Hello, My Faithful Readers
June 13, 2016
26
Months Served – ALMOST Completed Service!
I usually write one blog a month; however, since
this is my FINAL month here in Sagarejo and In-Service as a Peace Corps
Volunteer; I needed to blog twice. The FINAL Peace Corps Adventure blog post will come at the end of the month.
So, here we are my friends at the end of an
adventure that was worth its weight in gold. At the end of this blog I will be 17 days away from being a former Peace Corps Volunteer. That is both a happy
and sad thought; but, I knew it was coming. In fact a lot of the time I prayed
that the end of service would come a lot sooner than it did. But, even with all
my complaining; I would not have traded this experience for anything.
As I begin my life as an “Ex-Pat” in Tbilisi; I
would like to do another blog. I don’t know what I will call it – but I will
let you know how to access it. For now, I write about some closing thoughts of
my service here in the village/town of Sagarejo.
Some
final stories from day-to-day living here in Georgia:
Many houses here in Georgia, both here in the
village as well as the capital city, have ants. I didn’t realize just how many
people had ants; but, probably I was not listening or didn’t understand.
However, the Georgian’s think that ants are a good thing. There is this saying
that goes “Ants bring the Money” – so, having ants in your home is a really
good thing. Well, I don’t agree – but then I guess it is a good way to justify
having ants.
It has been raining A LOT and as a result the MUD
has been horrible. One of the reasons was the result of having the road dug up
to lay the new water pipes. The overturned dirt was so fresh that it resulted
in mud when the new dirt mixed with water. When I walk to school I just sink
into the mud. I try and walk on the side of the road; but, sometimes that is
not possible. Another fear is falling; as the mud is so slippery. Hopefully
this will be behind me when I move to Tbilisi!
A “first” happened the other day going to school. It
was raining and I was walking down the mountain to go to school. I noticed a
car (with a taxi) sign on the roof coming out of one of the driveways. The taxi
stopped and then backed up heading toward me. Well, I sure didn’t want to pay
for a taxi going down the mountain; so, I didn’t think too much of it. However,
the driver (one of the drivers that I use to go up the mountain) waved me in
and said “no money.” I was shocked. That
had never happened to me; so, I got in and away we went down the mountain and to
school. It was a wonderful treat not to have to walk the walk; but also, to be
fairly dry when I reached the school…..Thank you!
A story from a day in the life:
Recently a woman, an old woman, came into the
teacher’s room at school. She was so little and frail I was wondering why she
was there. It became clear after a moment that this woman had issues; in that,
she thought she had arrived to go to school (herself) but was not sure where to
go. One of the teachers spoke to her as she thought she was looking for her
granddaughter; however, it became clear the woman was confused. I didn’t understand all the conversation in
Georgian; but, I knew enough to know that the teachers were concerned about her
mental state.
One of the teachers took the woman to the Office of
the Director; and once the door was closed the remaining teachers started to
laugh. I was confused as I wondered what was so funny. The laughing continued
with talk about this poor old woman who was thinking she was here to go to
school…and I was ashamed at what I was seeing. After two years living here, I
still don’t understand.
School is coming to a close on June 10th.
What a wonderful day that will be knowing that I never have to be in a
classroom again. As the time draws closer; there are fewer and fewer students
that come to school. All the text books have been collected; so, the students
have nothing to work with. However, throughout the year, even though they have
text books, many students don’t bring them to school or open them. As the days
draw to a close; the teachers play word games with the students and/or run a
video. Many classes go on trips and all throughout the day the teachers,
parents and students are taking pictures.
Another story from a day in the life:
A community member had a situation with their teeth.
The front teeth were so rotten that after eating bread two of the teeth broke
off and the root was left in the mouth. The person was so upset. The person was
looking at the broken teeth in hand and crying…trying to figure out what had
happened. I was so sad to see this and thought that a dental appointment would
be scheduled. It has been almost a month and the teeth are still rooted in the
mouth. No dentist was seen…
…..but, what made me even sadder was the behavior of
the person who witnessed this event. As they were watching the person and
giving support and saying how sorry they were; once done and their back was
turned away they started to laugh and giggle. They laughed and mimicked the
person holding the broken teeth in their hands and wiped the invisible tears
from their face – all the time laughing. What can I say – I just have no words.
Dental care is not wide spread here in my village.
Although some children do have braces and have dental work - so many do not have care. Money is always the
issue and it just seems that the dentist is an expense that many people cannot
afford.
I will post a picture, but on June 4th
the G-14’s (of which I am a member) was invited to the home of the United
States Georgian Ambassador and his wife for a BBQ. It was a real treat. There
was lots of GREAT food; a swimming pool; comfortable chairs and BEER. It was a
four hour party; and truly no one wanted to leave. The Ambassador spoke
wonderful words about our service here in-country and of course, pictures were
taken. It was a great way to have the entire group of G-14’s together one more
time before we all leave for various parts of the world.
One more story from a day in the life:
The road to my house was being torn up in order to
lay new sewer pipe in the ground. I had no idea this was going to happen and
came upon this situation as I returned from school recently. As I looked at
this situation the workmen just looked at me and no one made a move to help me
figure out how to get to home. I finally decided I would have to walk along the
edge of the hole they dug for the pipe. It was going to be dangerous; as on one
side was the 4 foot hole for the pipe and on the other was a crater for the
excess water to run off the mountain (about a four foot drop into dirty water).
As I started to walk the long and narrow edge I
almost fell. I took the workman’s hand (who was standing in the hole for the
pipe) and started walking. He was not really happy about this; but, too
bad. I was pushing against weeds and
dirt with every step. As I was very close to home; the workman went back to the
team. At that point, I did fall. I was very lucky that I landed on the piece of
dirt I was walking on and not in the pipe hole or crater. To his credit; the
workman came back to help me up and support me to get home.
As I walked into the house; I saw my host family in
the kitchen. How could they have gotten home?
They asked me if I had walked up the road and when I said yes they
started to laugh. My face told them I didn’t think any of it was funny. It
seems that there is a back way in which no one told me about – but, really they
didn’t leave the house because of the construction. They asked why I walked up
the road – and I said “are you kidding me”. “Why didn’t you tell me”? They just laughed…..
I find so often that Georgians have a strange sense
of humor when it comes to the misfortunes of others. I don’t understand it; as
it almost has an adolescent quality about it. I was very angry with my host
family. But, then I think maybe because life here is so hard; that the only way
to combat misfortune is to laugh at it.
One thing I won’t miss here is the television. In my
new apartment I had the landlord take the television out of the apartment. I
don’t see any value to having it. In any event, my host grandmother turns the
volume up so loud and the reason being is that 1) – she is hard of hearing and
in addition – 2) she wants to hear the soap operas when she is in the kitchen
washing dishes or out in the garden working on the flowers. The television is
blasting.
I come down to the living room and turn it down and
it stays low for a little bit; but then, the volume goes back up again. I do hope
my new neighbors have a low tolerance for noise? This is what I was told by my
landlord; but, we shall see.
The Hard Rock Café is coming to Tbilisi! Opening is slated
for December, 2016! It has been said that a “city” is on the map when it has a
Hard Rock Café – so, I guess that says it all for Tbilisi. We have arrived!!!!
My final day in school was bitter/sweet. There were
very few students in class; so, DVD’s were played while the teachers collected
books and made final notes in their role books. Even though my service ended in
the school on June 10th; the teachers need to go to school every day
until June 30th so that they will be paid for the month. Regardless
of whether there are any classes; the teachers need to be in school.
My last day consisted of lots of hugs and my
counter-part teachers took me to lunch at a restaurant across the street from
the school (which I had no idea it even existed). This restaurant served
Kinkali and surprisingly it was delicious. They were homemade and cooked in
water that didn’t taste like dish water. We had beer and I ate (6) of those
Kinkali. After lunch, more hugs and promises to stay in touch. The school gave
me (2) bottles of Georgian Wine….it was very sweet of them and I know I will
enjoy it.
I know it will take a little time to recover from
the school experience (and that is OK).
I have decided not to participate in the Summer
Program in Turkey (July, 2016). The reason being is that the camp is very close
to the Syrian Border and with the unrest happening in that area; I didn’t want
to put myself in harms way. I am very disappointed about that as I have looked
forward to this all year; but, the hopefully the new year things will be calmer
and then I can go.
The second half of my June blog will consist of
leaving Sagarejo; moving into my apartment and leaving service with the Peace
Corps. There are traditions (ringing the last bell) leaving the Peace Corps
Office and completing all the requirements necessary for COS (Close of
Service). In addition, I have a job
interview here in Tbilisi. It is with an organization that prepares students
for SAT, GRE, etc., type testing. Also career counseling….so we shall see about
this and other ideas I have of creating a life for myself in Georgia!
I told you there was a lot to talk about and that
one blog was not going to cut it J I will see you
all at the end of June!
Best,
Catherine Lawrence, G14
Peace Corps Volunteer/Georgia- 6/13/16
The
contents of this blog are mine personally and do not reflect any position of
the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps.
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