Hello, My Faithful
Readers
January 30, 2018
Volume 2, Number 02
Here we are already at
the end of January. The first month of 2018 is coming to a close; and what a
boring month it has been. Seriously, I sure don’t have a lot of exciting stuff
to write about. How is this for excitement………
I went out today to
buy beans. I don’t know how to cook dry bean so I always buy in the can. I like
kidney beans and a few others; and I’ve always found them to be cheap. Well,
that is not the case any longer (I know you are just sitting on the edge of
seat waiting for this adventure) J.
It seems that HEINZ
has found its way into Georgia so the shelves are stocked with HEINZ beans;
however, they are not cheap. The price has doubled (maybe a little more than
doubled). I’ve been on a search during this boring month for cheap beans in a
can and sadly; cannot find any. Ah, the saga will continue.
On an up note we did
have a couple more holidays since I last wrote. Georgia celebrated “Old New
Year”. January 14th is the celebration date on the Gregorian
calendar. Of course there were fireworks; but, not as intense as January 1st. I understand that most Georgians go and visit
family and friends on this date that they usually don’t get a chance to see
throughout the year. The second holiday was on January 19th, which
is The Epiphany. Also celebrated in Ukraine and Russia
on January 19, marks the baptism of Jesus in the Orthodox Church. Believing
that on this day water becomes holy and is imbued with special powers,
One final post about
the holidays before we leave the topic; I forgot to mention last time that the
Salvation Army has a presence here in Georgia. This was terrific news for me to
hear; as I really didn’t know. I’ve found that there are so many great organizations
here in Georgia; however, there is no way to find this out unless you either
come across it by accident or someone tells you.
I found out about it
at the International Women’s Association (of which I am a member). Every year
the Salvation Army has a Christmas Party for children. They make requests for
donations specific to either a boy or girl and the age range. They ask that the
gift be wrapped with above detail listed on a card attached to the package. In
this way each child gets a gift specific to their age and gender.
I arrive late and all
the request cards were given out; however, as it turns out they had a last
minute child coming to the party (12 yr old boy) – so I was tasked with finding
a toy that would match. Now, this was no easy task as I have no idea what 12
year old boys are into today. I did find a sort or erector set that you could
build 29 different things (eg., cars, boats; bridges..) all using the same
parts over and over; however, with instructions on how to do it. I thought this
would be challenging and hoped (I was not at the party) that the child found it
fun.
Ok, one final, final
thing about Georgian Christmas (1/7/18)…see picture of Disney Characters lined
up on the street to amuse children. In addition to the characters they had a
juice bar going and also Santa was available if you still wanted to ask him for
more stuff. It was really cute. There was a lot of picture taking, balloons and
some music in the background. I was on
my way to the Hard Rock Café for Christmas Dinner!
I’ve listed below a
link to an article that speaks to the nutritional life here in Georgia. It is
called the “Hidden hunger – Georgia creeping epidemic”. Awhile back I heard
this statement that spoke to the Georgian diet…”We are not hungry, but we are
starving”. I think this article goes into the “why’s” of the topic.
Anyone who has been
reading my blog knows that I am not a fan of Georgian food. Tourists rave over
the food; however, tourists are not long term residents.
According to the World Health Organisation, as many as 91%
of deaths in Georgia are a result of non-communicable diseases, which are
largely attributed to diet. This figure is much higher than in a lot of other
less developed countries.
One of the great
things about Tbilisi is the metro bus system.
This is very different from the Marshrutka (which is the yellow van that
is more-or-less a shared taxi). The metro bus is just that, a bus. Some routes
have nicer buses than others; but all have the ticket machine that I think it
awesome.
This ticket machine
does NOT involve the driver; so, he is free to drive (and in Tbilisi that is so
important because driving is dangerous). You get on the bus and swipe your card
(or insert money) into the machine and a little piece of paper rolls out. This
paper tells you route, time of entry, amount paid and maybe a couple of other
stats that the transit company needs to chart.
Once you have that
piece of paper you need to hold onto it as periodically representatives from
the transit company board the bus to check to see that everyone has their
ticket. If you don’t then they help you pay your fair. It is a great system.
I’ve watched people pass their wallets and bus card to total strangers to have
them pay the fair (if they were not close to the ticket machine). No one is
worried or hesitates to give their valuable to strangers as after the ticket it
obtained the ticket and bus pass/wallet makes its way back to the owner.
The bus ride is .50
Tetri (which is half of (1) Lari. In US Money it equals .20 cents/USD. Can you
imagine; .20 cents to ride a bus. Some routes take 45 minutes (depending on
traffic) and others take 90 minutes or longer. But, no matter how long the ride
is the price is one flat rate.
I really like the
metro bus as you can see out the windows; regardless if you are standing or
sitting. I would just add one negative; and that it – there are not enough
buses here in Tbilisi (or maybe there are just too many people). At times there
are so many people that not everyone can grab hold of a stationary bar for
support during moving. If this happens
Georgian folks don’t think (or ask) to use people who have support to lean
against or to grab hold of. I find this offensive. I don’t like being used as a
pole to hold onto. This is just normal here; but I don’t like it. If a bus is
that crowded I won’t get on; or get off and walk or wait for another bus.
Transportation here is
not an easy get. At times I feel like I have been assaulted riding the bus and
other times (if possible) walk rather than get on (walking also presents
another set of problems). When I get to where I am going I usually breathe a
sigh of relief that I arrived in one piece. It is not fun to travel here.
I’ve posted pictures
of the bus machine and bus ticket below.
The Rotary Club has a
presence here in Georgia. There are a few clubs in various cities throughout
Georgia; however, I decided I am not going to participate. The Rotary is a
really great organization and Georgia needs these kinds of people to organize
them about starting and staying in business; however, I just don’t want to do
the work.
I’ve attached a
picture of a mural on the side of a building which I’ve past numerous times and
never saw it. Reason being is that I don’t look up very often when I walk; so
unless I stop and look up I miss lots of stuff. I don’t know the history of the
mural; but, was so taken with it I wanted to share it.
My meditation program
continues; as of today 212 days. The meditation continues to unearth stuff that
I have not thought about (if ever) and makes me look at (sometimes) that I am
still living as I did decades ago. I have been struggling with this process as
often I don’t want to know (do you know what I mean); but, I work thru it and
some answers have surfaced. I am still working on this and don’t yet want to
share as my plan is not yet fully realized; but, more to follow.
I became a UPenn
Alumni Interview for possible Undergraduate student entry– Fall 2018. This was
an awesome experience. I interviewed one young lady and wish I could have
interviewed more.
I thought I would be
doing this in virtual reality; however, the young lady actually lives here in
Georgia. We set an appointment and met in a local coffee shop to talk. I was so
impressed. I watched as the potential student and her mother hobbled into the
café on crutches as it seems she broke her leg while skiing. After mom left we
sat for an hour and talked about her life, her aspirations and goals and why
she picked Penn to apply to. I hope she gets in as I think she has a good
chance and would be a good fit. Not everyone receives an interview with an
Alumni – hoping that will give her an edge. She is a regular decision candidate
so I’ll know by the end of March what her status is. I’ll keep you informed.
So, I was in a liquor
store recently and wanted to share my experience. I wanted to buy a bottle of
cognac and found what I wanted. There were (3) men sitting around and (1)
female clerk on the cash register. I found what I wanted and went to pay for
it. I noticed by the cognac there were about five empty cognac boxes sitting on
the floor and asked the woman if I could have one. It is safer in a box as the
plastic bags are so flimsy.
As she was ringing up
the sale she said “no” – can’t have a box. I didn’t think I heard her right and
asked again, and she repeated the “no”. It was said with such a matter of fact
tone; so I said there are so many empty boxes there and it is safer to
transport the bottle that way. She just
stood there and looked at me and held her hand out for the money. One of the
men got up and went to the boxes and brought back a box…as if he didn’t I was
leaving the store without purchasing the cognac.
At that point I made
the decision to buy it as I didn’t want to go find another store so I handed
her (2) 20 bills (the cognac was 29). She did put the cognac in the box and
then into a bag and went back to her phone. I asked her for my change (she owed
me 11 Gel) as I gave her 40 and the bill was 29. She looked at me like I had
two heads and after I repeated that I needed my change she did give me the 11
gel.
It was really terrible
to be treated that way as a paying customer. I felt dirty in that store and
realized that nothing would be done (even if I knew who to report her attitude
and behavior to). Customer service needs attention here in Tbilisi. I’ve been
in stores waiting for an attendant and have been passed over for a Georgian who
just showed up. I have many examples of this and often I just let it go as I am
a guest in this country; but again (here in the country of hospitality) often
courtesy and consideration (unless someone is looking) is lacking.
Recently the wind was
so strong that it woke me up. The trees were thrashing around and since my
apartment has trees so close; I thought one (or more) was coming through the
window. Someone on FB clocked the wind at 79kph (which is almost 50 miles per
hour). I believe it. When I was in the
village we had wind at that speed as I thought the roof was going to come off.
Also, because I have floor to ceiling windows in my apartment and there is no
insulation in the walls; I can feel the air pushing through. I can watch the threads
on the drapes moving.
I think my neighbors in the apartment directly above
me have a laundry service. I can hear their washing machine going day and
night. They hang clothes out on the outside line (see picture) at least twice,
if not three times a day. Now, none of this really bothers me. It is just
curious. I thought initially that maybe they had lots of people living in the
apartment; but, honestly, unless they had a couple dozen people the amount of
clothes does not match up. Thankfully the clothes line does not block my
view..then there would be a problem.
I went to a lecture at the Diplomatic Training
Center here in Tbilisi (link below).
Once a month there is a lecture on various topics entitled “About
Georgia”. In order to attend you need to be approved and present some type of
ID. Someone meets you at the door and walks you into the lecture room. It all
seems very CIA-ish; but was happy to attend.
The lecture r was to talk about Georgian Holidays
and Traditions. The woman who gave the lecture gave a presentation that shocked
me by some of the things she said; in that she was so honest. She spoke about
wedding and funeral traditions; Supras (the Georgian feast w/lots of drinking)
and the various regions within Georgia and its diversity.
She also spoke about “rules” in Georgia; in that “Not
following the rules IS A RULE here in Georgia.” I know this to be true but
never heard anyone say it out loud. She also spoke about lazy the Georgian
people are and why Georgia has not progressed as other countries have. She said
that if , for example, there was no transportation to do work then Georgian’s
just didn’t do the work. Excuses always found a way to not work. Countries like
Armenia didn’t adhere to this mindset like the Georgian people have. She
indicated that Georgian felt they were “unlucky” and said that Georgians felt
they survived by having the good nature given to them by God.
I wish I would have had a video of her lecture as I
didn’t write down everything as I was stunned listening to her assessment
(most, if not all being true).
My Faithful Readers I will close for now. February
will begin my LAST teaching semester here in Georgia. I know this is the right
and best decision for me; searching to put together my plan for beyond
teaching. Also, waiting for SNOW. We had a few snow flakes here; but, mostly
rain. I know snow is a pain; but I would sure love to see the park outside my
window dressed in white.
Best, Catherine Lawrence – 1/30/18
CREST toothpaste bought in Dubai - Arabic
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