Hello, My Faithful Readers
January
31st, 2017
Volume 1, Number 2
It feels really good being back here in Tbilisi. I
know I complain about the city; but I really missed it. I missed the language;
my apartment, which is called “Bina” in Georgian; my friends - I have lots of
friends here and also many of the details of living in a foreign country. I kinda-of-sort-of missed the transportation
system also – which really surprised me; but, I am only back a couple of weeks
so that could change. J
One thing for certain is that as challenging as the
metro bus and marshrutka “marsh” systems are (meaning shared taxi in Russian);
I was never really hurt on them. Maybe that is because when I travel my guard
is always on high alert. At times the marsh does not fully stop when getting on
and off, the same with the buses – so I am really careful. Also, when riding I
am always holding on - no matter if I am
standing or sitting. I don’t usually talk when traveling as I need to be awake
and aware. It’s not a very relaxing time;
but I’ve always been safe and I get to where I am going.
So, what happened in Philadelphia really surprised
me as I was hurt on a bus the day after I returned to the States. I’ve posted a
picture of me with a black eye as when the bus I was on stopped short; I went
flying and hit my head on the hand rail of one of the seats. You see, I thought
I was safe when I was traveling; obviously not. I was not paying attention as I
was actually having a conversation. These are actions that I would NEVER have taken
in Georgia. As a result; I was hurt. Thank goodness I was not seriously hurt.
The eye looked awful for almost a month; but no real damage was done. Wow, was
I lucky.
I went round and round with the insurance company;
however, in true form the insurance company kept pointing the finger away from
their responsibility onto another vehicle who they claimed had the
responsibility. I have noted in previous
blogs that here in Georgia there is little if any liability; but, in my
situation even though there was liability it sure didn’t mean much. The
aggravation of phone calls and circular conversation exhausted me and frankly,
since I was not really hurt – I just put it aside. I didn’t want my limited
time home to be marred with this.
So, onto more tales from Life 101!
My flight home from Philadelphia to Doha was great.
I really like Qatar Airlines. I’ve flown with them to other places and I have
always been pleased to everything that makes flying comfortable, even though I
was in the air for twelve hours. However, since I cannot fly directly to
Tbililsi; I needed to connect in Doha for a flight to Tbilisi. Now, at times
(and not sure how this is organized) but, the airlines sometimes does not fly
direct from Doha to Tbilisi. At times they stop in Baku and my flight was one
of those times.
I have written an article about the experience (see
below) so I don’t want to rehash the details; but, the short version here is
that there were LIVE FALCONS in the air cabin headed for Baku (about 15 rows
behind me). . I have never seen or read anything about having live stock (that
was not in a carrier type device) in an air cabin with passengers; but, here I
was watching three men coming on-board each with a FALCON on their arms. It was
an experience I won’t soon forget. More details in the article…….
At this point, let me catch you up with some of the
awesome opportunities I’ve had and I am currently experiencing living here in
Tbilisi. So, some of My Faithful Readers who I was able to break bread with
when I was home, will find some of this redundant as I was gushing about all
this during my time in the States.
To begin…I have more opportunities here in Georgia for
work that I ever had in the States. I often say, somewhat seriously, that I
could work 24/7 if I wanted to; but I turn down more jobs than I accept. I am
in a unique position, as a retiree, that I don’t have to work at just anything
to keep body and soul together. I can be very choosy as to how I spend my time,
and WOW, does it feel good.
Some of my friends call me “The Professional
Interviewer”. I love to interview especially since I am not attached to the
outcome. If I get the job, ok – if not, ok also. I like to meet the people and the
organization in order to find out what opportunities exists. It is a lot of fun
for me. Most of the jobs I turn down; but I always tell them that I have
someone who they may also find interesting. The networking is just awesome.
I am working at a Seminar Leader at the University Of
Georgia Law School. This opportunity came about on Face Book; as seriously, so
many job opportunities here in Georgia come about on Face Book. The job
consists of 2 hours a week; and some additional time for preparation as well as
travel to and from the University. I include travel time as the traffic is so
bad in Tbilisi that often times it takes me hours (yes, hours) to get from one
place to another…but, traffic is another story.
My role is to
prepare the students for the lecture they will have with the Law Professors
later in the week. I cover the materials so that they are familiar with vocabulary
and concepts so that the students have some background before the lecture with
the Professor. It is a wonderful 2 hours. By Georgian standards; I am paid
fairly well; but, most of all I like working with University age students. In addition to making them aware of the
materials to prepare them for the lecture; I also fold in real world language
specific to the law and business field. I use idioms and slang; so that outside
of Georgia if someone says, for example, “Do you want a seat at the Table?” –
the students will know that it does not mean going to a restaurant (which is
what they thought it meant).
I’ve listed the web link for the University if you
would like to learn more about this institution; as I could finish this blog
with more detail about this one opportunity alone. But, as time goes forward I
will give more details.
But, I would like to go on to my next adventure
which is working at the British Corner in Tbilisi. This organization is part of the ESU
(English-Speaking Union) that lists 55 countries around the world
participating. The British Corner is sponsored by England; and I’ve listed some
links below if you would like to find out more.
All of this was new to me. I’d never heard of the
ESU and I am still learning about this organization; however, what I do at the
British Corner is teach children. I work for 3 hours on Sunday working with a
group of almost high school students and a group of younger students; who by-the-way,
are foreign nationals from Germany, Romania, Italy, France, Turkey and other
places that I cannot remember. It is truly a diverse group. These children are
both fluent in their native language; as well as somewhat proficient in
English.
I agreed to take this position because I was
promised flexibility with my schedule. I don’t have to work every Sunday and I
can also set the agenda for the time. I work with the children, of course in
English – but I use my “Non-Traditional” Curriculum to fill the class period.
The topics range from distinguishing between fact and opinion, creative
writing, building reading strategies and skills; money, planning, body
language, how to form an argument; world affairs; vocabulary…I could go on but
I think you get the picture. I’ve been working to develop a curriculum here in
Georgia that would touch on topics that the students usually don’t get during
their school day. The British Corner allows be great latitude in working with
the students to try out so many unconventional methods and topics. It is a good
match, and I get paid. Not much; but, it’s nice to have some funny money.
I have been doing volunteer work also, which has
been very rewarding. I work in an Orphanage here in Tbilisi called the “Infant
House”. This Orphanage houses upward of maybe one hundred children all younger
than five years old.
This is all very new to me and the numbers change
from week to week (I am told). I dedicate two hours a week (that is what is
permitted) and I work with other US volunteers as well as other women from
various embassies here in Georgia.
You would think this would be an easy opportunity to
get; but, it was not. I had to have a physical and a note from my doctor and be
vetted by the Georgian Ministry of Education that took completing forms, forms
and more forms. It took months to accomplish. Once approved, I had to sign a
document, of course in Georgian, but I was told that it basically said I would
be part of the organization for one year. I just signed another contact for
2017.
Believe me, it was so worth it. The volunteers
usually arrive in groups of three or four and we work with the children for two
hours. Most of the children have some type of physical handicap; so what we do
is hold the children and/or get them to sit up (which is different from their
laying on their backs all the time). We move their legs, feet and arms. Often
rub their back and give lots of hugs and kisses.
There just is not enough staff to play with the
children; they are busy with the duty of cleaning, feeding and all the
necessary things that babies need. We volunteers get on the floor and play with
the children. Sometimes it is so joyful; we are laughing so hard listening to
children laughing and then sometimes I cry; as it is just heartbreaking
watching the children and knowing that their life will be so limited. We do try
and use toys to help with their motor skills; but, time is so limited. Just to
hold them so they can feel another heart beat close to their bodies is
sometimes all that they need.
I plan to start a reading program. In my short time
at the Infant House I have not seen any books; but, I’ve gathered some English children
books and plan to read to the children. Of course, they won’t understand lots
of the words; but, my inflection, tone and looking at the pictures will be
something I think they will enjoy (I know I will). I’ve also enlisted a day care
business in Tbilisi to give me books that they will no longer need so that we
can donate them to the Infant House.
I love getting the closeness and touch from the
children. I love to see their big smiles all because I was able to throw a ball
in their direction. I love to give them a high five and also play peek-a-boo.
You see, sometimes I act like a five year old and this volunteer work allows me
to be a silly as I want.
I will write more on this as time goes on….but for
now.
I want to answer a question that so many folks have asked;
and that it what about health insurance here in Georgia. So, I am happy to say
that I do have health insurance. It is not very comprehensive; mostly x-rays if
needed; flu shot; flu and allergy doctor visits, mammograms and some
hospitalization. Needless to say, if I really got sick I would have to come
back to the States. But, for routine type care this doctor group would be
satisfactory.
My Doctor (woman) does speak English but it is
always a challenge to communicate. For example; I emailed for an appointment to
get a flu shot and finally after countless emails was given an appointment.
When I arrived at her office she asked me what I wanted and I said that I
wanted a flu shot….Oh, my she said, I thought you (meaning me) had the flu….Heavens
to Betsy! Not life threatening but sometime frustrating (but often life here in
Tbilisi is like that).
I did get my flu shot, eventually…but at times it is
exhausting.
Another snafu was the time when my prescription that
was intended for 5MG; was written for 500MG. Seriously, I must be ever vigilant
to make sure that I am getting what I am asking for.
Here is an interesting fact; in that, all the
medication is in Russian and you don’t need a prescription. I can just go into the pharmacy and show them
the box and they will give me the prescription over-the-counter. It is so
unusual; as that is not the practice in the States; but, I am kinda getting
used to this new method of service.
The big news with the medical insurance, and I hope
you are sitting down as you read this, is that the cost is on an annual basis.
It is by contract for a year and the total cost is…drum roll please - $50.00
USD. I thought there was a mistake. Maybe they got the zero in the wrong place;
but, no, that was it. Because I am over a certain age I was only eligible for
one select plan; but, like I said this is just for routine care.
I am getting ready to travel to India with a group
called American Councils. I will be gone 30 days teaching at a private school
(within a gated community) in an area south of Mumbai. Children from Afghanistan
will arrive for the program. In attendance will be Mostly pre high school or
early high school students; both boys and girls – 25 of each. I will write more
about this in my next blog; but needless to say “I am over the Moon”! This is
the dream…sports fans. Working and traveling!
All the best, My Faithful Readers…..see you next
month
Best, Catherine Lawrence – 1/31/17
Puzzle Table - Yeah! In the Tbilisi Apartment - Sun Room
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