August 16th, 2018
Volume 2, Number 11
My thinking was to end
the blog; however, I am going only to “suspend” it. Ah, I know that language
can be structured to mean anything; but, I don’t feel that this part of my life
is ending. What I mean by that is even though I don’t plan to reside in Georgia
at any time in the future; I do plan to live internationally. Where that location
will be remains to be seen and at that point I will awaken the BLOG! J
My plan even here in
Georgia was to use my apartment in Tbilisi as a home base and move around
living in various countries for the time that a visa is allowed for. Usually
the visa for so many countries is for 90 days; and that amount of time would
give me a taste (just a little taste); but, for the moment that amount of time
is OK. I can still implement my plan in Philadelphia; thereby using my condo as
a base. So, my plan is still viable.
I just don’t know
where I belong any longer. I thought it was here in Georgia; where initially I
saw so much potential and opportunity that I just don’t see feasible more. I’ve
written about the why’s and wherefore’s of why I think that, so I don’t want to
rehash it all again. Needless to say that clarity came after spending 4-1/2
years here.
I am grateful for this
opportunity that the Peace Corps opened for me here as a volunteer and then the
continuation living here in Georgia as an Ex-pat. I need to say that many of my
dreams were realized while living in Georgia. I am also excited about what the
future holds and to fulfill the dreams that I have left to realize.
Before Peace Corps I
could have predicted how my days, months, years would be spent (and where I
would spend them). Honestly, I just don’t know at this point what is next. I
have some ideas and some of them even surprise me. So, My Faithful Readers this
saga will continue at some point.
During my last days
here in Tbilisi I did something that was so uncharacteristic of who I know
myself to be. I’ve been thinking of doing this now since I left the Peace Corps;
but, didn’t know “what to say or where to say it”. I had a tattoo placed on my
left leg, near the ankle on the inside.
While I was traveling my
answers came to light as to the “what to say and where to say it”. As my life is about to change, once again, I
realized that the symbolism of the Butterfly was a visual that will help me go
forward.
Of course, there are
many meanings to this symbol; but, what most resonated with me is the symbol of
Resurrection. In addition, Endurance, Change, Hope and Life, intangible
attributes, that provide courage and strength.
I wanted to do this in
Krakow and Prague; but it was so hot and there were lines of people waiting to
go into the Tattoo Shop. I did find a place here in Tbilisi; and so the
adventure begins. I found the tattoo of choice on the internet and sent it to
the artist. He in turn made a stencil of it. He gave me three different sizes.
He said the largest of the three was the best; so I took his advice. If I had
to do over again I would have chosen the smaller (middle size) and I would have
made it not so dark. I didn’t realize until later that I only wanted a light
outline (ok, live and learn). What I got was better than a fire breathing
dragon (HA)
However, it is fine
the way it is. I am still getting used to having it. I look down sometimes and
think there is dirt on my leg (HA). There was a little discomfort; but it only
took all of 5 minutes. 100 Gel ($38.00 USD) – have no idea if this is a good price;
but I didn’t care really about the money.
I am told that Tattoo’s
are forever; but, seriously – there is nothing that is forever. It was, and yet, another experience and that
is my focus and has been my focus. I want to experience everything that I can
and this was just another manifestation of that.
What I will miss about Georgia
-August is the BEST
month here in Georgia. Of course it is hot and humid; but Tbilisi is empty. I
will miss this. Most city families go to the villages where it is a little
cooler; and by so doing the city is less congested.
-I will miss going to
the world class concerts here. I have so enjoyed all the various venues that
the city supplies and even better the concerts are so inexpensive, if not free.
-I will miss some of
the relationships that I built here. Of course we will stay in touch with email
and such; but, not the same thing as real time interaction.
-I will miss my
apartment. I love living at tree top level.
What I will not miss about Georgia
-I won’t miss the
food. I know Georgia’s reputation is for delicious food (and I have written
about various standard foods); but unfortunately just not to my liking.
-I won’t miss the
buses or the metro. Buses that are so crowded (and often times the same for the
metro) that you don’t need to hold on. Just the volume of people squeezed in
will keep you upright.
-I won’t miss the
drilling/power saw/banging that seems to go on endlessly and at all hours
(sometimes until midnight)
-I will not miss the
“wild west” mindset here; were all kinds of guns and automatic weapons are sold
basically in the backyard of Universities. Rules don’t apply here. In fact, the
adage is “the only rule in Georgia is that there are no rules.” People often
just do as they please regardless of how it impacts other people.
-I will not miss the
dog that is my neighbor or the indifference of the Georgian family that allows
this dog to be mistreated.
-I will not miss what
I call “Land Mines” walking. The sidewalks are so ripped up; one reason is that
cars can drive and park on the sidewalks. Pedestrians are an endangered species
here as the car rules. Another is that pipes and assorted other left over
materials are just left in the middle of sidewalks. Danger, Will Robinson.
-I will not miss the
DOGS here in Georgia. I’ve written about this countless times in my blog about
how dogs are mistreated. It says a lot
about the culture as to how it treats its animals.
Cannabis in Georgia…. The Judgment means that there will no longer be
an administrative punishment for the use of marijuana. However, the decision
does NOT allow cultivation and/or selling of Cannabis.
Of course there is more to the judgment; however, what struck me is that if it is ok to smoke it then where can I get it? If I cannot cultivate it or sell it – where does it come from? It is very strange. Link below if you are interested in knowing more.
Of course there is more to the judgment; however, what struck me is that if it is ok to smoke it then where can I get it? If I cannot cultivate it or sell it – where does it come from? It is very strange. Link below if you are interested in knowing more.
My backyard is going
to be renovated here in Georgia. Wow, I think it is really a good time to leave
as what they are planning right outside my window/balcony will take a long,
long, long to complete and the noise and dirt will be terrible.
My terrace looks out
over Mziuri Park and it is truly lovely as really nothing really happens in the
park. Occasionally there are packs of dogs barking; but, here in Georgia that
is common when not in the park. People do walk thru now and then; but basically
it is a very quiet park. If what the link below outlines will happen; well
then, that will change.
Times they are a
changing and like I said my timing may be spot on to leave the country.
Before I close I
wanted to mention a few additional pieces of information about my trip from
Estonia to Prague.
The first is the
sleeper train from Slovakia to Prague. I found it so surprising and sweet that
there Mentos Candy on the pillows of each berth. It was a very small size (like
a sample size); but how sweet. I threw it in my handbag as the train started to
move and a few days later when I was on the plane traveling back to Tbilisi I
found them. It made me smile.
The second is
something that happened in Prague on Wednesday, August 1st. While I was waiting
for my taxi to take me to the airport I heard sirens blasting away outside the
window. I knew they were not police or fire sirens and then seemed to go on for
a long time. I finally asked the desk clerk what was going on.
The man said that on
the first Wednesday of each month they test the air raid sirens in the city. I
didn’t realize that Prague was bombed during WW2 and have listed a link and
information if you want more information. For me it was a cold reminder that
history and memory don’t fade as here we are 73 years later and this city wants
to insure that if the worst happens again they will be forewarned. Scarey.
On
February 14, 1945, the American Air Force carried out an air raid over Prague
which ranks as the most futile attack on Czech territory of the Second World
War. Sixty years later it is still not clear whether the attack was an accident
caused by bad weather conditions and the fact Prague and Dresden looked similar
from the air, or whether it was a deliberate attack.
One final point that I
left out of my paragraph on Auschwitz, We were invited to go into the gas
chamber if we wanted. Again, words fail as I stood in the middle of this large
concrete dark room with holes in the ceilings. I cannot remember if there were
overhead lights; but, I imagine there were; but it sure felt dark. The holes
were for the canisters to be dropped into the room for extermination. The room
was not very high; but the walls captured me thinking of them being used for
support as the gas flooded in.
There was complete
silence; the guide had even stopped talking. We walked out of the room and
passed the crematory and then out into the sunlight and heat. I am sorry that I
didn’t include the above in my narrative blogs on my recent travel; but there
is just so much to share; but, this is an important piece to my experience.
Alright, it is time to
“suspend” the blog. I went today and closed out my bank accounts. The girls at
the bank were sweet as they were sad that I was leaving Georgia. They wanted me
to not close the accounts; but, since I honestly doubt if I will be back here I
didn’t see a point. (I will never say
never)
I’ve put the finishing
touches on my luggage; who, btw…are both under the 50 pound limit. I get (2)
bags with Qatar Air and when I get to the airport I will have both encased in
plastic. Both my bags are under weight but are busting at the seams. The
plastic will insure that during the travel the bag does not break open. It is the first time I’ve done this……
Thank you, My Faithful
Readers for your continued support in keeping up with my adventures. I have a
new plan formulating that will begin in December and stretch through early
April, 2019. I don’t want to share as I don’t have it all flushed out yet; but,
I am very excited about what comes next.
Buy Experience, Not Things
Best, Catherine Lawrence – August 16th,
2018
Laundry in Warsaw, Poland - July 2018
Hanging around in Warsaw :-) - look up
Peace Corps Memories in Sagarejo! 2014
Peace Corps Memories - 2014
2018 Tattoo Shop in Tblisi
The Butterfly, 2018 (my left foot -HA)
