Blog, December 24, 2014

Hello, My Faithful Readers:

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I’ve included two photographs at the end of the blog. The first is a photo of the NEW heating system here in my Sagarejo home. It is on the 2^nd floor and although it is situated in the room (next to my room) it is so powerful that it heats the entire 2^nd floor when it is on. The family does not keep it “on” all the time; so I still have my little space heater. My room is usually around 65F; but it has gone down to 58F. I am lucky as some PCV’s say that they can see their breath in their rooms and water freezes in their rooms. The second photo is the system that the family uses to make wine. It is truly a family event as many people are involved in this yearly event.

Here we are at the end of the year and for me, 2014 has been one for the books. I retired from my position in the States and was accepted into the Peace Corps. As I am ending 2014 and looking forward to 2015 I am filled with gratitude for my good fortune.  

At the moment I am packing to get ready for my travels over New Years!  I will be spending Christmas Day in the Peace Corps Office in Tbilisi so that I can make it to the airport for a 5:00 am flight to Istanbul and then onto Prague. On New Year’s Eve and Day I will be in Vienna, so that will more than make up for being alone on Christmas Day. J I don’t know how much access I will have to the internet as I travel; so this will probably be my last blog for 2014. I want to “thank” everyone who has supported me and have read my blogs and articles or just sent me good wishes!

 As I was talking about my upcoming trip with Georgian teachers and friends I was informed by just about everyone I spoke to had never traveled outside of Georgia. These are women in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s that have not seen any other part of world. It made me realize even further just how fortunate I have been. They speak with dreams in their voices about wanting to travel; but, tell me it is not easy to do that. 

So, to end the year some interesting aspects of my life here in Georgia!

First, I’ve been told that on 12/29/14 the “Pig – my Wilbur” will be no more.  It will take three men to make Wilbur into dinner. I know this is the reality; but, I still have mixed feelings about this. Of course, a new little piglet will come into the family in the spring and then the cycle will start all over again.  We now have a rooster here, along with the chickens. I would really like the rooster to be in the same boat with the pig.

For some reason I have been having a hard time concentrating on my reading materials here in Sagarejo. I just cannot seem to read anything heavier than Mary Higgins Clark and John Grisham and like authors. I have brought lots of classic reading materials with me; but, I cannot seem to focus. I am hoping that this will pass as I’ve made a promise to read “Crime and Punishment” (for some reason) and lots of other titles while I am here. I am a book junkie and cannot be without a book in my hand; so, I hope for the best. I have been given “The Museum of Innocence” Author – Orhan Pamuk to read as I aspire to spend some time in Turkey this summer.

It has been very mild (temperature wise) here in Sagarejo. It does go down to freezing at night; however, during the course of the day it sometimes hits 50F. This is a good thing; if it stays this way the winter may not be that bad after all; however, if only wishing made it so! J

I recently participated in the NESC (National English Spelling Competition) here in Georgia. Two students that were winners of the local competition here in Sagarejo School #2 -  (8^th and 9^th grades group and 10^th, 11^th and 12^th  grade group) were welcomed at the regional competition in Telavi.  There was a written portion which consisted of spelling 30 words and the high scoring students went onto the verbal part of the competition. It was a thrilling experience for me to watch these highly motivated and dedicated students challenge themselves.  During the verbal part of the competition I was the person who gave the students a mark on their hand if they didn’t spell a word correct. If they got two marks, they were out of the competition. When I directed them out of the competition and to their seat I felt like “Vanna White.” I was standing during the competition; however, it felt like I was on the edge of my seat. There was not a sound in the room as the audience was respectful of the stress the competing students were under. I cannot wait until the final competition in March, 2015!

While I was at the competition I met many new teachers from all around the Kakheti region. I was a little concerned at times as many, many teachers kept looking at me a little funny. I finally asked one of the teachers if there was something wrong and she said “Are you really a Peace Corps Volunteer?” I smiled and laughed as I knew what was coming. I’ve had many conversations with Georgian people that cannot believe someone as “old” as me J is a volunteer. They wanted to know just how old I am. These were all great conversations. They wanted to know “if I was afraid” living in a foreign country and being old. I must tell you that I just kept smiling. They said “my grandmother is as old as you and she sure does not look like you.” I took that as a compliment and the teachers and I spoke about the fear of doing what I was doing. Of course, I said “I am afraid; however, you cannot let that stop you.” They all wanted to take pictures with me so they could show the folks back home the “older” volunteer. It was an all around GREAT experience for me. One I will remember always.

As a pedestrian I am very concerned (at times terrified) to walk here in Georgia. It does not matter if I am in a village, town or city; as a pedestrian I feel that I am literally taking a chance with my life walking in Georgia. I have listed below an excerpt from an article that was written on the subject. The article has articulated my thoughts probably better than I could. If you want to read more the link is listed.

But first, Sagarejo (my home town) is especially difficult for pedestrians (ME) as virtually there are no sidewalks. People are forced to walk on the road that they share with drivers. Now, I say that (share with drivers) but that is not accurate. In my experience drivers have little or no regard for the people walking. If the truth be told I think drivers don’t appreciate (or welcome) people walking on what they consider their turf.  I watch as drivers make their way speeding at alarming rates up or down the mountain I must walk. I don’t know what the rush is other than they like to be moving fast or just the fact that no one is going to stop them. In order to avoid potholes (and there are many) drivers will swerve around them to the point that even though I am as far to the side as I can go I often feel that I am going to be hit. I never know how they will swerve so I just freeze where I stand and pray that they are paying attention.  There are no stop lights or signs here in Sagarejo; so unlike Tbilisi, you don’t have any margin of time to cross the street. I am literally running (along with other folks) as truly I am not at all sure they would stop and not hit me. I often stand by a parked car as I believe drivers would avoid hitting a parked car due to the damage it would cause their car.  Peace Corps told us when we arrived in-country to “make sure you watch out for cars as the cars will not watch out for you.”  The speaker said this laughing and at the time I thought it was a joke but it is cold, hard reality here in Georgia.  I don’t see anything funny about the way pedestrians are treated in Georgia!

http://www.iset.ge/blog/?p=4325

The ISET Economist: Traffic Traumas

Walking and driving in Tbilisi is usually dangerous and stressful. When walking around, pedestrians must continuously monitor the cars in their vicinity, even when walking on the sidewalks. The task of avoiding to be hit by cars is largely left to pedestrians, as many car drivers will not respect pedestrian rights. While Georgians are generally gentle and generous people, their attitude tends to change dramatically when they sit behind a wheel. Then fundamentally decent people turn into ruthless and selfish persons who would never give way to anybody……………

I am always amazed at how many TV commercials there are for Washing Machines here in Georgia.  There is one commercial that almost feels like a “Gershwin” movie. It features a family washing clothes (the washer is in the living room). Mother, Father and child spends a lot of the commercial watching the machine wash the clothes. The joy on their faces is contagious – I find myself smiling watching them. The music sounds like something from “Gershwin” and everyone is dressed beautifully. It ends with the father carrying the child out of the room on his shoulders and the mother turns the light out in the living room so that all that is left is seeing the washing running with (it appears) a light spotlighted on it.  Washing machines may be a novelty here (I don’t know). Many of the appliance stores feature rows and rows of washers; more so than televisions. My family has a washing machine and I am thankful…..I cannot image washing all my clothes my hand.

Many of the PCV’s have left already to go home or elsewhere for the holidays. Facebook is just filled with pictures of happy people with family and friends.

I am just so befuzzled (sp?) that no one seems to close the door as they enter or leave the school. I am constantly closing the door in order to KEEP the little bit of heat that is available in the school – in the school.  All day long people coming in and out (both adults and children) just leave the door wide open. Most folks wear their coats, hats, scarf, etc., while they are in the school as it is SO cold. So I wonder why they would not think to close the door after they enter school. 

When the bell rings to signal the change of classes the students leave the school in droves. There is no one to monitor who is leaving – the students just go. Sometimes they come back; or they go out to the playground or the game room in the basement of the school. I remember when I was in school (ages ago, for sure); however, we needed a pass to leave the school. That is not the case here in Georgia.

The clocks in the school are all different throughout the class rooms. I have my clock set to the internet; but my time is always either slower or faster than what the school clocks say. This was a problem recently as I was to meet a group of students at a certain time. When my clock said I had waited twenty minutes and student had not shown up; well, I left. However, I later found out that the school clock indicated that the students were on time; as, the school clocks were running slow.

Smoking here in Georgia is a big thing. I’ve heard, but cannot verify, that the percentage of people smoking here in Georgia is near 58%. Now, that is a big number; and I would not think that number was not far from the truth. I’ve noticed that I rarely see a man without either a cigarette in his mouth or in his hand. Interestingly I have never seen a woman smoking here. I don’t know whether I’ve missed that or women just don’t smoke in public. Honestly, at times I also want to grab a cigarette. I don’t know what the draw is……maybe the stress of living here? I have fought the feeling as I stopped smoking in 1990 and don’t want to smoke again. I am ashamed to tell you how many packs of cigarettes I smoked back in the day before I quit!

At the end of the day, after I return from school, I have a cup of coffee. Now, that may seem a pretty routine habit; however, I have never had coffee in the afternoon on a consistent basis. As I think about my coffee waiting for me as the school day ends, well - it really keeps me going (pushing me up my mountain). Here in Georgia we really only have instant coffee and up until now I would not touch it (yuck, instant coffee). However, I so look forward to my special time with my coffee….and I don’t think (without the coffee) that I would be awake after 6:00pm. Now, after the coffee (and I can hardly believe it) I end up taking a nap. I sleep maybe 15-30 minutes most days (maybe I faint is closer to the truth) when I get home from school. I think I need this transition in order to shake off the experience of my school day. Most days I feel like I am teaching in a circus like atmosphere and it is exhausting.  Due to my weight loss I can now almost run up my mountain to the quiet and sanity of my room and my coffee. I can leave the bedlam of my school day behind.

 I do know that when I get back to the States I plan to buy the best coffee available. I don’t care what it will cost; I only know that I so miss Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts (not that they are the best) – but it is better than instant.  (I heard a rumor that in January 2015 Dunkin Donuts is opening a store in Tbilisi. Not sure if it is true of where it is; but, it sure warrants looking into.

Well, this ends my adventures here in Sagarejo for 2014. When I next write I will begin a whole new chapter for 2015. In a couple of days it will mark (8) months here and I know that I don’t understand much of anything here in Georgia. My resolution for 2015 is to be more understanding and not compare what I think “should be” to “what is.” Also, work to make a difference in any way that the Georgian people or systems think is needed – keeping in mind “It’s not about ME!”

All the Best,

Catherine Lawrence, G14

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, December 10, 2014

Hello, My Faithful Readers:

I've included two photographs at the bottom on the blog. The first (and I hope you get a giggle out of it) is a before picture of my Thanksgiving Dinner! The second was taken of me and my host mother back in September, 2014. She runs the school cafeteria and makes lots of delicious hot food to sell to the students and staff!

Let me open this blog with one word “lettuce!” I cannot find lettuce here in Georgia, so when “lettuce” was on the menu at the Bazalti Lake Hotel last month I was dancing on air. Who would have thought! J

 I am pretty much holding my own at 60+ pounds lost. I have stabilized, although I have lost a few more pounds (and lots of inches). I now have some supplemental foods (tuna in a pouch, soup, oatmeal, etc.) that friends have sent or I’ve ordered from the States – so, I have more food than what the host family can provide. It is really a good thing for lots of reasons that I’ve lost the weight. In addition to health and being better able to climb my mountain home, I need to have on many layers of clothing on when I go to school. The heating in the school is so-so. If you stand right by the heater you can do OK; however, the heaters are just not big enough, or work well enough to do the entire room. All my clothes are so big and that is good as I can wear two or three layers underneath my big clothes. Sometimes I feel like “Ralphie’s” brother in the movie “A Christmas Story,” as if I drop something and have to pick it up with all the clothes I have on – I fear that I might stumble/tumble over and not be able to get up! This is a real concern for me – as in addition to looking stupid I don’t know how I would get up – I wear a lot of clothes J

Whenever I eat chicken here in Georgia I think of that “Purdue” guy who always said “It takes a tuff man to make a tender chicken.” Well, the chicken we eat here in Georgia is ok (especially since I get to know the chicken before I eat it); however, it is a little tuff (not as tender as I remember from the States). Maybe that is because the “Purdue” folks feed their chickens with supplements that are not available to chickens here on the mountain? My chickens (see I’ve taken ownership) have to hunt for any food in addition to what the host family provides. Now, the pig is another story. He eats whatever is left over and then some. I won’t know about him as he is not slated to be our dinner until Christmas here in Georgia; that is, January 7^th! Stay tuned  - Bacon is hopefully on the menu!!!  Even though my host family said I could not name the pig, I still think of him as WILBER!

The 2^nd and 4^th grade children greet me at their classroom doors with shouts of “Hello, how are you” and they run up and grab and hug me.  The first time that happened I was taken back as it was unexpected. I am literally dragged into the classroom with sometimes up to ten students walking with me. It is a joyous way to start a lesson. I so miss my hugs from my granddaughters; but, this somewhat makes up for it J. At that point usually a student gives me some art work they have drawn for me. I have kept every single scrap of paper that they have given me as I feel so appreciated and loved by their actions. Maybe I will make the drawings into a book! It is just a thought; however, I must say that I do keep this in mind when I am so frustrated and annoyed with the older students and their antics.

Because it is so cold now, in the morning there is a glaze of ice on the hand railing and on the steps. A friend warned me about this; so, I am extra careful when I come back to the 1^st floor in the house. I am probably going to have to wear gloves when I use the railing as holding onto the icy railing won’t stop me from falling if I need to grab onto something. 

I have also secured a very nice RED bucket that I’ve set up in my room so that I don’t have to go downstairs in the middle of the night to use the facilities. It has taken some thinking to get it right (and maybe this is way too much information, my Faithful Readers!!). However, this is part of my life now and I must face the fact that using the bathroom is like going on safari (at times). Dealing with the cold weather (leaving a warm bed); dealing with the steps (icey) and soon snowy and it is so dark. I must remember my flashlight so I can navigate and not trip over shoes or anything else that may be in the way. (Also, remember toilet paper) J

Do You Recognize this Symbol?

(sorry, I cannot get the image to print) - If you search on the internet I am sure it will come up!)

On July, 2014 the national currency of Georgia got its own sign. The Lari sign is based on a graphic outline of one arched letter ლ (Lasi) of the Georgian script. Selected new symbol obeyed world practice, where signs of other currencies were crossed with one or two parallel lines. It is notable that with regard to various currency signs addition of parallel lines is designed to transform a letter-mark into sign. In the Lari currency sign the two parallel lines crossed the Georgian (Lasi) are the organic parts of the letter.  

I have been watching the rate of exchange and when I looked earlier this week it was almost a 2:1 rate of exchange. 2 LARI for each US Dollar. Good for me but not good for the Georgian people.

http://www.georgianjournal.ge/arts-a-culture/28224-dont-breathe--new-georgian-movie-by-nino-kirtadze.html

I went to see a movie recently at the Tbilisi International Film Festival. The movie was called “Don’t Breathe” and the link above will give you the gist of what it was about. It was in Georgian with English sub-titles. I really enjoyed it as I think it touched something very fundamental in all of when we are faced with a medical crisis. The movie theater was lovely. It was near the Tbilisi Concert Hall (which I was very glad to discover). The theater was really big and had at least two (maybe three) screens in the complex. Of course, lots of people attended. At the end of the show the actors (who were in the audience) as well as the Director went on stage and had a Q&A (in both Georgian and English). I really felt at times that I was at home as that format of Q&A is also used in the States after a festival movie. Also the theater itself rivals anything the US has to offer!

Recently, I had an amazing four nights and five days. The movie was one of the events that was a component of this adventure; but, there were so many other discoveries.

To begin, I spent Thursday night with a friend as we attended a meeting of SERVAS at a wonderful Italian restaurant in the Vake District of Tbilisi (link below). I had the Lasagna and I fully intended to eat only half and save the remained for breakfast; however, it was SO GOOD I ended up eating the entire thing. SERVAS Georgia is planning a Regional conference in May 2015 that will include SERVAS members from around the region. SERVAS is an international organization that promotes “travel with a purpose.” It is a worldwide organization that allows members to secure lodging & contact with fellow SERVAS members throughout the world. I love this organization and now, in addition to being a member in the US, I am now a member here in Georgia. Of course, this is ALL done during my time off from Peace Corps. For this meeting; however, I used a day of my annual leave as I thought it was important enough to do that.

http://www.usservas.org/

 http://wikimapia.org/114539/Vake

It was great not to have to worry about catching the last marsh back to Sagarejo as I was staying overnight in Tbilisi. The next day I was supposed to return home; however, my friend has a house in Choporti which is a village about 40 minutes outside of Tbilisi. The house was wonderful and big. Choporti is known for its tomatoes. The village is very poor. It reminds me of the village I stayed in when I first arrived here in Georgia. Nonetheless, the time away gave me a feeling like I was on vacation and thanks to my friend got to see a village that I may never have seen. I didn’t bring my camera so I don’t have any photographs to share…..hopefully I will be invited back this summer and then I can make sure I take photographs.

http://travelingluck.com/Asia/Georgia/Georgia+%28general%29/_615104_Choporti.html

After we left Choporti we headed back to Tbilisi as for some reason we didn’t have internet in the village and it was needed to accomplish some work that was on deadline. I stayed with a new friend in a lovely apartment on Saturday in Tbilisi and got to roam about Tbilisi at night. The movie was part of the roaming around and it was all terrific. I must also say that during this time I had many, many showers…Ah, I felt like a new woman. The apartment has an elevator; however, you had to pay to use it. I have never seen an elevator that you need to pay to use. I was told that the fees are used to maintain the integrity of the elevator so that it is never out of service. It is only 5Tetri (I guess about 2cents in US). Of course there are steps nearby; but, if you are carrying lots of packages it helps to have an elevator.

On the last day of my sabbatical (as I’ve begun to think about my time away) I did a site visit at an International school in Tbilisi, QSI (Quality Schools International – link below). What a treat that was. The school is unlike the public schools I have been working in. QSI is very small, about 140 or so students. It is very modern and they have many, many more resources than we do in Public School #2 in Sagarejo. Of course, there is a fee attached to attending QSI and the public schools are free via the Ministry. I was able to meet with the English Teacher at the school and obtain from her some help on starting a program here in Sagarejo for adults who want to begin learning English. The teacher at QSI already has a program up and running so I was happy that she shared information with me. I also sat in on a class of adult beginner English learners. It was so informative to watch her methods unfold. I also sat in on a 2^nd grade class. There were (10) student’s in the class and it was conducted by a teacher and an assistant teacher. It was a wonderful experience to watch how the teachers interacted with the students. It was joyful to watch the students. They were very involved in the learning. I also got to share my weekend events and stories (along with the students). I held the “apple” which gave me the right to speak. I had a snack at the school as well as lunch. I was only there for about 4+ hours, and I’ve been invited back (which I will do after we all return to the classroom in January). I caught the bus outside of the school and came back to Tbilisi and then back to Sagarejo.

I didn’t expect to be gone 4 nights and 5 days; but, it was so welcomed and needed. I must share the fact that during my sabbatical I was wearing the same clothes for the entire time. I had fully expected to return on Friday and since I didn’t (and didn’t bring a change of clothing) – well, I wore the same outfit for 5 days. Really, no one except me seemed to mind. It was not hot so I was not offensive. I really didn’t want to miss all of these experiences because of clothing and I am SO GLAD that I made that choice. No one cared what I wore. They were more interested in me and our conversations. I washed socks and undies!  I came back (my body) fresh (and clean!) with lots of new ideas and new friendships ! I am also feeling so comfortable getting around in Tbilisi and surrounding areas. Sometimes I have anxiety about getting from point A to point B; but, then I remember that I can always jump in a taxi if I feel lost – but, most times I just figure it out. I do need to spend more times on buses as I miss being on buses.

As I was traveling in and around Tbilisi and staying at the apartments of many wonderful and generous friends I found out a couple of interesting facts. The first is that all transactions for car purchases/sales and the same for buying property (or renting) is handled in U.S. Dollars and not Georgian currency. Also, all apartments come furnished (and what great furniture) – not like what I’ve seen in the States for furnished apartments. Just information that is good to know!

http://qsi-tbilisi.weebly.com/

I was just approved for my third article in my series on OpEdNews. I wrote about shopping here in Georgia as there are so many unique and interesting shopping venues here in Georgia. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it. Not sure what I will write next; however if there is one thing I’ve discovered is that all my questions about anything here in Georgia get answered and work out. It is kind-of-like magic (or at least that is how I think of it). Don’t stress, Catherine – the answer will come (and it does!) J

Thank you for submitting an article to OpEdNews.

Your article titled Shopping in Georgia!

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

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Shopping-in-Georgia-by-Catherine-Lawrence-Shopping_Shopping-Mall-141210-79.html

This article has been placed in the Life Arts category with tags:

Shopping, Shopping Mall

I will close for now and wish everyone “Happy Shopping” (as we count down the days to Christmas and New Years). In my life, I have always had  many blessings to count but this year is extra special. I can count my extreme fortune to be part of Peace Corps Georgia and now have a forum to write and share my experiences and adventures here in Georgia.

All the Best, 

Catherine Lawrence, G14

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.