Blog, July 9^th, 2014

Hello My Faithful Readers:

I finally figured out how to download from my camera to the computer, so I am posting a photograph that was taken from my bedroom window. I’ve been asking but no one seems to know the name of the mountain. Also, the second photo is in Osiarui. It is one of roads that I have to walk in order to get home! I think they loaded at the bottom of the blog! Enjoy.

I had my first ride in a marsh while “standing”. I am a seasoned bus rider. I don’t have a car so either I walk or I take the bus. Standing on a bus in the United States is a little uncomfortable at times, but not that bad. I can “stand my ground on a bus, no problem.” However, I cannot say the same for the “standing” experience in a marsh. Up until this point when I’ve gotten on the marsh and there were no seats someone, either a nice gentleman or one of the children (usually from the school and they recognize me) they get up and give me their seat. Georgian’s are wonderful like that. However, this marsh was filled with mostly women coming back from shopping at the bazaar. In addition to people, the marsh was filled with bags and bags of fruits, vegetables, clothes, etc. When I got on I barely had a place to stand let alone sit.

The marsh is really not made for standing as there is nothing to hold onto except the back of the seats. Also, you cannot stand up straight in the marsh (like you can on a bus).  The ceiling is low because the marsh is really a “van” so you have to bend a little in order to get yourself in. I was trying to balance my bag of goodies and hold on at the same time. One woman took pity on me and grabbed my bag which left my hands free to push against the walls and/or ceiling to anchor myself. That was not working either.

 There are many turns and twists on the ride home, so I was back and forth against other folks who were standing – apologizing, but it was either that or I was going to fall on them (which would not have been pretty). The roads are also bumpy with deep pot holes, so the driver is always zigging and zagging to try and avoid them. It was a heck of a ride. If all that was not enough, the marsh has few open windows and of course no air conditioning, so it was boiling inside. I almost got out half way home to walk the remainder of the way. It’s a 20-minute ride from start to finish and when I got out of the marsh I felt like I had been inside a washing machine.  Just to think, I am going to have 2-years of this joy! A former PC volunteer told me that on a marsh ride in the dead of summer she fainted from the heat and found herself waking up on the ground outside of the marsh with all the riders looking down on her. I can’t wait J

I remembered something about the recent 4^th of July picnic that I wanted to share. All my American friends out there can back me up on this; but, when Americans go to a picnic (not always, but mostly) we dress very casual. Shorts, tank tops, jeans, flip flops – really just knock around clothes. However, the Georgian folks who came to the picnic were dressed like they were going to a really fancy dinner party. High heels, long dresses, beautiful blouses, makeup and jewelry. Some of the PC Georgian staff who had been at last year’s picnic knew the drill so they (or some) came casual, but the host families didn’t. They really put us American’s to shame that they were so dressed up and most of us looked like beach bums (good beach bums) J. One final point that I failed to mention about the picnic was that my host brother (11) and sister (14) attended with me. It was GREAT to share the experience with them. They threw water balloons and got wet. They were thrilled about that – it seemed like a new experience for them J. They kept running into the pavilion (which was where I was out of the sun) to show me how wet they were, or a new painting on their face or a balloon hat someone had made for them. They were just having the best time!

I want to share something that I am really looking forward to. I want to do some traveling in the region around Georgia, but I also want to explore Georgia. The PC volunteers (both current and former) are such wonderful resources. I received information about guest houses on or near the Black Sea (which is definitely a destination at some point). In any event, rather than go into Batumi (on the Black Sea) the volunteer chose to go to Kobuleti, which is I understand, also on or near the Black Sea. There are two places she recommended. The first guesthouse is near the center of town in Kobuleti. The cost is 10 Lari/night. The second guesthouse is RIGHT ON THE SEA – but it is remote and not near the center. It is called the Hotel Miragi and it is 15 Lari/night or 25 that includes meals. I hope to check these places out as both come highly recommended. For me, I would have to travel basically the entire country from East to West. Probably a 5+ hour marsh ride. It is something to consider. I will keep you posted.

I am really lucky to have a family that has a washing machine, but I miss having bleach added to the washing cycle. All my white clothes, after 11 weeks, are dingy. The PC did put that in the “info you should know” that the white (socks and underwear, t-shirts) start to not be white any longer. The suggestion was to bring dark clothing. Hot water is also not used when washing clothes and both color and white clothes are done together.  Also, it was a mistake to bring white sneakers. Oh, well – next time I will know better J.  Just a silly point, but most of the washers load from the front, so you have to bend down and stuff the clothing in. It seems that in Georgia things are often done the hard way. I don’t know why that is, but I’ve found that to be the case in different situations. It is almost (this is my observation) that they need to do things hard or difficult. I’ve heard that about the Russian people that “easy” is not really a way of life. The hard way seems to be more familiar and “easy” is more or less uncomfortable. Maybe this is part of the Russian legacy that the PC spoke to us about, doing things the hard way.  Geezes, I am just too old to do things the hard way so this is going to be interesting.

On Monday morning, as I was waiting on the road for the marsh to take me into Khashuri I had one of the BEST experiences here in Osiauri. Of course, while I was waiting I was “in my head” about the day ahead – that frankly I was not looking forward to. It consisted of four hours of Georgian language class and then two plus hours of managing a summer camp for (40) children – ages 3 to 18 at the school in Osiauri, as well as at least another hour of wrap up and planning for the next day’s camp.  I was not a happy camper.  In any event, as I was sitting I heard noises and could not figure out what it was. We hear rosters, chickens, cows and donkeys all the time, but this was different. As I started to look around I noticed ducks coming around the corner. As they rounded the corner they got louder and louder and I bet there must have been a couple of dozen of them. What a sight!  All the ducks were white with the exception for one. It was still basically white but it was a little darker, sort of tan. They were walking so close together and quacking. It just made me laugh out loud. All by myself on the side of the road laughing, what a vision I must have been. Then a woman came into view who was talking to the ducks (I am sure, in Georgian). I just wanted to run out and give those duck a hug. It was just incredible.  The ducks were walking in the middle of the road and when I saw my marsh coming I heard the woman holler to the ducks and they moved to the right hand side of the road, I bet to avoid the marsh. It was just amazing. I didn’t want to get in the marsh, I wanted to stay and watch and walk with the ducks. Ok, after that my day became lighter and brighter! All day I could see the ducks and it made all the heavy thoughts of my day disappear. This was the first time I’ve seen ducks in the village. I know for sure that it is a sight I would not see in the city. Now, that is my duck story and I am sticking to it. J

I also want to share with you a couple of web site you may be interested in checking out. When I go into a new city, I always take the “City Bus Tour.” I feel that it gives me an overview of the city and it helps me get my bearing as to where I am and where I want to go. So, here are the links to the city bus tours in Tbilisi. I know I will use one or both of these agencies once I move to my permanent location.

http://hoponhopoff.ge/en

http://www.city-sightseeing.com/tours/gerogia/tbilisi.htm.

Sighnaghi - სიღნაღი

Here is another piece of good news for me. The “Town of Love” is in the Kakheit region of Georgia, which so happens to be the region that I will be living in. I checked on google and the distance between my new city (Sagarejo) and (Sighnaghi) is only about 32 miles. Now, when you factor in that is in “Georgian miles” it may take a couple of hours to get there, but it is doable. Maybe nice for a long or short weekend stay. It seems like it has lots of great hotels and things to do. This will be a “must” on my travel list.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sighnaghi

Ok, Faithful Readers…..Really tired and need to prepare for a full day of classes in Khashuri tomorrow. All the best to everyone out there reading my blog!

Catherine Lawrence, G14 – 7/9/14

Note: The contents of this blog is mine personally and does not reflect any position of the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps.