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 (8th 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
1st 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.
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 1st
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 15th, here in Georgia, is known as
the “Day of Love”. Of course in the United States April 15th 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 15th,
he married the 1st 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 1st. 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 23rd; 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 1st 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 14th
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
