Life101 in Eastern Europe

Hello, My Faithful Readers

August 3, 2017

Volume 1, Number 11

I promised a blog before I left for Morocco; and so, here it is. There are lots of happenings here; both for me personally and Georgia in the news. I’ll begin with my news…..

When I last left you; I was working toward moving out of my apartment and wanted to do that before I left for my trip to Morocco. Well, I came close to accomplishing that goal – but, fell short. I am disappointed; as now I must wait until I return to secure a new place. I will live out of boxes as my entire apartment is packed up….so, here is the story.

It has been my experience here in Georgia that their work ethic is kind of lackadaisical. So often you never receive a phone/email back when looking for information; that is if anyone ever picks up the phone to talk to you. So, to begin an apartment search, and especially in the summer, was going to be a challenge.

One realtor found an apartment that when I looked at the pictures I wanted to cry. I cannot explain how forlorn this apartment looked. I am kidding but I think living in a box would have been more uplifting. Most of the Real Estate companies I wrote to or called never call or emailed me back. I went out on my own and didn’t find anything. So, I was so pleased when a real person called me back. It seems that this company charges USD to help find apartments. The amount depends on the rent; and they take in USD ½ of the monthly rent. So, I was stuck…I had to pay if they helped me and I wanted to move.

We located two apartments. One was a great find on the 10^th floor in a central location. The owner lived in another part of Georgia, so I would not be bothered with him using the apartment when I was traveling. The view was awesome; and I thought that this was it. However, remember I live in Georgia, when I asked the owner, via the agent on the phone with him, for a dining room table (there was a small kitchen table in the kitchen)…he went ballistic on the phone. I could hear him screaming at the agent (both in English and Georgian) as to why did I need another table. She could not get a word in. He kept talking in a louder and louder voice. He said he would give me some money and I could go buy a table….I was so turned off by all this; so, we walked to the 2^nd apartment.

It was a very small apartment, which I liked. It was brand new. I would be the first person to live in it. It was on the 1^st floor (not ground level) but higher and had a little balcony. There was no view as it was nestled in a residential area with a couple of high rise apartments in the final stages and low apartment buildings. It was very cozy…and I it would be a nice change to have something brand new for a change.

The husband who showed the apartment and agreed on terms, this was Friday, and we were to sign the papers on Monday. I arranged with the movers to come on Tuesday. So, Monday came and no time was set for the signing. The wife is the owner of the apartment and for some reason she did not agree about my renting it. She wanted to think about it….WHAT, the movers were coming the next day. What is there to think about? My Real Estate person was so upset and she was apologizing for the behavior of Georgian woman. I finally decided that why would I rent from such people and withdrew. Luckily the movers were more professional than the people who owned the apartment and allowed me to cancel without charging me a fee.

I don’t take this personal; as I heard from other people (US & Georgian alike) that this behavior is fairly standard; it is like dealing with teenagers.

So, where am I? My apartment is completely boxed up. I am packed and leave for Morocco tomorrow and will begin the search again when I return. I will need to pay my landlord for another month’s rent which will take me to September 15^th. I will try not to think about the Landlord using the apartment and making himself at home on my dime while I am away. But, at this point I have no choice. Even if he said he would not; I don’t have any faith in his word.

I have been down in the dumps about all this; but, the meditation program has helped me tremendously. Now this is not across the board; but, it has been my experience that as long as you don’t depend or need Georgians; you are ok. It just enhances the need for self reliance; but, at time (like this) you do need people and the stress of not being able to count on “their word” is damaging and appalling.

So, Onto other news…..

Happenings here in Georgia (link below) – Georgia begins U.S. led military exercise a day before Vice President Pence visit to Tbilisi, Georgia.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-georgia-exercises-idUSKBN1AF0G6?il=0

I don’t know what any of this means. With all that has been happening in the political arena in the United States; it gives me pause. Is all this just political theater? I see so much time, effort and money being wasted and not much, if anything, happening to improve lives. It just seems like a bunch of rich people who run the country getting richer L.

I wanted to make another observation about Dubai and their Minister of State for Happiness. Again, I don’t know what this means as Happiness is relative to the holder…but, that the UAE considered the Happiness of its citizen gives me hope. I did see some Happiness Centers in Dubai; but, didn’t go in to any of the locations.

I also wonder if this is a ploy for the reverse Dystopian society. I just don’t know! You will notice, My Faithful Readers,that more and more I know less and less.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minister_of_State_for_Happiness_(UAE)

HER EXCELLENCY OHOUD BINT KHALFAN AL ROUMI

Minister of State for Happiness - Director General of Prime Minister's Office

Her Excellency Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi is the Minister of State for Happiness in the new UAE Cabinet, announced in February 2016. The new ministry aims to promote the UAE’s plans, programmes and policies to promote the happiness of the UAE society.

See you on the flip side!

Best, Catherine Lawrence – 8/3/17