Travel Truths I Am Observing In Georgia

• The internet makes being abroad totally different than it was 10 years ago.  
• Skype is awesome.  Have a problem with your credit card?  Call the credit card company and talk to a rep.  
• Online banking and other online financial information is super convenient.  
• Online stuff means I know what's happening with people at home.  
• Internet means any information I want, I can get.  Also, I can download movies. 
• Technology is great.  
  
• Cafes with wifi are awesome.  And worth the higher coffee prices. 
• Mini computers can be your primary computer.  
• Even if your smart phone doesn't work as a phone, it's great for wifi.  
• The Massachusetts library networks are incredible.  Reserving and downloading ebooks to an ereader is easy, fast and cheap.  Highly awesome when there's free time aplenty! 

• Russian is a super useful skill in some places.  Like Georgia.  And Armenia.  Honestly, I don't know how people can get around in some places without it. 
• Smoking is gross.   I don't like breathing poisonous air, and it annoys (actually, angers) me when I don't have a choice. 

• The comforts of home aren't necessary.  
• Wear the same two or three shirts and pants all the time is a little boring, but it makes getting dressed in the morning easy as there are so few choices.  
• Once can have a comfortable bathing experience with 3 litres of hot water.  
• When hard water and shampoo don't mix, try baking soda.  
• One can dry ones self with a wash cloth.  Just wring it out.  
• Who says you cannot make something like filter coffee with a Turkish grind and a pot on the stove? 
• Bottled water is over-rated.  Even if you're outside the US. 
• The hardest part of a trip is the "planning and get going part".  Once you're on the train, it's easy.  
• Host country nationals are similar in many ways.  It seems that... 
• Everyone thinks their country has delicious food.  Sometimes it's not so delicious.  But it would be rude to say that. 
• Everyone thinks that a particular dish is "ours".  Like Georgian host-mother who was surprised I'd had dolma before; she didn't realize the Greeks and Turks also make them - and sell them all over the world in their restaurants.  (Also, the Armenians and other make them, too.)  
• Everyone thinks that getting an "English speaker" to talk to me is going to helpful.  But sometimes the "English speaker" has skills that are so limited, it's not worth the effort.  This is particularly true when people get their grandchildren who are "studying English in school". 
• No one seems to understand that an ice coffee is filter coffee poured over ice.  Why am I being asked about ice cream!?!  Also, an Americano and filter coffee are not the same thing. 
• Everyone thinks that tea is caffeine free. 
• Sometime people kill what could be perfectly tasty food.  
• Mayonaise should never be added to pizza in lieu of cheese.  
• Hot dogs are not a food product and shouldn't be added to anything.  
• Boiling vegetables to death is a horrible way for a vegetable to die. 
•  Be prepared.  
• Bring your own Swiss Army knife.  
• It's not cheating to bring your own vegetable peeler. 
• Nyquil, Dayquil, Immodium.  
• Ear plugs, eye mask

• There's no need to always go with the cheapest option.
• Yes, I continue to buy extra virgin olive oil.  And balsamic vinegar.  It's tasty. 
• Sometimes the best way to get somewhere is to hail a cab.  Especially if you've got luggage.  
• Just because Georgians seem to consume 80% of their calories in the form of khachepuri (cheesy bread) and sliced bread doesn't mean I need to.