I just returned from France for Christmas back to Georgia . My first reminder I was back was in the airport luggage claim. So many women in the their thirties and forties wearing all black. I hate that - then looked down at my black jeans, black jacket and gloves, black turtleneck and black socks. I quickly pulled out my bright green scarf and proudly displayed my tan cowboy boots, just to be a rebel.
2. They still give out bottles of famous Georgian saperavi wine at passport control :-)
- 20 inch fish from the local river strung across the open trunk of someone's car pulled over on the side of the highway
- more sales tables - obviously recycled bottles - some have motor oil in them, some sell wine in them
- more Turkish fruit stands - oranges, pineapples (especially at holiday time) pomegranates, and persimmons, and the ever present wide selection of famous Georgian apples
- a rack of ribs hanging from a small white cabinet next to the road with the words painted on a sign on the top ხორცი ( hortsi = meat). Refrigeration?
4. You hop on the local marshutka and everyone says "hi kimi", and how was my son in საფრანგეთი (saprangeti = France). They all know I was away and invite me to their homes after I rest up. That night in the Istanbul airport must have taken its toll.
5. Cows, sheep, and a recent addition of goats, now share the roads.
6. Gulf gas station signs all read გშლფი - or gulpi - since (remember) they have no F letter and all nouns have to end in a vowel.
7. SAFETY - All of France had a lot of rifle toting police patrolling the streets, as would be expected this year. And we have a lot of police in Tbilisi, but I don't even think most carry guns. They are helpful and kind. Tbilisi is one of the 5 safest Capitols in the world, according to some article I read and can't remember where. I believe it and missed it while away.
8. BAGS - went to the local grocery store in Tbilisi and walked out with 6 plastic bags, for 7 items. In France you take your bags with you, or you walk out with everything in your hand. (like Boulder, Colorado)
8. TRADEMARKS - Still no respect. Bad picture, but this says Mc shawarma - the turkish kabob. Honest.
7. SAFETY - All of France had a lot of rifle toting police patrolling the streets, as would be expected this year. And we have a lot of police in Tbilisi, but I don't even think most carry guns. They are helpful and kind. Tbilisi is one of the 5 safest Capitols in the world, according to some article I read and can't remember where. I believe it and missed it while away.
8. BAGS - went to the local grocery store in Tbilisi and walked out with 6 plastic bags, for 7 items. In France you take your bags with you, or you walk out with everything in your hand. (like Boulder, Colorado)
8. TRADEMARKS - Still no respect. Bad picture, but this says Mc shawarma - the turkish kabob. Honest.
Good to be 'home.' Villages are full of fire works and crackers now. I will work a few more days this year, help set up a more professional profit statement in excel for our social enterprise which successfully shared an almost living wage to 8-10 women in the settlement ( final numbers pending), then off to my training host family in Khashuri for the new year. New year is like Christmas in the US. It is THE PARTY. Can't wait.
