Changes on the Homefront.

I'm sorry that I have been delinquent in posting updates, but the internet has been screwy and honestly, I was a bit lazy.

My big news is that tomorrow I am moving in with my new family. Officially, Peace Corps (with my help) concluded that my location was not ideal during the winter and that I should be moved as soon as possible. My family was not pleased to hear it, but they understood, I think. I have been invited back anytime, which is good. My new family is on the other side near the third volunteer in town. It is an apartment which means significantly warmer in the winter because of the low ceilings, they even have a heater for my room. The family is great. There are two daughters who live there, plus two more who are married and live in nearby villages. The mother, Galina, is Russian teacher in a village very close by. Lela, the older daughter, works at the University and Maia is in school. I am not sure of Otari’s, the dad, occupation. They are a very warm family. I can’t wait to move in.

Update: I went on two excursions two weekends ago and I had a great time. Five volunteers and one visitor from the US came into town, plus we met up with Iris in Aspindza. On Friday, there were only four volunteers in town, plus the three of us who live here, we went on a hike to Sapara, which is this monastery about a two and half hour hike from Akhaltsikhe. We brought some food and water with us, so we could have a picnic nearby. The monastery was gorgeous. There was a storage facility that looked straight out of Hobbitville. There are monks that live nearby and maintain the monastery. The view from Sapara was amazing, especially because the leaves had started to turn. I do have some pictures from it that I will be sending to home to the States. It started to rain as we were getting ready to leave and it just so happened that there was a bus nearby, full of rambunctious Georgian teenagers. As it turned out the bus was full of students from Borjomi, who happen to have the volunteer at their site as their teacher – she was not with them because her brother had come to visit. It was quite the adventure. As we approached Akhaltsikhe, I had my first autographing moment. The kids on the bus came around with autograph books for each of us sign. The teachers are used to this, but this was my first time. It was funny. We did take a group picture afterward. They were nice, but a little loud.

Dwayne had two guests, Chris had one and I had one and since he lives on a different side of town, we parted ways after we were dropped off. Chris, Aaron, Helen, and I went out and had Georgian pizza for dinner. Georgian pizza has mayonnaise on it, so naturally we ask for it without it. We have yet to understand why, but it’s all good. In Tbilisi, the G4s alerted us to a great pizza and pasta restaurant. It’s delicious. Ok, after dinner we went home and I got a call from G4 Sarah that she and her friend in the states were in town and needed a place to crash. It all worked out and I ended up with three guests Friday night.

It was an interesting couple of days. Helen, who is a G4, trained outside of Tbilisi and it just so happens that her family is related to my permanent family. This family met Helen a couple of months ago. Helen speaks Georgian very well and that is also helpful. I will be hanging out with her a lot because she is the G4 Co-director of GLOW camp.

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early, had breakfast then made our way to the marshutka station so that we could buy tickets for everyone and then head to Aspindza. We met up with Iris and took our stuff to her house. This is my third trip there. Her host family is great and they have a beautiful home. I will be back there next month and possibly before that. It is likely that I will visit after Iris leaves.

Iris had rented out a marshutka for our trip to Vardzia. At first, the driver would not accept payment, but we insisted upon paying for his gas and a bit more. We stopped at a castle’s ruins on the way and explored a bit. It was pretty cool. Anyone who comes to visit really should check out all of this. From the castle we made our way to Vardzia. Iris and Dwayne had been there before, but I am not sure about anyone else. Iris has never had to pay before because she was with family. Throughout this country though, when foreigners are present, the price of goods jumps. It is usually about a lari to go into Vardzia, the people there attempted to charge us five dollars, which we refused to pay and Iris got it down to three and a half lari. The people at the office were taken aback when Iris started haggling with them. It still throws Georgians when we speak in Georgian, they do not expect it. Iris and Helen speak Georgian very well, which is even more surprising for the Georgians. The complex caves and tunnels were only exposed after an earthquake broke away part of the structure to reveal it to the outside world. We had a great time exploring. King Tamar who hid out in these caves to elude people who were trying to murder her. There is a part of where one can drink Tamar's tears and make a wish. We all did it and took pics.

We had a great time in Vardzia and then on the way back the marshutka that we had rented broke down. We thought the driver had it all set, but alas it was not meant to be. We were actually towed by a dump-like truck for a bit until we thought the motor was working. We ended up having to switch marshutkas for about half of the trip home. Always an adventure in Georgia. We all ended up at Iris' house for quite the feast. The food was amazing. Dwayne, Stephanie, and Andy headed back to the Akh for the night, but Chris, Aaron, Sarah, Alani, Helen, and I stayed at Iris' house. Her family has a projector with sound system so that we can watch DVDs on the wall. It is amazing. We drank hot cocoa and watched Clueless and the Princess Bride.

The next day we had a great breakfast and headed off. We had to squeeze into a marshutka which meant that Aaron sat on his sleeping bag and Chris stood. Good times. The travelers were sent on their way and those of us who live in the Akh hung out for the rest of the day.

It was a fabulous weekend, but rather hectic considering the number of people involved. This weekend is Halloween and there is Peace Corps party in Gori which is a city near Tbilisi. I'm not sure where Gori ranks in terms of larger cities, because I have heard population estimates that range from 70,000-200,000. That's Georgia for you.

Well I had better run. I promise to not wait so long to post again. Take care everyone.

Sara