Let me preface this entry by saying that these are NOT at all complaints about Georgia, just things I have noticed and observed, in my short amount of time here.
1. Animal Rights in this country are definitely non-existent. Pets are also not really common. People that do have “pets” usually have dogs that are chained up and aggressive, from not so nice ‘guard dog’ training tactics. Also, many people here chop the ears off their dogs. It’s bizarre looking, but they’re still adorable. They kind of look like little bear ears.
2. Outhouses are the standard. SQUATTING over giant poop-filled holes, that get vacuumed out sporadically, are preferred (or maybe the only means available) over having a non-thigh burning workout that is the sit-down commode. The volunteers have had many discussion about how bizarre it is that all of our families have satellite TVs and really nice houses, but no thoughts on even adding a seat to their outhouse. Just proves how lazy and genius Americans really are!
3. Paved Roads in the villages are few and far between. There is 1 paved road in my PST village and in comparison to some of the other rock/mud roads, it’s far worst for wear. It's the most pot-hole filled street I have ever ventured down. Most of the villagers prefer to drive on the shoulder rather than directly in their “lane.” It’s actually quite humorous because on any given day you see cars criss-crossing the road like figure skaters to find the smoothest path.
4. This leads me to drivers. No one can say that men are better drivers! (OK, so maybe this one is a complaint) I have yet to see any females drive here, but I’m sure any woman here would drive better than the men. They’re insane. Now any of you that know me are well aware that I am a very crazy and aggressive driver. Now take my driving and multiply it by a not over exaggerated amount of about 30. I have been driven in taxis (terrifying), in marshutkas (terrifying), and in cars (terrifying). I think it’s funny that Americans complain about other drivers, but really we have the safest roads out of anywhere I’ve travelled. I’m interested to see what the rest of the 2 years are going to entail.
5. Doctors in Georgia, rather Russian doctors in Georgia, are obviously hard to understand, but their medical facilities are equally questionable. Don’t misunderstand me. I felt completely safe, but when I was getting my x-ray for my ankle, instead of getting a anti-radiation vest like in America, I was given 2 thinly cut sheets of “protection” for my head and genitals. Then the doctor preceded to pull on those protectors and when he pulled them into what I thought was the proper place, he yelled, in Russian, to hold it. Well then stop pulling them down! lol. I guess it will be a while before we will be able to tell if any damage was done to my future children.
6. Butter and coffee are the cure-alls. I’m still trying to determine what nutritional or mineral benefit either provides. Though I think grandmas taking care of you is universal.
7. Women here are hard-ass-workers. They do so much and though they don’t seem to mind it, they don’t really get much out of the deal. Women in the village typically don’t drink, and if they do, it is a very minuscule amount, while a large percentage of men are hammered a good 3 nights out of the week, at the least. They sweep with brooms that look as if they’re made for kids to be toy brooms. Talk about back-breaking. They knead bread, and pick beans, onions, from the garden and cook and bake from scratch. They get the water heated and ready for the family to bathe. They tend to the kids. If you’re a teacher you have that job on top of other house duties. A lot of Georgian women are the sole-providers of their families, so while they work as teachers and tend to the women’s work, their husbands can stand around the railroad tracks or store and have leisurely convo about the goings on of the village. They are far better than I. (a possible future complaint)
8. If you are fortunate to have a hot-water heater it is probably a wood-burning hot water heater. THEY’RE FABULOUS! I have come to see mine as the best gift my host family could’ve given me. I had 2 bucket baths and it was def an experience. I realize how fortunate I am to have hot water in Georgia…(I’m praying my perm site with come complete with a hot-water shower)
9. Georgian people are very warm people. Extremely nice, friendly, and loving, just not in a physical sense. I’m going through severe hug withdrawal. Though I do try and sneak some in here and there with the fellow volunteers.
10. It is a very family-oriented society. When you marry, which in the village can be as early as 13 or 14, you go live with your husband’s family. From the time you move in you will probably live there, raise your children there, and grow old there. Sleeping quarters are very close regardless of how many rooms are in the house. In my house right now, my host Ps and kids sleep in a room off one side of the living room and my host grand-Ps sleep off the other. There are 2 bedrooms upstairs that aren’t even used, but I’m sure that’s where the kid’s bedrooms will eventually be.
that’s all I can think of right now, but then again I’m kind of tired, so I’m sure there are more to come…
