home.  There is also a place where cars can cross (I didn't include).

I know I won’t blog, of course after this blog, until after Thanksgiving; so, I want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday. We, in the United States, have so much to be “Thankful” for. I have always known that fact; however, living here In Georgia has intensified just how many comforts we have (I had in the US) and how these comforts fit so seamlessly into our lives. Happy Thanksgiving!

Buy Experiences, NOT things!

Sorry if this is to 'soap box" - just love the thought and need to keep reminding myself!

Since Thanksgiving is not a holiday here in Georgia, I will be spending the day teaching. However, the week before I will be at a four day conference with the Peace Corps. The location is the Bazaleti Resort Lake Hotel. We all spent some time at this location during the past summer and what a treat that was. We had WATER and HOT WATER with REAL bathrooms J.  Also, the food was excellent. There were some Georgian type foods; but, lots of other choices. Food variety is something that does not really exist here in Georgia. Mostly it’s the same old, same old and often what is for lunch is usually what is for dinner  – but at the hotel the buffet had lots of variety. We will double and triple up in the rooms; but the rooms are heated and lovely with a BATHROOM close by.

http://www.bazaletilake.ge

At the conference I know we will have full days of working sessions on various topics (9am – 6pm) and I will also be tested to see if my language proficiency has moved up a level. We will have breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as two coffee breaks during the day. Ah, I cannot wait!!! We will also have a Thanksgiving feast. The PC will provide the “Turkey.” The volunteers have been accumulating other staples of the meal, either by having them sent from home, or bringing them in-country when we arrived back in April. In any event, there will be (86) volunteers and countless other staff, as well as the Ambassador and folks from the embassy will attend the dinner. I’m told that it is a REAL event; one that will always be remembered.

I’ve been home sick with a cold, or flu or bronchitis (sp?). I don’t know but I do know this entity had a grip on me. I still don’t feel 100%; but, I feel better than I did. The PC doctors are just great. When I finally stopped “doctoring” myself and called Dr. T. (Her name is too long to pronounce), I gave her a blow-by-blow of what was happening. Thankfully I didn’t have to go into Tbilisi to see her. I walked to the pharmacy here in Sagarejo and called Dr. T. and she in turn spoke to the pharmacist and all the medicine that I needed appeared. Dr. T said…”go home and go to bed for at least two days.” I didn’t argue. I took a taxi up the mountain and I think I just fell over when I reached my bedroom and my bed. I had to pay for the medicine; however, I took a picture of the receipt and emailed it to the PC. They will reimburse me for whatever I spent out of pocket for medicine or other related items I needed. I’ve gone through two boxes of tissues; I don’t know if that qualifies or not; however, for sure I am being well taken care of.

One of the interesting things around all this being at home sick is that I was totally alone here in the house. Everyone was either at work or school and the grandmother was in Tbilisi having some eye surgery. The doors are never locked and I wondered what would stop someone from coming into the house and taking the few items of value that they have (e.g., big screen TV or laptop computer).  I was sleeping so much I really didn’t spend that much time thinking about it; but as I started to feel better I wondered about it. Mostly everyone here on the road that we live on has closed up their houses for the winter. I guess I still have the “city” mentality. I really don’t think my family would ever consider the possibility that they would be robbed.

So it is GOOD news for me, My Faithful Readers! OpEdNews has published another article that I wrote and I could not be happier. I have always wanted to write and just could never find the words and/or what to write about. Now, it seems that I cannot stop the words from coming! The words just keep spilling out! J

I will be writing a series….and hope to do justice, in words, what I am experiencing here in Georgia. Stay tuned!

Your article titled Marshrutka: Getting Around in Georgia! Peace Corps Volunteer/Georgia

has been accepted and is now published on the OpEdNews website at:

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Marshrutka--Getting-Aroun-by-Catherine-Lawrence-Culture_Travel-141110-318.html

http://www.opednews.com/Series/My-life-as-a-Peace-Corps-V-by-Catherine-Lawrence-141012-160.html It also looks as though this is part of a series of articles you plan to write.

I’ve spoke about the transportation system in previous emails; but, I’ve not spoken so much about the “metro” in Tbilisi. Now, a metro is a metro is a metro, for sure. It is really the same no matter what city you go into. It is underground with lots of noise and people, people, people. The Tbilisi metro stations have a branch of the Bank of Georgia available (teller window and cash machine) in the area before you swipe your metro card to go down to the train platform. They also have a TTC (Tbilisi Transit Company) window and teller available if you need to refill your metro card. It is all very convenient. Some metro stops also have shopping available before you enter the entrance to the metro.  When you swipe your metro card the amount appears on the screen so that you know how much you have left on your card. Well, as I said a metro is a metro; you know what to expect; however, there is one metro stop that just “freaked” me out.

Tbilisi is expanding their metro system so in order to get to the very last metro stop “Vazha-Pshavela” you need to get off at the stop prior “Delisi” and change trains. Now I can understand that, no problem.  However, what comes next “freaked” me. As I got off the train at “Delisi” (along with many other folks who were also going to “Vazha-Pshavela”) was on left the station platform (I was heading West). It got very quiet. We were all just mulling around waiting and waiting. Voices seemed muffled and I for one didn’t have a clue as what was going to happen next.

I heard, very quietly, something coming down the track. I thought “if it’s the train it is on the wrong track.” It is on the track going East and I need to go West. Well, after a minute the train pulled into the station. It arrived so slowly and quietly and the train was totally empty of people. OMG, is this the train that will take me to “Vazha-Pshavela?”  The doors open and I thought I was in the middle of one of those horror or sci-fi movies that take people out of reality and into the “twilight zone.” Everyone got on and so did I. The doors closed very quickly and the train headed west (even though it was on the east track). It seemed like we were moving faster than I remembered from previous metro rides. It was an anxious few minutes for me. Finally, we arrived at the “Vazha-Pshavela” station. I guess that the West track has not yet been completed fully which is why we had to change to a different track. It was an experience for sure. I kept looking out the window watching for ghosts figures or maybe “Dorothy and Toto” to fly by as we traveled to the next station.  I’ve made the trip a couple of times since the first encounter and every time I feel like I am heading into parts unknown – “The Twilight Zone.”

Water, Water…ah, we have water off and on and sometimes we now have HOT water (water seems to be a lottery item). However, I’ve noticed something that maybe has been there all along but I’ve not paid attention. There is no water source on the second floor (where the bedrooms are); so, I need to carry water from the outside water source in 3ml containers up to my bedroom. I use the bottle over and over again and noticed sediment at the bottom of the bottle. No matter how many times I rinsed the bottle the sediment remained. I think it (sediment) got embedded into the plastic; so, I have to throw the bottle away and use a fresh one. I started to think about the possibility that the sediment was also going into the water I was drinking. Now, I do boil all the Georgian water that I use; but, maybe not all of it gets boiled out. I still use my water filter that the PC gave me; but, hoping that the sediment only looks gross and won’t impact my health…..ah, another challenge in Georgia!

I’ve  noticed how depressing the news (that gets reported) is listed on the various news sources (internet). I usually check the news once a day to keep up what is going on in the world and I usually end up shaking my head.  Maybe because it is such a struggle here for me every day (and I am sure it is going to get harder with time) that all that is reported (it seems) is sensational, if it bleeds it leads, headlines. This is just an observation from my place on the mountain!

I’ve also noticed also that there are very few, if any, street name signs posted here in Sagarejo and also Tbilisi. I’ve noticed this as more and more I want to get to specific places and the directions call for going on different streets; however, without the benefits of street signs I am usually left unsure how to proceed. I wonder if the signs ever existed or maybe someone took them down.  This is just more about life here in Georgia.

There are white cross walk symbols painted across many of the streets, both in Tbilisi and in Sagarejo; however, the drivers pay absolutely no attention to them.  There are no “stop” or “slow down” signs; let alone a stop light. Trying to cross a street here is almost a suicide wish as I believe that Georgian drivers would be more interested in getting where they were going rather than to stop a minute and let a pedestrian cross. It is almost like pedestrian’s inconvenience drivers by being in their way.

I often times buy my host family various items that I hope will make life more interesting and/or delicious – E.g., tea, peanut butter, chocolate etc. However, since I’ve been buying tissues by the truck load (due to my cold) I bought them a box of tissues also. Well, when I gave them the box of tissues they didn’t know what to do with it. They looked at the box and then looked at me. So, I ripped the top off and started the first tissue so the remainder of the tissues would pop up. They thought they were napkins. So, I pulled one and used it to blow my nose. Very interesting, I thought, that maybe they have never seen a box of tissues. I know they all have the small packets of tissues that we keep in our pockets or handbags; but come to think of it I have never seen boxes of tissues sold here in Sagarejo.

I was part of the leaf gathering team here at my home in Sagarejo. Because we live on a mountain and there are countless numbers of trees; well, that means that we have dead leafs everywhere. While gathering silly me thought we would put them in plastic bags for the trash men to pick-up. Ha, not going to happen. We piled then in the middle of the road and then set them on fire. Once done, everyone walked away but I was afraid with the flames were so high they would burn more than just the pile. I was the only one concerned because eventually the flames did die out and all that was left was the white ash of the burned leaves. This was a new experience for me and I am sure we will repeat this ritual many times before the season changes.

One of the wonderful things to do here is to watch the smoke that comes out of the “pechi” vent. Now you may think that would be mind numbing; however, let me assure you it is fascinating to watch.  Back home all of the fire place chimneys are on the roof, so you don’t get to see how the smoke comes out. Because the vent from the “pechi” is very near the porch I can sit and watch. We have had a couple of nice days so it has been pleasant to sit outside. As I was enjoying the sunshine I noticed the smoke. It comes out intermittently which really surprised me. I thought there would be a steady stream of smoke. When it does comes out it moves in whatever direction the wind is blowing; so, at times I am engulfed in smoke (while sitting on the porch) and at other times the smoke goes up, out or over. The smells are delicious. I don’t know what, if anything, they add to the “pechi” but, the aroma is kind-a like a pipe but better. I can hear my friends saying “this must be like watching paint dry” but, really it is not.

I’ve also noticed, while sitting watching the smoke, how BIG the chickens have gotten and also how beautiful the chickens are. Ok, I can hear you smiling out there saying “OMG, she has gone around the bend”; but, the feathers on the chickens are so beautiful. The colors are so rich and deep and most of the chickens have multiple layers of different colors throughout. A couple of chickens are pure white and some have black mixed in. I wondered how they stay white since they are also scrounging for food in the garden and on the road. Other chickens are beautiful shades of brown. I think about never having this experience of chicken watching if not for this Peace Corps Experience. I am loving this!!!

Thank you for taking the time to read about my adventures!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Best, Catherine Lawrence, G14 – 11/14/14

Peace Corps Volunteer/Georgia

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

Blog, November 2^nd, 2014

Hello, My Faithful Readers:

Georgia does not have Daylight Savings time, so I am now 9 Hours ahead of you (those on the east coast of America). I’ve attached two photographs which will show the “Pechi” both in the living room that serves as “home base” for the family during the winter and also the pipe venting out the smoke. The “Pechi” is awesome. It throws so much heat and I love to sit by it and watch the flames of the fire. It is almost like a fireplace.

The weather has really turned cold. The temperature indicated it was below freezing. In addition to the cold, there has been so much rain and heaven knows where the sun is.  The cold just goes right through me. My host father did setup the “Pechi” in the family room.  The “Pechi” is a wood burning stove that vents out the window. I thought maybe some of it (heat) would find its way to my room as my room is above the room with the “Pechi” but that is not so. My little space heater is OK, but it takes hours and hours to get the room to 65 or so.  This will be an ongoing conversation. 

I am new to FACEBOOK and must tell you a funny story about my lack of protocol on the site. I noted that there were lots of comments about an upcoming event on the site so I took the opportunity to write a question to the person who had initiated the stream (is that what you call it?). In any event, I received an email back that I should not have used the comment section to ask a question. It went “I don’t read all the comments (are you kidding me) and I may have missed the question!” said the initiator. I just let it pass as I was LOL.

A day or so later, I received a phone call reinforcing the fact that I just outlined above.  I thought, OMG, is it really that important? What a waste of time….but, I played along. I know the person was really serious about this. On FB it seems that every time someone burps or someone makes a funny face or has something to say (while standing on their soapbox) it gets posted and every comment, no matter what, gets read as I hear people talking about what was written. I know I will get grief about this, but since I can comment or question anything I want in my blog, I just took the opportunity J

I have been noticing how different the women are dressing now that the season has gone from summer to fall. I am just amazed at the outfits that are so suggestive and beyond sexy (mostly I have been this fashion here in Sagarejo, not so much in Tbilisi). For example, the boots that the women wear are the patten leather black boots that go way up above the knee. This goes along with the really short skirts that they wear and black stockings (not to mention the long hair that is often as long at their back). The leather outfits all have assorted zippers placed in very strategic places as well as buttons placed strategically. The high heels are something else. In addition to wondering how they walk in those things (especially with the sidewalks and streets beings broken up in places); they look like shoes that would be worn in an adult films (not that I’ve seen any, but I have heard tellJ). Some outfits are made of rubber and many have belts and leather that would make a motorcycle rider proud. Of course this is not every woman (but also includes some girls) but enough to make my eyes go behind my head. In this country that is so modest that tampons cannot be sold and every time you turn around someone is blessing themselves, these outfits look more like something out of S&M magazines (again, not that I’ve been any). I just don’t understand this.

http://odtmaps.com/detail.asp?product_id=HDP-11x17

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobo%E2%80%93Dyer_projection

I have never seen the Hobo-Dyer Projection map and I was totally blown away. Looking at Earth upside down was amazing…I had to look twice. I’ve listed the above links if you want more information and cut and pasted some information below. I found this in one of the text books that the children were using.

The map is printed on two sides, one side with north upwards and the other, south upwards. This, together with its equal-area presentation, is intended to present a different perspective compared with more common non-equal area, north-up maps.

I had a conversation with a group of 10^th and 12^th graders recently during their class time. I was trying to discuss with them the benefits of participating in the National Spelling Contest.  I was waiting for the classroom to quiet down before I spoke; however, if I had waited for that to happen I would have never been able to share the information with the students.  The students never stop talking to their friends or really anyone who is within ear shot. They make paper airplanes and fly them around the room. They get up to go talk to their friend in the next row. They are checking their email/text on their phone and often times they leave the room without any prior notice. All the while I am standing in the front of the room waiting for the room to quiet down as I can speak to them. I don’t take this personally, as this is routine behavior with the regular classroom teacher. She constantly has to fight to be heard over the student conversation. I usually sit and stare as I cannot believe what is happening in the room. I want to know “why do they come to class?”  I did ask that question and didn’t get an answer from the students – just blank stares as my question is being translated into Georgian.

I feel sorry for the few students who are there to learn. They participate over the party like behavior/atmosphere that is going on. At times the teacher talks in Georgian to the students and it seems to quiet them down; but, not for long. I watch as they throw stuff (chalk, paper, whatever) out of the windows. I’ve seen student rip the curtains off the windows and poke the heating unit on the wall with pens and other items. I watch as they scratch their names and other words into the desks. I am just overwhelmed.  When I say “stop” they usually do but only for the moment. As soon as my back is turned they go right back to doing whatever they were doing. Most come to class without text books or note books/pens. I ask that they please stop talking. They look at me and then continue talking to their neighbor like I am not there. You can “cut” the disrespect with a knife. It is very thick. I sometimes feel that I am in a movie version of “Lord of the Flies” as there is not much adult supervision here. There are lots of adults in the school; and even though there are hall monitors no one stops the children from running, screaming and hitting each other and various other activities.

Maybe they come to class because there is really nothing else to do in Sagarejo. Or possibly they are looking for attention? I often think that the school atmosphere is like “going to the mall” in the United States. A group of kids hanging around and talking in the mall; however, in this instance they are in a school classroom. There really is nothing to do in Sagarejo. There is a library (not in the school); but, I cannot imagine students would want to go there. There is no movie theater, no restaurants or cafes to speak of. More times than not people stand around watching other people fix their cars or stand around the bazaar fruit stands. Maybe the students see their future in the behavior of older Georgians and figure why work so hard if this is what I will end up being? The stores all close early and even if they didn’t the stores are so little that groups of students could not hang out in them. School seems to be the place where they can socialize. Often times the boys just decide not to come to class. The room is filled with girls and no one seems to know where the boys went to.

I went to speak to the 11^th grade girls about the GLOW program (Girls Leading Our World) recently. There are about 8 girl and 8 boys in the room. The boys would not stop talking and when they did and I began the orientation, they either began to talk again or were laughing so hard I could not hear myself talk. I asked them repeatedly to stop. I requested that if they could not control themselves to please leave the room so that I could speak. They didn’t want to do that but their behavior continued. What are you laughing at – I asked? I told them that I would expect this behavior from 2^nd grades, not 11^th graders and they laughed even harder. Finally, the teacher told the boys to leave as I was just standing in the front of the room silent. I was getting ready to leave and ask the girls to come with me. The boys left and the girls and I had a 20-minute conversation about GLOW. I just shake my head and actually feel a little sick to my stomach.

This does get me down as I really don’t know if I can make a difference here. However, one incident gave me a little hope. After six weeks of taking cell phones and other electronic devices away from the students (when they are using them during class time); and placing them on the teacher’s desk…. some students now (as soon as they come into class) place their phone or whatever on the desk without being asked. This is happening in the younger grades, so I think there is some progress there. Often times I feel like a cop patrolling the aisles in the classroom. On some level I cannot blame the children as they are not being taught self control, discipline. I really don’t know – maybe the adults have given up. However, as I expressed to my counter-part – if changes are not make in the lower grades as to behavior, etc., the cycle will just perpetuate.

Funny story about what happened recently in the teacher’s room. In Georgian (which I kind-of-sort-of understood; the teachers wanted to know what I wanted in a man. And not just a man, but my “Ideal” man. After I stopping laughing I told them “good sex and healthy bank book” Well, they were rolling on the floor. I don’t think they expected that to be said. It did divert the conversation away from me; but not for long. They told me they want to marry an “American man” – as most teachers want to leave the country and go to England or America. Georgian people are very direct in their questions so I was not surprised at their question. It did bring levity into the room; something that does not exist often in the teacher’s room.  I am sure there will be more questions around this topic. One teacher told me that the reason some women (many women) dress so provocatively is that if they cannot be having sex then they dress like they are. She referred to the women as “hens.” I really don’t know what that mean; but as I said, this conversation will continually unfold!

The school does not turn on the heat until mid-November (I am told). It is warmer outside than it is in the school building. I cannot imagine there will be a lot of heat in the school. First of all, the doors are always open as children are running in and out all during the school day. In addition, so many of the heating units are damaged – so not sure how much heat, if any, will be available through those sources. I need to go buy boots and soon or else I am not going to be able to go to school. My feet are freezing….and the snow boots I have are just too clunky to wear all day. I really don’t hold out much hope that the school will be anywhere close to warm; but, maybe I will be surprised. If children and parents would close the outside doors when they come into school it would be a good thing. I spend a lot of time closing doors, but they don’t stay closed for long.

My weekend in Tbilisi working for the FLEX program (Future Leader Exchange) Program was just terrific. The FLEX program happens in 3 stages. The first, and that is what I was a proctor for, allows anyone who wants to test for a spot in the FLEX program to do so. So, let me back up a bit. FLEX is a full year program that allows students to live and go to school in the United States. There are only 48 spots offered and to give you a sense of the number of applications, in Tbilisi, we had almost 1,000 students test. The testing goes on during the entire month of October and is happening in cities and towns across Georgia. I don’t know exactly how many students actual test; but there are lots. It is very competitive. It was so refreshing to witness so many students participate with respect and attention to what was happening. Also, the proctors had “Ronny’s Pizza” – almost like you get back in the US.

After the day of testing was over, a couple of PCV’s (husband and wife team) that also worked as proctors; we each secured a lovely hotel room and headed over for some R & R. The hotel was wonderful. They offered slippers and bathrobes. As soon as I checked in I took a shower. Ah, hot water and a warm room. There was hot water for coffee and a king sized bed with wonderful white linens and big soft pillows and comforter. I was in heaven. I have not felt that clean in some time. After that I met my friends for dinner. We wore our slippers to the restaurant in the hotel as we didn’t want to go out. Good food and great conversation was had by all. We talked for hours and then back to my room for another shower. My body was in shock J. CNN was available on TV however I could not figure out how to work the remote; but, never mind I was so tired and water logged I fell asleep listening to the rain outside my little Juliet balcony. The next morning, back into the shower and then breakfast at the hotel. What a wonderful buffet. My friends and I sat and ate and talked again for hours (it seemed). Truly, I didn’t want to leave. Now this may seem boring, but back to my room and I took my 4^th and final shower. I scrubbed my feet and back with brushes that I brought with me. I was all shiney!  Alas, it was time to go AND money was never better spent than my less than 24 hours at the hotel. I must do this more often; but it does get pricey – so, we shall see.

I spent a full day recently in Telavi (a city that is north of Sagarejo). This is the city I would need to get to in the event that the Peace Corps would have to evacuate and PCV's in the region would need to consolidate to be extracted. I left my house at 7:00am and walked for a full 90 minutes to get to the place where I would get the marsh that would go to Telavi. It was so early that no taxis were available, so in that case you walk. We did get a ride about ¾ of the way down but I don’t think the car had brakes. I don’t know for sure but the person I was traveling with (who does drive) said that whatever he was doing people do when they don’t have breaks. Heavens!  The marsh took a little less than 2-hours to arrive in Telavi. If this was a real situation I would be carrying my “Go Bag”, so I must remember how far I have to walk so I pack light. 

Arriving in Telavi we had to walk another 15 minutes (up-hill) to get to the hotel that we would “stage” at waiting for direction as to status from the Peace Corps. 

Since this was only a simulation, we didn’t have to go into the hotel. We held our meeting at the USAID Offices in Telavi. There are (18) PCV’s that live in the region that I do. The PC organizes the evaluation based on regions so that PCV’s can get to the evacuation point within a couple of hours. The USAID office had coffee and cookies for us and a nice warm conference room to talk in. We discussed different situations that would arise if we had to evacuate and how to handle them. We had to fill out a (3) page document which listed detailed information as to where we lived, how someone who has never been to our site would get there and phone numbers of everyone we are connected with on-site. It was very extensive. We even had to draw maps so that the visual could provide additional information that may have been left off in the text. After that we went to the Telavi Police Station. We meet the District Chief and all the Chief Officer of each of the towns and villages that we live in. We introduced ourselves and got to ask questions and report problems if we were experiencing any. It was an impressive event. I actually introduced myself in Georgia and spoke about (3) sentences as to where I lived and what I do. It was bare bones, and not as extensive as most of the other PCV’s, but I was impressed J.

At that point we went to lunch and had to catch up with folks we have not seen in a while. We did a little shopping at the bazaar and then spent 15 minutes trying to find a marsh to get home. Another two hours later I was back in Sagarejo and exhausted. It was a day.

I got to see a little of Telavi and was really disappointed. I had a vision of the town that was so different than the actual reality (usually is). I was planning to spend a short weekend in Telavi at some point, but after this visit I crossed that off my list. Not interested in Telavi anymore and hope that I don’t have to go back before we have the next simulation next year.

My Program Manager will be doing a site visit in early November so I will get to speak about some of the behavioral/school issues; however, I really don’t expect much to change. I need to find ways to help the students who really want to be helped and find satisfaction and fulfillment for myself. Not sure how to do that; but maybe that is the point of my service here in the Peace Corps?

Thanks for joining in and reading about my adventures, thoughts and observations. All the best,

Catherine Lawrence, G14 - 11/2/14

Peace Corps Volunteer/Georgia

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