Hello, My Faithful Readers

April 25, 2016

24 Months Served/2 More To Serve

Photographs at the bottom of the Blog.....Hope you Enjoy!

The BIG news is that the Pig has arrived. (Wilbur 3) – I am not allowed to name him but I do think of him as Wilbur 3. I didn’t see him arrive, but one day recently I heard him crying out back where the pig house is. When I went back to investigate I thought he was going to jump out of his pen and land on me (as I was looking in through the window).  During my time here I have watched two pigs grow; but, thankfully, I have not witness them being shot and slaughtered. Lots of animals cry here; especially dogs. This will be an aspect of village life that I won’t miss.

Things are very same-same (but not the same-old-same-old) here on my mountain. The cycle has started again and I sit and watch the family spend hours and hours in the garden. The trees have started to bloom and so have the flowers. I watch before I leave for school the tulips being closed up and then when I return from school they are open. I have never noticed that; even last year, I don’t remember watching the tulips. Now, this may be kind of boring, my faithful readers….but, this is what is happening. Of course, I am getting ready to leave service, packing and completing my reports; but the garden is the thing that has always captured me. I will miss is greatly.

I’ve been here in Georgia and the Peace Corps for a full two years; however, I must tell you it feels more like decades that it does years. You know how they say the years go by faster and faster the older you get; well, that has not been my experience. If the Peace Corps could bottle this experience and sell it as the Fountain of Youth….I know I would certainly buy it. Dealing with daily living here in-country (although I do complain, I know)…however, you really can’t focus on the hardships; as there is just too much else to deal with.

I am writing and listening to a car alarm. I cannot believe it. Its 9:22pm and I am looking out the window to see what car (there is only one here on my mountain) is screaming with a car alarm. I guess one of the neighbors has company as I don’t recognize the car. It was very strange to hear that sound as I’ve not heard a car alarm here in Sagarejo.

One of the teachers came into the teachers’ room with a can of opened beer. We all looked at her and waited for why she had beer at 10am in the morning. It seems that the teacher took the beer away from a student (8^th grade student) during class time. I’ve seen this before; both in the classroom and on buses and marshes. I don’t understand that Children drinking beer right out in the open and no one seem to think anything of it. I am so glad this teacher did take the beer away; but, I don’t think the practice will stop. Children drink at family gatherings (supras) and in fact it is encouraged.

This practice goes hand-in-hand with children driving the car. I’ve seen many children on the lap of the driver (usually a man) as they speed down the road. Sometimes the children are very young and/or I’ve seen young adults driving a car without benefit of an adult. I remember a half century ago this practice being done where I grew up. At that time I didn’t think anything of it; but now, heavens.  The way Georgians drive is horrible and to have children in the car; let alone helping drive it, is very upsetting.

Easter is coming here in Georgia. It is Sunday, May 1^st and the good news is that we have five days off from school. Yipeeeeee….I will write more about this as I will be spending a long weekend in Tbilisi and visiting with friends who have comfortable sofas J. I am looking forward to eating (real food); having showers and comfortable chairs. Easter in Georgia is a really big deal.

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/common/orthodox-easter-monday

Over the next 10 weeks or so, the Peace Corps will send an email every Tuesday to help us transition from service here in Peace Corps Georgia back into real life. They will give us resources (not sure exactly what kind) and also what is available to us as former Peace Corps Volunteers. This is a really good thing; so, I am looking forward to the information.

I have finally grown in the classroom; and that means, that I do longer get myself angry or upset (as much) when the students continually talk on their phones, talk to each other during class time or punch/hit each other during class. This has been the behavior of the students for the entire 24 months that I have been here. I am asked to read text to the students so they can hear English from a native speaker; however, most times I have to talk over the students or stop and wait for them to stop talking. What I now do is just keep reading while they continue talking or fighting or they are on their phones, or whatever. It is really very bazaar; but, these kids have no interest in what I am doing or what their regular teacher is doing for that matter. Most, not all, come to school doing what they have been trained to do since 1^st grade; and that is play. They have not been taught that school is different than a school yard, playground or a circus for that matter. They run screaming through the halls as every 45 minutes when classes change they have recess. When class starts again they arrive late back to the classroom and they are overheated as they have been running and jumping (on each other); playing tag or hide-n-go-seek in the hallways. Sometimes kick the bottle is played in the classroom and hallways. It is a horror, at least to me. I can handle it most days as I know I am not going to change anything. But there are days that all of this makes me ill. Overall, I know it is not the fault of the children; it just makes me angry and then I get sad.

This is an aspect of my service that I will not miss. I love teaching; and sadly by any stretch of the imagination I have not been teaching. It is more like crowd control. The book “lord of the flies” comes to mind as clearly the children are in control. They know that no matter what their behavior no consequences will fall on them. They may get hollered at; but, it does not impact or bother them. We all continue to try; but it gets increasingly more difficult as the week goes on. By Wednesday I am exhausted (really earlier than that). One of the most astounding things is that the teachers really don’t see how complicit they are in teaching the children to behave in such an undisciplined way. They ask me for suggestions to positively change behaviors; however, once given they make excuses for the children and it just goes around in a circle. I just don’t offer advice any longer. Even when I am asked; I just smile and change the subject.

Sometimes I am floored with the inconsideration that is exhibited by people (in general) and I don’t know why I am surprised that the Georgian people are inconsiderate also (probably a part of the human condition). In this land that is constantly referred to as hospitable I have been left walking on the road home by host family members and extended family members/neighbors. I felt really bad when these events happened; but, then I realized that I have nothing to feel bad about. These folks driving past me (sometimes while it was raining/cold/wind/snow) and waving at me as they drive by should feel embarrassed. As I walk up the road to the location that they have driven to, I am astounded at the greeting that I get – welcoming me. I think – why did you not be generous and offer me a ride? I know it would not do any good to say anything as I really don’t think they see anything inconsistent with hospitality and my being left on the road. At the moment, I am writing this at 1:30am as the neighbors are having a party and they have large speakers screaming music. There is no way I can sleep. The music is rap and I’ve heard the “blank-blank” word (you know what I mean) been shouted out through these speakers.  It is insulting to have to be captive to be forced to be a part of this – no choice; where am I going to go or who to call. These people, if I asked them to lower the music, would look at me like my head is screwed off.

April 15^th, here in Georgia, is known as the “Day of Love”. Of course in the United States April 15^th is known as “Death Day” – AKA,Tax day – (yes, Virginia – it is all semantics)…..in any event here is the Story of the “Day Of Love”. In a land far, far away (known as Georgia) the military men were not allowed to marry. It seems that the work was so dangerous and the nation didn’t want to have a community of military widows….so, that is the way it went. Until one day, a priest (and let’s face it Religion rules this country) said it was a stupid rule. The military should be allowed to marry. So, on this date – April 15^th, he married the 1^st military couple and the rest is history. Now, military men and women can marry. And they all lived happily ever after…..:-)

Another experience I can share with you was something that was/is so foreign to me I can hardly believe it happened. In a nutshell, I was “Catfished!” I had no idea what this word meant prior to my experience. Basically, it has come about as a result of the internet world. It is a scam perpetrated via skype and the internet (e-mail). I cannot even say “Only in America” – as it is happening all over the world.  The term comes from a movie of the same name. It is about Relationships that are built on lies and fabrication of facts that really, initially, how could anyone prove or disprove. The electronic world does not adhere to borders….and you can be anyone you want to be. 

And so, here is my story.

I was contacted by a man through one of the dating sites I had placed a profile on. I was surprised as I thought I had removed all my on-line profiles as seriously, I had given up on this method of meeting people. So, when I was contacted I was surprised and pleased as the man (in the electronic world) was a powerhouse (in my opinion). Whoever I was speaking to mis-represented him/herself as someone else. A military man, who was high in rank and had a profession (pilot) that was made-up/not true. He was a widow (with a pre-teen daughter) and really spun a weave of lies that was so convincing -  he/she really had me on the ropes for a little bit of time. I believe, as there was no way I could dis-prove, some of his tall tales. He said he was in Kabul and being in a war zone, well – I would imagine the men and women live under different rules. Our conversation was not his first “Rodeo” and I was totally duped. There were some inconsistencies in our dialogue; but then as humans we do believe what we want to believe. As much as my “trust” meter was going crazy (at times); I wanted to give this a chance and not kill it (as I usually do romantic relationships) before they have a chance to walk.

So, it came to a head when we were making plans to meet. It seems that I would have to request of his commanding officer time off. I would need to do this claiming to be his spouse (of course, on email). In addition, I would need to send 1400 pounds (which is $2,000US) to an address in London that I would get back (as it was totally reimburseable) when I met this man  - (and BTW – once I met him I was never going to be able let him leave). LOL (Laughing out Loud) – Wow, was I floored. This person (as I have no idea if it was a man or a woman (maybe an alien) was totally serious.

I felt like I needed a shower. I felt like I wanted to throw up. What a scam. Mad at myself (initially) that I walked into this; but, these folks really know how to push buttons. I am alone but not lonely. I have a great life  – but, I would welcome a wonderful relationship into my life. Taking a chance; trying to live life being not so suspicious and jaded. Well, all of this reinforced my way of being (which is really the saddest aspect of all this).

What can I say; I was taken in – but, not for long. I did see the person behind the curtain and came through unscathed. Sad and disappointed; but I will live. I write this very soon as all this ended so I am sure that more will come to light as time goes forward and I can reflect further.

Onto other things….the grandmother is so deaf. She puts the television on at such a high level and then she goes into the garden. Honestly, you can hear the television while you are at the end of the road. I turn the TV down; and she turns it up. The noise comes through the floorboards in to the second floor.  The windows vibrate with the level of sound….even my headphones cannot deaden the noise.

The heat is finally off in the school. I was surprised that the heat remained on until mid-April. I know last year the heat went off on April 1^st. The weather has not been that cold; but the rain is the thing. It is sometimes so cold and damp that I still need to use my space heater just to take the chill off the room. So, I guess winter is really over (smiles)….maybe.

One more thing about the schools….the children sleep in class. I wake them up and they look at me and then put their head back down. Seriously, they have no qualms about disobeying adults. The children just do whatever it is they want. I know, from my host family, that everyone goes to bed very late. The children especially sometimes don’t get to bed until after midnight or later; so, no wonder they are tired in class. Most times they come home from school and take a nap – so that allows them to stay up late and the circle continues. The sleeping in class bothers me terribly. What is more upsetting is that the teachers don’t think there is anything wrong with this. They brush it off as the children are tired; and it is OK to sleep during the lesson. There is just so much I don’t understand and the longer I am here the more I don’t understand. Teaching to folks sleeping is so unbelievable I cannot get my head around it. It is like talking to empty chairs.

Over the weekend of April 23^rd; I went to a town (out West in Georgia) called Dzevrie. I’ve been to this location last summer for a summer camp; so, the locale was familiar. We went (other Peace Corps Volunteers and myself) to play baseball with students from the local school. It was a real hoot!

We started by arriving Friday and the Director of the school organized a “Supra” for us. This was my first “Supra” with PCV’s; so, this was also a new experience. We ate (of course Georgian Food) and drank the local wine. The Director’s children (a boy and girl, ages 10 and 9) danced the traditional Georgian dances for us and even had some of us up dancing with them. It was a tremendous good time.  The next day we assembled on the ball field to play ball. We were scheduled for 4 innings; which I thought was too little; however, it took us over 2-hours to play 4-innings and we were all exhausted. The children were GREAT; although, they lost to the winning Peace Corps Volunteers. I did go to bat twice and hit the ball each time. I was not fast enough to run to 1^st base; but, I was thrilled to even have hit (hard ball) the ball. The weather was spotless, not a cloud in the sky and you could see the mountains in the distance (with snow on the tops) as we were guarding the bases and fields on defense.

After the game we all started for various places. I came back to Tbilisi; other PCV’s went to Batumi and others went various other towns. However, first we were treated to a lunch on Georgian food. It was really lovely.

I’ve attached a picture of the teams after the game.

A couple of final thoughts: My host father has stopped smoking. This is a big deal and initially I didn’t understand why. Men here in Georgia smoke a lot. It is rare that I see a man without a cigarette in his mouth. However, it seems that cigarettes have increased in price. I don’t know how much; but apparently enough so that people are being forced to stop smoking. Well, this is really a good thing. I hope that it continues as I know how hard it is to stop smoking.

And finally, so many children in my school are walking around with their arms in slings, hands are bandaged, on crutches, legs in cast, head bandages….I don’t know what happened; or maybe nothing more than the usual rough-housing the kids do both in and out of school. However, it just seemed like so many children were hurt in some way.

So, here I am at the end of another blog. Thank you for sharing this crazy ride with me. The G-16’s have arrived in-country. These are the folks that will replace my group, the G-14’s (meaning – the 14^th group to service in the Republic of Georgia).

All the best, Catherine Lawrence, G14

Peace Corps Volunteer/Georgia  - April 25, 2016

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