Blog, July 20^th, 2014

Hello, My Faithful Readers:

I don’t know where to start! It has been a whole week since I last left you. It seems so appropriate that today is the anniversary of the Moon Landing; as I feel that I am also in a different world. Of course, Georgia is not an alien world as is the moon, but more and more I know I am not in Kansas anymore.  The BIG NEWS is that I am officially a “Peace Corps Volunteer.”

Volunteer - მოხალისე; Mokhalise

 As you have been reading, my PST (Pre-Service Training) was very difficult for me on so many levels. At times I really didn’t know if I was going to make it or even if I wanted to make it. Very often I thought about leaving; as I questioned what I was doing here, in the PC, when I could be in my home town with all the luxuries one could ask for. 

Well, maybe those kinds of questions are built into the process of becoming a Peace Corps Volunteers, maybe, but it is because of the answers that resulted from those questions made it clear to me that I wanted to stay and serve with the Peace Corps here in Georgia. The clarity that resulted, I believe, will make this experience deeper and more satisfying as I don’t have any doubt this is where I should be.  Now, as time goes forward I will probably moan and groan about something; for example, the heat, the walking up my mountain to get home, the cold – I could go on, but you get the picture. However, those complaints (well, maybe not complaints but one of the ways to share my challenges) are not meant to question why I am here, but as I said to share what is happening.

My permanent address here in Georgia.

Catherine Lawrence

C/O- Nodar Dreidze

Satave Street, 2nd Turn, House #4a

3801 Sagarejo,

Republic of Georgia

So, let me back track a bit and fill you in on activities and events that led up to this moment. Leading up to graduation, we had to go to Borjomi to apply for our residency cards.  In order to do that, we needed to meet with a notary in Borjomi, with our passports, and sign a bunch of documents. It was only about a 30-minute drive from Khashuri. The process was really effortless as the Peace Corps staff had everything setup for us. So, in and out of the office and we were free for a couple of hours to explore Borjomi. If you goggle the name lots of information will come up. I was so impressed with this town.  It is a resort town that I know that I will visit again while here in Georgia. It is just beautiful. I am told that the mountains that you see are the Lesser Caucasus mountain range. It is worth your time to check it out. I think they are known for their mineral waters. I have so much more to learn. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borjomi

Borjomi (Georgian: ბორჯომი)

is a resort town in south-central Georgia with a population estimated at 14,445. It is one of the districts of the Samtskhe-Javakheti ...

I spent part of my free time in the Bank of Georgia trying to get my bank card activated. Also, I wanted to setup an internet banking account as that is how Peace Corps will now pay us and through us our host families. It did take some time as the only person who spoke English was limited and my Georgian is not great; but, somehow we got it done. However (as an aside) when I tried the bank card, it worked. The bank knows me as “Mr. Lawrence.”  However, my codes for my internet on-line account didn’t work. So, I need to go back and get that figured out. I thought there might be a problem as the bank staff filled in my pass codes when the account was being setup, so I was not clear if I was clear in giving the pass code. Oh well, it will get fixed – but, moving in the right direction. After the bank, I met up with a group of volunteers and we sat beneath the Lesser Caucasus and had coffee. It was a tranquil setting with outside tables and umbrellas. The sun was going down, the air was cool and we had green grass under our feet (the grass in Osiauri is for cow grazing, not sitting on). I know I felt so comfortable. Finally seeing the Lesser Caucasus was a thrill for me - majestic. The conversation was flowing and easy. It was lots of fun and I know I was not ready to leave. But, as trainees we need to be back in our villages by 7:00pm, so back home we went.

The next big event was our oral language test. In order to make the language mark in the Peace Corps you need to attain the level of intermediate low. Well, I knew that was not going to happen. That level comes only after reaching Novice low, medium and high. My first test was novice low, so I know I was going to be happy to go up one notch to Novice Medium. After I was switch into a different language class I felt so much better and I knew that I improved, so I was not afraid J to take the test.

The test is verbal with one of the language teachers. I walked away knowing that I did better than my first test. And, as expected I did go up a notch to Novice Medium. I will have to continue learning in order to meet the goal of intermediate low; so I will get a tutor and have individual classes twice a week – each class being 60-90 minutes. Whew, that is a far cry from the four hours every day (six days a week) of language class during PST with 20-somethings that have more proficiency than I had and also most had at least another foreign language under their belt. I feel that I am on solid ground and I don’t think there will be any problem making the mark when I next test in November. (Stay Tuned for on-going results )J.

At that point, our trainee requirements were complete. I know we were all relieved, as I know I was. We now had a day and a half to finish packing and get ready to move to our permanent site as well as say good-by to our host families. The luggage is like nothing else. We all knew we came in with a lot of luggage, but during our three months in training we had acquired more and the PC gave us more stuff. The question was - how to fit it all into our luggage and honestly how to get it to our permanent sites. The marsh’s don’t have a lot of carrying room like the big greyhound buses do. It was an on-going conversation and worry among the volunteers.  

The next event was the Farewell Dinner. What a wonderful event. Most of us got dressed up and away we went. It was held in Khashuri, actually not far from my village. Dinner was excellent. The food just kept coming. Kinda like a buffet but without the line. It was a sit down dinner. There was not enough room on the table for the varieties of food. After dinner there was an activity (cannot be the PC without an activity J).  We were given a certificate of completion packet from the PC for ourselves and one for our host families. Each volunteer picked a packet and then had to give the packet to the volunteer and say something nice or complimentary about that person. This was all done as a group and it was indeed a lovely activity. One—by-one as the packets were given out, there was laughter, hugs, crying and everything in-between. After that, dessert! And then the talent show. There were songs and a terrific magic show by one of the guys in our group. There was a skit that spoofed one of the language coaches, which was so funny. Out of context; however, it may not translate – but trust me, we were all doubled over with laughter. It was such a relief to have that kind of outlet after the 11 weeks of serious training. At the end, we played “Ra Ra Rasputin “on the marsh radio and we all went outside to dance. I did post a link to the song in my last post, so if you have not taken a listen you still can. This was our “theme song” traveling the highways in Georgia. It is a real HOOT!

Ah, home at last and to finish packing and talking with our host family. It will be very sad for me to leave them. They have been GREAT to me. The morning that I left my host grandmother was so upset, as was I. We were both crying as we were trying to get the luggage out the gate to get to the marsh. There was not a lot of time for a long good-by (thank goodness). I hope at some point while I am here in Georgia to go back and visit. We shall see.

Graduation day has finally arrived. The marsh picked me up at 7:05am and we were off to Tbilisi by 7:30am. The ride was very quiet. I know I was in deep thought about events that had happened and what was before me. I know I’ve said this numerous times but I still cannot get my head around living here in Georgia. When I factor in that it will be for “two years” it just still does not feel real, and yet I know it is very real. We arrived in Tbilisi. I believe it was the hottest day so far that I’ve experienced in Georgia (or maybe my blood pressure) was pumping due to the anxiety of all this.

In any event, the ceremony was at the Medical Center, which is next door to the Peace Corps Office. All the staff, the language coaches, the education coaches, the marsh drivers and of course all the volunteers (maybe other folks that I’ve not mentioned (sorry)) made their way to the auditorium. Host families, both current and future, were invited.  In addition, many of the G12 and G13 volunteers were in attendance, as well as volunteers from years past who still live in Georgia came to the event. I bet there were 300 people in the auditorium. We, the trainees, were on the stage. It was so overwhelming that even sitting here writing I am feeling the emotion of it all. The PC staff led us through the events as they would happen. The ceremony would start at HIGH noon (12:00pm – Georgia Time) and it would last about 2-1/2 hours. There was no AC and it was hot, but we all used our program to fan ourselves.

The program began with remarks from the PC Country Director in English and then was translated into Georgian by our Training Manager. We also had a brief speech from three representatives of our group of trainees. Some of the trainees sang the Georgian and the American National Anthems. It was a moment! Then, the US Ambassador Richard Norland, swore us in. I have listed below the oath that we took in order to become Volunteers. We had to repeat after him and I know for myself, and for some people around me, we had lumps in our throat trying to speak the words. It was joyous and overwhelming.  Our Program Director’s then called each of our names out and we stood up. Because there are so many of us we each place the Peace Corps pin on our lapels. The auditorium just went wild with applause. What a moment!

After the oath we took a break and went to a lovely reception outside of the auditorium. All kinds of pastry, a fabulous cake, soda, coffee and water were served. During the reception I met up with my new host mother and the woman who will be my school Director in Sagarejo. I was so thrilled that came to the event. In addition my host father, who is a police officer in Tbilisi arrived. He left work to come to the event. I was so impressed . In addition, the two women I interviewed with during my visit to ETAG (English Teachers Association of Georgia) also came to the event. I had been communicating with them both to thank them for their time during the interview and in the email I sent invited them to the Peace Corps graduation. I was so happy and surprised that they came as I know that I will have a close association with this organization during my time in Georgia.  As you can see, it just kept unfolding and getting better and better as the day went on. After the reception we were entertained by Georgian Dancers and singers doing traditional dances and songs and also in traditional costumes. It was amazing and I plan to seek them out and view another performance. It was great.

So, the day was complete. We found our luggage trucks and my host father brought the car around. He was supposed to take us all to the marsh hub, but he ended up driving us all the way home to Sagarejo. That was really a big deal as he was supposed to go back to work after the event. Instead, he drove us home and then drove back to Tbilisi and worked until the next afternoon. The Georgian people are so kind. It was a relief to have a ride home as I was so tired and hot I could have fallen asleep in the car.

Ok, I have written so much and have yet to tell about arriving in Sagarejo and my new host family and location. I will leave that for the next blog.

Thanks so much, My Faithful Readers. I now REALLY begin Peace Corps Service. So thrilled and thankful that this opportunity has been given to me and that I am well enough to maintain the rigor of it all.

All the best, Catherine, G14 – 7/20/14

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

Peace Corps Volunteer Oath:

I,____________(name) do solemly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, domestic or foreign, that I take this obligation freely. And without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. And that I will well and faithfully discharge my duties in the Peace Corps, so help me God.

Me in Tbilisi, In case you forgot what I looked like (smiles). I could not figure out how to turn it around (sorry)!

Blog, Sunday - July 13^th, 2014

Hello, My Faithful Readers:

One morning this week, as I was leaving the house, I happened to look up as the sky was so blue. Was I surprised to see “Grapes” growing on the vines above my head.  I have never seen grapes growing. I always just go to the store and buy them. It was such a surprise to see green grapes so close that I could reach up and touch them or pick a bunch off the vines. Of course, they are not yet ready (too small) and I really don’t know if the family eats them or uses them to make wine. I won’t know the answer to that as after next week I won’t be here. I will be moving to my permanent site. My new host family also has vines growing overhead, so maybe I will be able to see how harvest goes in Sagarejo.  I know this is information My Faithful Readers will want to know!

I’ve listed a link to a song you might enjoy hearing. It is played here in Georgia on CD players by some of the drivers that take us back and forth. I was tickled by this song, as I’ve never heard it (although I am told its from the 70’s or 80’s – I must have missed it J). It is called “Ra-Ra-Rasputin” By ABBA. Check it out if you would like!  Especially with our neighbors (to the NORTH) so close by, it adds a tickle (you know who I mean). I think a German Groups also sings a version of the song and I know it is on utube.

http://val.fm/ra-ra-rasputin-abba-mp3/

Well, the Summer Camp is complete and overall it was successful. I know I wrote that I was not looking forward to it; however, it was not too bad. It was exhausting (I think that is a given) as we had between 40 and 50+ children each day of the three day camp. There were six volunteers plus a few teachers and parents to help out, and let me tell you that we needed every adult that we could find. The children ranged in ages from 5 to 18 years – so there were multiple adult teams to handle the activities to entertain the various age groups. A big focus of the camp was to do activities that required using English in the activities. The Georgian children love to dance so we danced. This gave them practice with English directions. They danced to a line dance that they had to go “left” and then “right” and “back and forth.” Well, you get the idea. It helps the children with English directions.  We also had water balloon toss, frisbee toss, dodge ball and the centerpiece of the camp was the making of Pinata’s.  One day the children plastered paper onto balloons with paste (flour and water). Overnight drying and the next day broke the balloons and screamed with joy as the candy fell from the sky.   Lots of additional games were played in order to fill up the two hour camp. It does not seem like a long time to conduct a camp but my body certainly knew it had been entertaining children for that period. (Advil is my friend). So many aspects of the camp are a challenge. For example, we needed to give the children a water break after an hour of activity and that proved a problem as they turn the water off in the school after 2pm. Since the camp didn’t start until 3pm and that meant that water had to be carried from one of the host family houses and none of those houses are close by. Very few things in Georgia are easy. After the camp was over the volunteers met to go over the next day’s schedule to determine that all was in order. This camp was held in the afternoon and we were lucky that the weather held. It was hot, but there was some shade around the school. I don’t think the Georgian children have access to summer organized activities such as those that we organized.  All total with prep time and breakdown, clean-up, and after meeting times – it ended up to be a four hour endeavor each day.

We recently had a dance class at our training site here in Khashuri. It was part of our overall meeting day and it was a welcomed relief to the day of technical meetings. I am going to include a utube link so you can view the dance, as I know I would not be able to describe it on the blog. This was a hands-on, or maybe better feet-on experience J. The dance teachers separated us, men on one side and women on the other, and practiced parts of the dance. At a given point, the men and women came together and acted out our given roles in the dance. It was awesome. The women use their arms a lot during the dance and the men use their whole body. It is very strenuous doing the Georgian Dances, like an aerobic workout – but lots of fun. There was also a demonstration by two young men. I would imagine that they are students of the dance instructor. They performed for us and it was something to see. Although the woman appears to be a bride, she is not. The dance is performed at a lot of weddings but it is not a wedding dance. The man in the dance is pursuing the woman, and that is what the dance is about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHv57kZadsM

ცეკვა ქართული | Georgian Folk Dance - QarTuli

There was a full moon on Saturday evening.  It was just beautiful. It so reminded me of home as my window at home faces the east so I see the moon come up in the evening. Here in Osiauri it was the first moon I’ve seen. There has not been a lot of time to gaze out of windows. When I get home I usually collapse into bed and would not be able to see the moon – so last evening was a treat to see the moon.

This is the last week of PST as on Friday we go to Tbilisi to graduate and become official volunteers. It will be a busy week but different than what we have been experiencing these past 10 weeks. We have one final language class and then the next day we have a language oral test. My last test I was rated as “Novice Low.” So I am hoping that maybe I moved up a notch to “Novice Mid.” We shall see. I do feel that I have learned a lot, especially since I was able to change classes; however, I am still struggling with the language. I imagine that will be on an on-going conversation throughout; but, I am will to struggle and capture as much as I can. 

Sometimes I have dreams about the language, as it is such a big part of our day. I dream that I am running and Georgian letters are hitting me, for example: once a georgian “ე” which is ‘e’ hit me, I would grow “ი” which is ‘i’, I would grow an “eye”. I guess you could say the language has been on my mind J.

We need to pack up all our belonging and leave for Tbilisi early Friday morning. Tbilisi is where the ceremony is for graduation and then from that point we head out to our permanent sites. This week will be my last days in Osiauri. All of it is bittersweet, as village life has sure been different. I will look back on the experience with fondness but I won’t miss Mr. MUD J. I will miss the ducks, especially since I’ve not seen them since last week.  It will be great to settle in, as here in Osiauri has been temporary. I will miss my host family here in Osiauri. They have been wonderful to me. I will post a photo of my host brother and sister at the end of the blog that was taken at the place where we are picked up by the marsh. I will also miss the marsh, as from graduation onward, I need to find my own transportation. The Peace Corps won’t provide transportation any longer.

I will be posting my permanent address in Sagarejo at some point in the near future, but always available and welcome email and comments on the blog. I know I will reflect more on my time here in Kashuri and Osiauri as time goes forward.

Take care, Faithful Readers. If not before, then I will write once I reach my permanent site with photographs of the mountain I will be living on as well as a blow-by-blow description of graduation (tears and all J)!

Photo of me and my host brother and sister where the marsh picks us up. And a photo of the entrance to the house that I live in. You can see the steps that I have to go up to get to my room.

All the best, Catherine Lawrence, G14 – 7/13/14

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

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.

Blog, July 6, 2014

Hello, My Faithful Readers:

We had our evacuation drill last week. The EAP, the Emergency Action Plan, provides the framework for Peace Corps volunteers to evacuate the country in the event of a natural disaster or a political unrest within the country.

To begin, at 6:40am last Thursday, I received a call from my Language Coach telling me that all volunteers needed to be at the consolidation point as quickly as possible. This kind of message would infer that there is a strong possibility that due to certain situations we may need to evacuate the country. We were also told to bring our “GO” bag. That is the bag that will contain any and all necessary items we would need in order to leave the country. Some examples would be passports, money, medications, clothing, phone, chargers – things that would be necessary if we had to leave Georgia and live in another location for a period of time.  The consolidation point would be, in this scenario, the Khashuri school that we do our training in. The Peace Corps was not going to send transportation for us. It was up to us to find our own way to the location. The kicker is we really didn’t know if this was FOR REAL, or was it a drill. We had to operate like it was FOR REAL.

I was a little prepared as my “GO” bag was sort-of ready, so I just had to put the finishing touches into the bag. Out the door I went and took my village marsh to the consolidation point. When I arrived I realized that it was a drill as the Peace Corps had a breakfast layout (instant coffee, tea, fruit and pastry) for us and we were being clocked as to how long it took us to get to Khashuri, which was the consolidation point. It was an upsetting as well as interesting start to the morning! I arrive in Khashuri at 8:15am. We were told from the start of the drill, when the first call went out to evacuate at 6:30am, until we were all safely arrived at the consolidation point, 8:30am, was a really impressive time for (57) volunteers to come in from all points east and west of Khashuri using transportation that was not Peace Corps. Some volunteers used the marsh, others took a taxi or requested a ride from their host families and yet other volunteers walked to the consolidation point. If it was real, at that point the Peace Corps would have evacuated us either to Armenia or Azerbaijan (I think), depending on a variety of factors. Since we didn’t have to evacuate we had breakfast and then sat down for a full day of meetings.

Since evacuation was a topic of conversation, at that point we were all given our evacuation orders should we need to leave the country when we get to our permanent sites (for me: Sagarejo). I would need to find my way to Telavi, which is about two hours from my permanent site of  Sagarejo. We know who our leader will be (also referred to as “Warden”) and exactly who I will be traveling with. My group will consist of twelve other volunteers who are living in the same region. I must say that I am impressed with the amount of detail and pre-planning that goes into all this. If anything does happen, I know that we will be well taken care of.

Ok, enough about evacuation. Wanted to share something I remembered about Tbilisi that I thought was unusual. While we were on one of the buses in Tbilisi I noticed that there was a man going up and down the aisle collecting money. Was he a beggar (he was dressed nicely) or what was his role on the bus? Since I was in the back of the bus and one of my traveling mates was going to pay for me, I didn’t notice if there was a fare box or not. Well, obviously not, as this man was collecting money for the ride. The bus was so crowded and yet he seemed to know who paid and who did not. After you paid, he gave you a little receipt. He was even making change if you didn’t have exact fare.  I thought about the regional trains we have in Philadelphia and the suburbs, as that is how they collect the fare on the trains. But, on a moving city bus it seemed unusual. I am not sure if this happens on all the buses as on one other bus I was on had a fare box.  Another interesting point was that the bus had THREE doors (front, back and middle). The extra door made getting on and off fast and easy. I think the USA should look at the THREE door model, especially on heavily used lines (now I am making policy (smiles).

Georgia will now be integrated into the EU internal market, the worlds’ largest. As for me, being here in Georgia at this time – well let me quote something that I found on the topic.

“The months ahead will require major efforts on the Georgian side, as it will have to adopt and implement hundreds of regulations on rule of law, justice, human rights and labour rights. It will have a profound impact on the whole society and it would require structural reforms, capacity building in its institutions,” says Mr Iarochevitch . Boris Iarochevitch, deputy head of the EU delegation in Georgia, says the EU has had assurances from Russia it will not interfere in the process – “although you never know,” he adds.

As I will be here in Georgia for the next two years, I may get to see how this would unfold. Looking forward to that. 

The 4^th of July has come and gone. The Peace Corps celebrated by having a picnic in the traditional 4^th of July fashion. The ONLY things missing were the BBQ grill and fireworks, but neither missing item took anything away from the day. We spent the afternoon at a picnic site that had a covered pavilion with sofa like chairs. There were not that many picnic tables, but nobody seemed to mind. All of the PC G14’s (me) were invited as well as the PC staff and one or two members from our host families. There must have been 200 people in attendance. The food was hamburgers and hotdogs (of course on buns). We had REAL mustard (we were all happy about that).  Pringles (the chip) was in the house (smiles) and of course REAL coke and pepsi and water. Georgian’s are not big on ICE and brother do I miss it. It was a hot day so most of us were trying to find shelter from the sun.

The day was organized around arrivals and food for the first hour. Getting to the place was a challenge as we had to walk over a foot bridge (that moved a little) and we were dodging the remains of the cows that had just crossed before us (part of life in Georgia). The water below looked so tempting. I know I am not the only one who wanted to jump in but there were lots of rocks in the water (kinda white water, so to speak). It was beautiful to watch the water flow quickly over the rocks. The surrounding scenery was just breath taking. There was nothing around as far as the eye could see. It was a spectacular day. Not a cloud in the sky. The hills/mountains were so green and lush. Rolling hills that just went on and on.  The picnic area was on a hill, so we were looking down at the valley below us.  

After the foot bridge we had to climb up the hill and there was no railing or even indentations so that our feet could grab onto the ground. The area was half grass and half little stones that were slippery. We were all grabbing onto one another trying to get up. At the time we had fellow volunteers who had already made it to the top cheering us on with American flags. The picnic area was big enough for the multitudes of people and even had enough room to play “tug of war”, water balloon toss, 3 legged races and other games. Frisbees and American footballs were tossed about. It was fun. There were people painting faces, so just about everyone had an American flag or a Georgian flag, so some other festive design painted on their faces, arms and legs.  The Georgian children I think had the best time. They said they really liked“America’s Birthday”.

დაბადების დღე

dabadebis dghe

"birthday" in Georgian

After the games came the Cake and Ice Cream. This cake looked like a wedding cake. It was so big it covered the whole table.  Remember this cake had to feed 200 people. It was like a strawberry short cake, delicious. Before we cut the cake we sang the American National anthem and then they passed around sparklers as well as shot off some of these confetti poppers that shoot stars and other color type of confetti into the air. Everyone was hugging and singing and waiting for cake! I tell you every inch of cake was eaten.

The day was a success. We all got to have conversations with folks that because of our tight schedule we don’t get to talk too often or ever. It was fun also to speak in Georgian. Everyone is generous as most times we don’t say it correct; but many of the host families now speak a little English – so we all get by. We waited to the marsh to come and take us home and then to bed. I was exhausted being out in the sun all day (and I was not even running around). We walked the road back to home in Osiauri with balloon hats and the kind of horns that you get at new years. We looked like a parade coming down the road. We always seem to come home with the cows (smiles).

ნაყინი

naqini

"ice cream" in Georgian

So, at the beginning of this blog I promised some information about upcoming events as we will be graduating and becoming “Official Volunteers” on July 18^th, 2014. I’ve heard that the ceremony will take place in Tbilisi, I think at one of the University of Tbilisi buildings. The US Georgian Ambassador will be swearing us in. Along with all the volunteers we can invite our current host families as well as our soon to be new permanent site host families. Again, a cast of thousands will attend! We will also have the evening before a “Farewell Dinner.”  At some point we are going to Borjomi to see a notary officer (not sure what that is about) and we are also going to have our PST exit interview with the Georgian PC Country Director.

Next week will be a hard week for me because we will have Georgian classes five of the six days. I hold on to the fact that these classes are coming to an end. In addition, we volunteers have to develop and conduct a summer camps for the children in our village. It is a three day program and each day requires two hours of activities each day. The challenge is we have really no budget for this and have no idea how many children will show up. Sometimes there are 15 and it could go to 60, or more. Of course there are six volunteers trying to run the programs, but I am not looking forward to it.

I am going to close but wanted to let you know that I think my next book will be “Moby Dick.” For some reason which I am sure will become clearer to me as I begin to read the book (it is my first time reading it).

Thanks so much for your interest in my adventure. Feel free to post comments (good or bad), I would love to hear from people back in the OLD COUNTRY.

Best, Catherine Lawrence, G14 – 7/6/14

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

Blog, July 2^nd, 201

Hello My Faithful Readers:

Volunteer - მოხალისე; Mokhalise

I am not officially a “Volunteer” (not until July 18^th); however, my current host grandmother calls me by this name “Mokhalise.” Maybe she has since the day I arrived, but it was not until recently that I recognized the term. Since I’ve been complaining about the language lessons since I arrived, I wanted to balance things by saying that things have improved a little for me. Now, I am still so far behind, but I am beginning to recognize phrases and actually use Georgian -  ქართველი - Kartveli  while I am out and about. Sometimes I even surprise and impress myself; but it is short lived as usually right behind my confidence another situation arises and I am totally clueless J

I think the change may be due to either my old brain is finally catching on; or, maybe because I am in a new Georgian Class. The new teacher is as good as my old teacher; absolutely. However, I think either the classes are a little slower or maybe I can concentrate more. As I said, this new class has LIGHT, so I can see without using the flashlight on my cell phone. Also, I don’t have to worry about managing the bathroom as the new location has indoor facilities almost right outside the classroom. It’s a relief not to have to consider walking down a flight of steps and go outside behind the school to the outhouse. Whatever the reason, it is a little better.

This is not without cost; however. I now have the following schedule:

-The Marsh picks me up on the road in Osiauri and we go to Khashuri

-After class, the Marsh comes back to Khashuri and returns me to Osiauri for lunch

-After lunch, the Marsh comes and takes all (6) of us back to Khashuri for training

-After training, we return to Osiauri.

Whew, at times I wonder where I am. It is not enough that it is a 10+ hour day, but when you throw in the travel – at times I feel like I am operating at warp speed J. The Peace Corps has invested a great deal and I am proud that they think I am worth it. This kind of a schedule is also incorporated for a few other volunteers so I have not been singled out. I know they want us to succeed.  I’ve said all along, “You really have to want being a Peace Corps Volunteer.” This is not an easy gig to get or to maintain. Even if you want it (like me) it takes strength from all the muscles that your body and mind can muster.

I will get off the language, but first I wanted to say that almost the ENTIRE class is now conducted in “Georgian.” I don’t get all of it, but I understand a word here or there and get the “gist” of what she is saying.  Sometimes we learn words that are translated in both Georgian and Russian. Lots of folks speak Russian here. As if, learning one new language was not enough!  Just when I think that I am at capacity; the PC throws another challenge at us and you either sink or swim. So far, I am still swimming. My head is either totally above the water or the water is right near the top of my chin.  I know this will benefit me; however, when I was in Sagarejo nobody really wanted to talk to me in Georgian. They all wanted to speak in English. Now, maybe that is because they knew I really was not fluent or even remedial in the language; but, learning English is so important that the natives will take every opportunity to practice.

The World Cup is really big here. I joke around and ask if this is the sport with the “puck?” I cannot tell you the kinds of looks that I get. I must be careful as they all, including the PC folks, take this very serious and that is all I am going to say J

Please - tu sheidzleba  

Because - იმიტომ, რომ  Imitom rom

I like the above vocabulary, just threw them in for good measure.

I wanted to give you a little more information about my new permanent location. First, a couple of people think I am going to Sarajavo, the capital of  Bosnia. Maybe the Olympics were held here a little while ago? However, that is not where I am going. I will be living in Sagarejo, which is in the EASTERN part of the Republic of Georgia.  

So, yesterday we went to Tbilisi. It was a full day; in that, we left Khashuri on the 8:00am Marsh and didn’t get home last night until 8:00pm. In one world, Tbilisi reminds me of many of the European cities that I have been in.

We started the day by renting a private van. There were (7) of us, so we were able to fill it up. It was a very smooth ride and comfortable (much better than a marsh). The travel time was about 90 minutes. There is very little traffic on the highway. The cars go so fast, passing each other on the left and right. At times one really needs to just close your eye and remember that this is the way it is done in Georgia. J  We arrived at “Didube” which is the Marsh hub for traffic coming into Tbilisi from the East. If one word could describe this location it would “Chaos.” It is a large parking lot, so to speak, that has all kinds of cars, vans and marsh’s lined up in no particular order. As you walk through, it reminds me of an “open flea market”, but install of stalls you have vehicles. Of course, you walk on non-paved roads – so you are dealing with rocks, mud, dirt, water and everything in-between. All the while the drivers are calling out placed that they are traveling to. They are looking for customers as the marsh won’t go until it is filled. They have the name of the destination in the front window of the marsh.  The marsh only goes into the bigger cities and towns. Once in Khashuri I will need to take my local marsh back to Osiauri. However, after the last marsh leave Khashuri at 5:30pm, I would need to take a cab.

Khashuri (Georgian: ხაშური) 

The “Didube” metro entrance was very near where the van arrived. We walked through the mass of vehicles, many that were moving through the crowd and lots people walking around selling everything from underwear to fruit.  Arriving at the entrance to the metro we found our way to the ticket counter where we put money on our metro card.  There is a cost for the card; however, a couple of the G12’s who were leaving the country gave me their old cards (and some even had money on it). The metro station is modern. I felt like I was in any big city, both in USA and abroad, that has a metro system. The sounds of the metro almost reminded me of Washington, DC. I was really starting to feel at home. The metro system is not big.  http://metroscheme.com/img/tbilisi.gif

We had to take one train line and then transfer to the other train line. It was very

Confusing as the signage was mostly in Georgian, but one of the volunteers with us had done this before so she was somewhat familiar. As part of the Tbilisi trip we had to find the Peace Corps Office and we did! After you get off at the Medical Center stop, you have to walk about 5 long blocks. The street that the PC office is on reminds me of New York. I don’t know how many car lanes there are really, as at times it looks like there are At least five cars, vans or marsh’s driving along the road that spans from sidewalk to sidewalk.   Of course they are all going so fast and people are actually trying to get across the street in-between all this traffic. It is a REAL city, and I love it.

The Peace Corps Office is really nice. You do have to go through a metal detector and sign in. You also have to go through three doors to enter. It seems very secure.  The office houses all the PC Georgia staff and supporting departments. It is so bright and cheerful. There is a room for volunteers (a lounge) and there is a table with all kinds of things that volunteers don’t want or need anymore. So, you get to take FREE stuff. I took a small brush to clean MR. MUD from my shoes, a container of Ben Gay (Yeah, someone else here is hurting) and some other odds and ends that I cannot remember.  There is also a library with PAPER books that PC volunteers have left for volunteers still in-country. We didn’t have much time to look around the library; but, they did have a bowl of Hershey Kisses (wow, that was nice)! 

After we toured the office, we started off to visit ETAG (English Teachers’ Association of Georgia). www.etag.ge    It was a difficult cab ride to find the office, but when we finally arrived it was at the State University of Tbilisi. We met with the Manager and the Training Coordinator.  They were both lovely women who were full of information to share with us. In addition to the Tbilisi main office, ETAG has eight branches all over Georgia. They provide training programs and research assistance for members. I will consider membership as they have a branch in Telavi which is in the same region I am in. At that point, we got on a BUS. I was so excited. Had no clue as to how much, but the woman at ETAG told us to get on the #88, and so we did. We jumped off when we noticed there was a

WENDY’s out our window. We had lunch (the food WAS GREAT), and then back onto another bus to get back to the PC office. At this point we realized that we were lost. I was so excited, as I like getting lost in new cities, but some of the other volunteers were not happy about it. If it was up to me I would just jump in a cab and get un-lost, but some of the volunteers didn’t have money for a cab. So, we did it the hard way.  (I am just too old to do it the hard way any longer). It was very hot and we were exhausted by the time we got back to the PC office. I was ready to go, but I didn’t want to travel back by myself. I just didn’t have my bearing within the city, so I connected with some volunteers who were going to have a bite to eat before traveling back on the marsh.  We ended up sitting outside and enjoying the city as it unfolded before us and around us. It was a lovely end to the day. We negotiated a cab (as that is how you get a cab in Georgia). You must set the price before you get into the cab. We piled in and headed back to “Didube” to get the marsh back to Khashuri.

It was a full day and I am sure I left many interesting things out, but my Faithful Readers you will be hearing more about Tbilisi as time goes forward. I will only be about 40 minutes away (by marsh) from Tbilisi, so I plan to visit the city as often as I can. My sense of the city is that it is BIG and I am not even sure that I got into the heart of the city.

We are getting ready for the 4^th of July picnic. I am really looking forward to that.  I wanted to let you know, if case you were wondering, that here in Georgia it is time to harvest the garlic. I have about 40 dozen, maybe more, cloves of garlic outside my window. I was wondering why my eyes were watering and then I found the garlic. The first day was bad, but now it seems to have eased a little. I’ve seen the garlic at other houses in the village. So, I am thinking everyone is doing the same. I wonder what they do with it so that they can have it all winter. I am just so not farm material. Oh, Well…..I am a city gal.

More over the weekend…hope you enjoyed my initial travels in Tbilisi.

I was able to post a picture of the G14 Peace Corps, Yipee. I am very proud of myself. I Have some pictures I will post as soon as I can figure out how to download from my camera. Patience....I am trying to come into the 20th century :-)

Best, Catherine, G14 – 7/2/14

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