Just some Updates:

I don’t think there will be a may review, because there are too many things I want to post about right now instead of later. Here are some.

As I walked home from school the other day, I saw no fewer than 12 huge military helicopters fly extremely low right over my village.  I was a little worried for a minute, but my host mother set me straight --- “Chveni Mesoblebi!” (Our neighbors!) Apparently we live next to a Georgian army air-base, and the warm weather means flight drills.

Kutaisi day: I forgot to post about this when it actually happened, but Kutaisi day was really cool. May 2^nd is a special holiday just for Kutaisi, and different areas of our region (Imereti) gathered in a wooded park outside the city. Each group brought dancers and singers and their own supra spread. After all the performances, there was a huge fair in the park square, where they had finally finished a beautiful new fountain and set up a grandstand for Music. I stayed out with some friends to see the fireworks and a famous Georgian singer who I only know as “That rock-star lady on TV with the long ponytail.” Maybe one of the best days I’ve had in Georgia: Georgian culture, great friends, good times. 

In relation to Kutaisi day, we found the best hot chocolate in Georgia: It’s in a bar called “Bar” next to a casino called “Totalizator.” Oh, Georgia…

The cure for my stomach flu seemed obvious to everyone but me.

Host grandfather: “What? Sarah’s sick? Well, just give her a shot of cha-cha [homemade vodka, remember] mixed with a SPOONFUL OF SALT.”

Host Dad: “Yeah, that’ll fix you right up.”

Neighbor Lady (yelling from the next house over): “Drink it, Sarah, it’s good for you!”

Host grandmother: “Here’s a boiled potato to chase it with. Drink up!”

I feel better now, but I'm still (as always) avoiding my creepy, smelly outhouse. You can't win 'em all, Georgia.


Love,
Sarah