My very own Bina (apartment)

On February 1st I moved into the Koda refugee settlement.  We are 2000 strong, living in 10 five-story buildings left in ruin after the Soviet military left in the early '90s.  They have been renovated, and I am delighted!  Here's why:

I'm an adult, and want my privacy, my own kitchen and bath and windows, and balcony. I'm in heaven.  My host family is lovely and I still see them.  It works for many volunteers, especially in smaller villages, and younger volunteers, but for me  this is GREAT to be on my own.

The layout of the units is very utilitarian - One big rectangle, with a wall down the middle.  In the middle on the right side three walls are built for the bathroom, and this acts as the divider for the entrance 'hallway' and the kitchen.  The left side is one big room, with 3 beds in it, 2 huge windows, and a small anteroom with my heater.

My kitchen

my fridg and stove top are on the right. 

I love having my own kitchen, and cooking and experimenting for myself, ... most of the time.  Tonight wasn't so great, to tell you the truth.  I didn't realize that 250 degrees C was 482 degrees F.  Oh my.  And I can't get the hang of buying meat here.  So the meatloaf was questionable. And the ham I bought. in Tbilisi.. when I got home the receipt said it was pig's neck. (?)  It's really enough to make one a vegetarian.  They make a great ochma khachapuri  which is like lasagna without the meat and tomato sauce.  So I added those last items, and it was great.  And guess what they called it.... pizza!  That is the only time they mix tomato sauce and cheeses.  Whatever, they liked it, and I liked making homemade noodles. It was very good.  I also made apple crisp - with brown sugar from the US.  That was also a hit! 

This is my bathroom. with a western toilet!  I'm happy. 

I have a window in the bath, up high, with my 12 foot ceilings, and it is so practical.  I can turn on the light in the bathroom and not need to light the kitchen.  And the sunlight comes through the kitchen to light the bath. Very practical.  My electricity was $6 last month.  Gas is separate.

My bedroom/dining room/living room.  It's usually cleaner than this... no it isn't .  But the neighbors have spotless binas.  I don't know why and how, but they do.  

And the people are the best thing about my new Bina. - Here are some neighbors and friends as I moved in.  I love these people!

Here is the view from one of my THREE big windows. Sun, hurrah!  Neighbors are preparing the gardens for spring planting.  I'm growing my seeds in the bina.

 This is one of the local "portable magazias" or moving stores for vegetables.  I was brazen enough to go out on my balcony and yell down to him what he was selling  " Ras kidulob, katsi?"  When I picked my cabbage, yellow AND red onions, 6 potatoes, and  4 apples ( $1.40) ,  he said "you must be the American"  I think I'm the only non Georgian in the whole settlement.  Ah, my 15 minutes of fame :-) 

I bought an oven with the help of my two friends who braved "Lilo" bazaar to help me find a few necessities. Lilo is a huge market on the edge of Tbilisi.  Probably a thousand stands are included.  And most sell for the same prices.   Fun, and it wasn't overwhelming with their help.   Here are Nunu and Ilia, waitng for marsh, and squeezing on the marsh to get the packages home.  Nunu is my neighbor, colleague; hardworking and kind.  And Ilia is my friend and translator when/if I need one.  

I have had some friends visit and can't wait to have more.  These people are the epitome of hospitality.  Love em all!