The day after the night before

Tuesday 6Sept I had a weird day. I hardly slept Monday night. 3hours tops! I was up around 6 and was glad it was morning. I read the last few pages of The Color Purple, skipping a huge chunk of the book. I needed to return it. I promised myself I'll watch the movie instead. Needless to say, the last pages didn't make any sense. I returned the book to Martyna. Who took it back to the library for me. One of my groups wouldn't be back to class for the rest of the week, they had to work. I told them to come in Tuesday and take the test and the exam. They did. We always had such fun with them. They speak English and are super funny! After the exam, they told me to meet them outside. They bought me gifts! Aw:( water works:( , as if it wasn't a super emotional day for me already. I hugged and kissed them all and they were on their way. One of them offered to take me to the church when he heard the news. I went along and tried not to cry until I was almost out and my eyes were flooded. Oh well, I tried. He took me to the internet cafe, where I watched Kourtney and Khloe take Miami and Kourt and Kim take Newy York, simultaneously, to take my mind off things. After 2hrs there, I got out, saw Tiko, my assistant's car outside the Police station. Called her, she said she was on her way to the car. I waited for her while munching on Russian Chips and Twix Choc bar. She took me home. As we got home, she remembered that her dad gave her money that morning. She asked if I wanted to go out for dinner. And of course I say yes! We went to the pizzeria, I ordered potato khinkali, they didn't have it. Mushroom? Nope! Okay, pizza. 'Drinks?'. Uhm, I'll have Coke Zero please? 'We haven't got it!'. Sprite zero? 'No!'. flavoured mineral water? 'No!'. Ok, I'll have Juice then. Any fruit juice. 'Sorry, we don't have!'. Uhm, still water pls! We sat and talked for a while, Tiko and I. It was nice, I'd never hung out with her outside the office. She invited me to visit to her farm house the next day. I went home, my host mom saw my gifts and gave me a Georgian Bowl. One that they use to drink wine. It has some inscription, apparently, it's long live something something. One day I'll be able to read it. I went to bed feeling much better than I did in the morning. It was a good day! as if it wasn't a super emotional day for me already. I hugged and kissed them all and they were on their way. One of them offered to take me to the church when he heard the news. I went along and tried not to cry until I was almost out and my eyes were flooded. Oh well, I tried. He took me to the internet cafe, where I watched Kourtney and Khloe take Miami and Kourt and Kim take Newy York, simultaneously, to take my mind off things. After 2hrs there, I got out, saw Tiko, my assistant's car outside the Police station. Called her, she said she was on her way to the car. I waited for her while munching on Russian Chips and Twix Choc bar. She took me home. As we got home, she remembered that her dad gave her money that morning. She asked if I wanted to go out for dinner. And of course I say yes! We went to the pizzeria, I ordered potato khinkali, they didn't have it. Mushroom? Nope! Okay, pizza. 'Drinks?'. Uhm, I'll have Coke Zero please? 'We haven't got it!'. Sprite zero? 'No!'. flavoured mineral water? 'No!'. Ok, I'll have Juice then. Any fruit juice. 'Sorry, we don't have!'. Uhm, still water pls! We sat and talked for a while, Tiko and I. It was nice, I'd never hung out with her outside the office. She invited me to visit to her farm house the next day. I went home, my host mom saw my gifts and gave me a Georgian Bowl. One that they use to drink wine. It has some inscription, apparently, it's long live something something. One day I'll be able to read it. I went to bed feeling much better than I did in the morning. It was a good day!

Rest In Peace Rite Reverend A. Z. Brook

Uwile umth'omkhulu. Lala ngoxolo Krila, Thangana, Rhaso, Nkom'ezibomvu! Soze sakulibala! Inkulu into osenzele yona usadla amazimba. Ubungumzekelo omhle kuthi, bantwana bakabhut'wakho. Ibingeyompazamo nale yokuba usweleke kanye ngalamhla utata wasweleka ngawo! Sowyasbulisela kuye, nakubo bonke abasishiya ngaphambi kwakho!

Lazy weekend at home

We have to pay a certain percentage of our stipend to the host families to cover some of their expenses on us.
My old host families refused to take the money.
Last week, I finished my first month with the new family. I texted the host dad and told him I want to see him. He was at work and asked what it was about. I told him I needed to give him some money. He said 'I'm at work, give the money to my mother!'. I went downstairs and found a thousand other cousins I'd never met, there's like a new cousin and 5 others everytime I go to the lounge! The host sis was here as well. I gave the money to the mother. She took it with a smile and asked what it was for after! I told the sister. She tried to hold herself from smiling, and said, we didn't know you had to pay. The mother thanked me so much.

The next morning, I was greeted with a huge smile and breakfast was prepared for me. In the afternoon, the mother cooked my favourites meat, fish and stuff. There have been tons and tons of wide smiles all over here since that night.

Friday, 2 Sept
No classes again, my students just didn't pitch. Apparently they were all either at work or tired from 48 hour shifts. I hung around the police station, eating and playing PC games AND listening to music on my iPod.
One of the police bosses said he has a friend he'd like me to marry. Yep, they don't play here, they hook you up for marriage, none of that dating crap.
I asked if he's rich. I know! I know! I'm shallow, bite me! They said yeah, he has 3cars, a Jaguar, a Merc and whatever else, he's a footballer and a businessman. Ok, deal, when do I meet him. Like really? What happened to warm personality, kind heart, loyalty and all those dating clichés?
I asked the boss when I'll get to meet this guy, he said no problem.

Friday night, Clint called and said to join them at the restaurant. His friends brought him 2.5kg of Crayfish. It was still live when we got in the car, they prepared it in the restaurant. It was really nice. I've never had it from the shell before.

Saturday, 3rd Sept, it was just the grandma and I at the house. I watched Kourtney and Khloé take Miami, and one episode of the bachelor. I talked on the phone for about three hours. The grandma thought I went to bed, she switched the pc off. She was shocked when I told her I was on the phone the entire time. We had dinner, my phone beeped. She yelled at me about how I'm always on the phone or something. I just smiled. More Kourtney and Khloe. Later on, around 6, I went to my room and watched Brothers and Sisters.

4th Sept (Sunday)
Kourtney and khloe in the morning. Just for an hour. Back upstairs for more Bros and Sis'. I sorted out my hard drives, you know, the boring stuff. I fell asleep for a bit, as soon as woke up, i head tiny foot steps coming upstairs. Something said to go lock my door, but I decided against It. Lo and behold, they budged right into my room! Good thing they're cute! You can't be mad at them. The host sister was right behind them. She apologised, told me she likes my hair and told me to go join them for birthday cake. The host dad's daughter's bday. I felt badly that nobody informed me in advance so I can buy her something. She assured me they also didn't buy any gifts. Only cake. I went downstairs for my shower and saw so many people eating in the lounge. I eventually joined the gang, there were around 10 people in there. And gifts all over the lounge!
Everyone had already eaten. I really wasn't in the mood to be the centre of attention. I quickly ate and asked to be excused. Of course, I made up some excuse about how one of my family members is very ill and therefore I'm not supposed to celebrate. I'd say I don't think they bought it if I thought they understood it.
Back to my room, more Brothers and sisters, I blogged a bit. Clint called and said to join them at the restaurant. I walked forever. We had khinkali's. Well, they did! I just tried the potato one. They were with their new friend they met while hiking in Borjomi over the weekend.
I got back home after midnight. It was freezing in my room. I should get an extra blanket. If it's this cold now, how much more in winter!

French kisses and Blind Massage Therapists

Wednesday, 31 August
I've been asking around for massage therapists in my hood since I got here cos for some reason, a good night's rest Is hard to come by and the beds an uncomfy so I need a massage really badly.
One of my students told me she knows someone who knows someone.
After work, she took me to some apartment, nice apartment. Where there was a lady who's eyes I couldn't figure out. Turns out she's blind. She was with a really old lady, who apparently is her mother. I'm not sure who's looking after who in there, but that's their deal. The blind seems pretty efficient actually. All women are!

As my student was discussing with this lady, I kept wondering where this massage therapist is. So it was my student, her 2kids, the lady and her mom. Turns out the massagist (as they put it) is the blind lady, she's a trained therapist. She told me to lie on the bed like feature. I asked if everyone's going to leave. They asked if they could watch. I politely declined. The student said this seems interesting, I suggested she books a session. It's 10Lari (R40) for an hour's massage, full body. That's way less than I charge back home! And the lady's good. She knows what she's doing. She did slap me really hard, harder than the Chinese and the Chinese slap hard!
She also asked why I'm so fat, apparently my thighs and arms are way bigger than her hands are used to. She told me to return in 2days.

From there, I went to my new fave spot, the internet café. Watched more of The bachelor. Harriet came over. She sat next to me and we did our thing. Not long thereafter some guy showed up and the shop assistant needed our assistance. He didn't speak Georgian. We speak Genglish (Georgian English). That's really slow English, a few Georgian words and tons of hand gestures and weird sounds. Look it up on a dictionary near you!
He sat across the room from me. He asked us a bit about ourselves and HOW OLD WE ARE! How Georgian of him to ask someone their age on the first meeting!
He's 24, I told him I'm 57, when he acted surprised, I was like! I know, I look very good for my age. What can I say, I take care of myself.
He asked us out for drinks. We obliged. He's French and is motorcycling through Georgia well, and other Countries for 3mnths. He killed me every time he said Azerbaijan (so French! death!).
We drank Lemonatis (Lemonades, that may or may not be lemon flavoured), talked, and talked posed for pictures for his blog http://vagabondagesautourdumonde.wordpress.com/ check it out if you can read French or have google translate.
Apparently, I'm the first person ever to tell him, the only world I recognised in. The blog name is bondages. Oh well.
After the lemonatis, we went to Clintyna's and hung out some more with Frenchman, Maxim. He managed to get a back massage from Yours Truly. Apparently, the massage was 'unbelievable'. Yup, French certified! Don't hate!
I owe him French kisses, or he does me, something to that effect! He asked if I wanted to take pics on his Bike, I thought he'd never ask! I was there in a flash! I was excited about being outside, in the dark with a Frenchman that I apparently owed French kisses. Harriet, thought it'd be a good idea to take the pics in her camera, 'there goes the alone time and French kisses'.
It became a family affair, as everyone came out. I hopped on, Harrie snapped some shots. Man that thing is huge! And comfortable! It's a kawasaki. I hadn't heard that name since forever ago!
He also took some pics in his camera.

Martyna offered him a placed to sleep at hers, we exchanged contacts. Harriet and I walked home.
He said he might go to Vardzia, the cave city, the next day. I was to hear from him.

Thursday, 1st Sept
Spring day! In South Africa! The facebook, twitter and bbm posts were all colourful! I'm happy for them that the winter's over. It was freezing! I know! I experienced 2months of it!
None of my students showed up because we didn't have the schedule for Sept. I was on the phone with Michelle when I saw a lime green Huge motorbike with tons of luggage and a French driving away. I called Clint and asked where he decided to go. He said, he's leaving the city. I called my girlfriend Martyna, to wallow, and said, how could he not come say bye? She said, 'errr, I don't know! Why don't you call and ask him?'. Ooooooowwwwwww kkkkkaaayyyy then!

Milky Ways and Galaxies

Friday, 26 August
After work, I went to the internet cafe, and watched Jerseylicious. Jennifer, from Ninotsminda called and said she's on her way to my town.
I told her, I'll inform her when I'm done. I did, and they picked me up. She stayed over at her student's house for the weekend. I know the student, she was at the picnic we had at the lake in Ninotsminda.
We went to their beautiful apartment and hung out for a bit. Her husband is a soldier. She's a police officer. They have me a camouflage:).
At night, the husband, Jen and I went out to some restaurant for dinner.
We had khinkali (the notorious Georgian dumplings), meat, meat (I know I know!), and the usual tomato and cucumber salad.

Can I just say? I love how Georgians can cut a cucumber up and have it as a snack! Just like that! So healthy!

We listened to Glee inspired music on my blackberry, You're the one that I want! Proud Mary, I'm walking on Sunshine, and a whole host of songs performed on season 1 of Glee. Then Jen played her African music. Amongst which was Rebecca and Vuyo's 'oh indoda yami, ubaba wabantwana bami! Hay isdudla sami, umama wezingani zami'. Don't know the title. It was nice to hear that. She insisted I need to listen to more African music cos I didn't recognised any of the songs she played and I didn't like them. Needless to say, I won't be listening to them by choice, anytime soon. I do have African music on my pc. Stuff I like.
We spent what seemed like 2 hrs talking about America, okay, the guys, the student's husband and his friend are obsessed with America. They said they'll do whatever it takes to move there. Basically I had a bit of a deja vu. Like what happened first time I visited Jen in her home town and she and her American 'friend' talked about the States for 2hrs while I sat there awkwardly. It happened again, in my city this time.
We finally left! Pumped some I have nothing by Whitney Houston. Jen and I sang along at the top of our voices. It was sooooo fun! I got home after midnight. Jen's student's hubby said we'll all go to Borjomi and Batumi the next day. I don't Jen I won't hold my breath because I know how her people do! They like to make promises. That's it! Just promises.

Saturday, 27 August
For the first time in ages, there were no guests nor kids at the house. I watched The Bachelor, Jake's season online. The host grandma left, I was home alone! I did my laundry and watched some more Bachelor. Jen called and told me she was outside. I went to let them in and the dog wasn't liking her student's daughter very much so they couldn't come in. My host family wasn't here to hold the dog. I wouldn't dare, that thing's HUGE! I don't trust it myself!
They had to go back home.

Back to the PC :).
My host mom came back around 4. Just as she got here, Jen called and they were outside again. We let them in, I had just showered as I was told we won't have water after 2. We left for Clint's house with the daughter. she's ten or something.
It was hot outside. Fortunately, we got a lift from an ex neighbour of mine.

We sat awkwardly with Clintyna. Then we went for a walk. I showed Jen my Police Station and my class. We all walked home via some dirt, dusty road that's supposed to be shorter, according to the daughter. We didn't believe her. It wasn't. And it was dangerous, no pavement.

We had dinner at mine, then we all hung out in my room and watched some funny videos. Clintyna left, Jen and I went to hers. We had dinner there. I just had a bit cos I just age. The meal looked normal and it was warm! Whew! Gold! Macaroni, Viennas and green beans.

It was freezing out! As I was leaving, the student said I can't, her hubby was going to take us to the park. At ten pm in the freezing cold! I obliged! Trying to be nice! I do try, you know!
We picked up his friend from the previous night, who speaks English, I like him, he's smart!
We went to the Observatory. we saw stars: galaxies and milky ways. I also saw an unidentified planet, passing the galaxy. Omg, I feel so smart right now, writing about planets and stuff! It was out of this world! I want to go again, and see actual planets next time. It felt like I was looking through a view master! Thanks mom! That thing was awesome!

We left around 1am, I was cold, and tired, sleepy, couldn't breathe from the smoke in the car. I was ready to go home. They played music and expected me to be all happy clappy like the previous night. I had to fake it;).

Sunday, I stayed in bed the whole day, watching Californication.

Hospitals and German Yogi's

Tuesday 23 August
Work as usual.
I went to the hospital, to have my ankle, heel and shoulder checked out. My shoulder was dislocated a few times in one day about a month ago. Since then, I've been in pain on and off. Lia, My assistant was kind enough to go to the hospital with me and to arrange transport for us.
They took us in a huge police van. The guy drove like a maniac, I thought we'd fly out the window and die! The hospital is depressing. It's Pink, faded pink. And the parking lot is all muddy. It looks almost like a deserted building. There were people inside though, it was cold! Some wings more so than others.
We went in to the doctor's room, there was a nurse and his doctor in there. The doctor must be about 10 years old. She had a huge smile on her face, like she couldn't believe her luck, when she saw me. They both stood in there and stared throughout my consultation. My assistance helped with translation. So we had a full house in there. Fortunately, I didn't have to take my clothes off.

We went to x-ray, we left Harriet and the driver at the waiting area, Lia and I made our way to x-ray. The room was SCARY! Dingy! And dodgy! It looked more like a prison cell, what with the small bed with a grey blanket and grey blankets used as curtains and doors.
The Dr and his assistant went through one of the grey blanket doors, Lia and I, waited a bit, not knowing what to expect next! I was told to sit on the thing, it looked like a steel desk/bed. I did, they took photos of my feet. The thing wasn't stable, I was told to be still. When they told me that, for some reason, I found it really hard to be still. Weird!
They went back in the other room, another lady, magically appeared. She seemed shocked to see me. She had the x-ray, turned the heater on, and heated/dried the x-ray. She almost burnt it because all her attention was on me. While waiting for the exray to heat or dry, there were two women outside the room, randomly standing and staring at me.
Dr came out, took the x-ray from the lady, and told us to follow him. We walked right behind him, when he arrived at the waiting area, his Dr friends came out and checked the x-ray out. So did everyone else at the waiting area, except for Harriet. That would never happen in South Africa!

We went into another room! There were 3Doctors in there. Our driver came and stood by the door. He wanted to hear what was wrong with me, I guess. They asked him to close the door, he came in and closed. I don't think that's what the Dr's meant, but oh well.
Done! They didn't see anything wrong with my ankle, and something was poking out of my heel. It looks exactly as it feels. They told me I need to lose weight. News flash!
They said it's too much salt in my system, due to being overweight. If I can loose 25 or so kg, I'll be fine. I know Doc! Believe me, I DO!

They wrote me a prescription on a random page and referred me to the Poly clinic for physiotherapy.
I got dropped off home.

My host dad's sister was home. She doesn't live with us. Well, not officially. she asked me about the x-ray. I explained to her. She said she might have the same problem. I asked what made her think that. She said because she can't walk. I asked what happens when she does. She said she gets tired therefore she thinks she's sick. Ooooowwwww kkkkaaayyyyy then!

We hung out outside. I got an email from home about a sick close family member. I told the host sister about that. She said, wow, nice watch! Did you buy it here in Georgia! My response was: I'm very worried about my sick family right now, I don't have time to discuss jewellery! I took my phone and left.

I'd met a German tourist over the weekend at the internet café. He said to do dinner when he gets back to the city. He texted that he's back in the city and told me where he was staying. I asked the host sister where that was, the name rang a bell, but what do I know? It was the hotel up the road from here. I went back to my room and chilled. Lately, I've been spending a lot of time at the internet café. Mainly because, I never get a chance to use the internet at the house and partly for peace of mind. I usually, tell the family, I'm going for a walk. Then I'll be gone for no less that 6 hours. Joe, the guy from the internet café, called. It was time to go for dinner.
I told the host sister, I'll see them later, she asked if I'm going to the hotel. I told her no, she sarcastically went, 'oh, you're going for a walk?' I said 'yup!'.

We met at the hotel, I was surprised how nice and normal that hotel looks inside. From outside, it's really not promising at all. and it's affordable.
We went to the pizzeria, sat and talked and laughed and ate margarita pizza. Joe's one of those cool, perfect people. He's a yogi, spiritual person, qualified psychologist, well travelled and generally is a nice person, who had a smile on his face the entire time.
He walked me home around 10pm. We exchanged Contacts and he left, He had to catch a bus to Armenia the next morning.