I
have never been a blogger. In fact, I don’t read blogs. But given
that I feel “a picture is worth a thousand words” and there was also
quite a bit of interest in my move to Georgia, I thought I’d look into
blogging in order to share photos and impressions.
When
I started considering a blog the name “Making Good” immediately came to
mind. More specifically, the phrase “Making good on a threat” popped
into my head. For several years now I have been joking that “one day I
am going to pack up my things, put them in my parents’ basement, and fly
off somewhere”. Just before Christmas 2011 I was pretty sure I was
going to do it. When I bought that large package of dental floss at BJs
two days after Christmas, I knew I had made my decision. This winter I
enrolled in a TEFL certification course, submitted an application, and
made a bunch of medical appointments. Several months later, guess where
all my stuff is currently. Yup - my parents’ basement. So, I’m making
good on that threat.
But
“Making Good” has other connotations. Like making good of a bad
situation. Namely using where I was in 2011 to get me here.
Or simply going out there and working to make some good in the world.
After
many years in Boston, it was time to get overseas again. Flying into
Tbilisi, looking down on snow capped mountains and green forests, I was
reminded of how much I enjoy going to new places. Upon seeing Tbilisi
for the first time, my thought was “Why didn’t I do this years ago!?!”
So,
here I sit. In Tbilisi, in a country that most Americans know nothing
about, a place that was inaccessible until two decades ago, listening to
music coming in the open window from a restaurant that reminds me of one on
the hills of Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria (where I studied in 1997). Today I
used my Russian to communicate with taxi drivers and shopkeepers, bought
baked goods and pears and the largest fruit roll up in the world
(apricot), saw kids (possibly Roma - aka Gypsy) begging, and was
reminded that it’s time for making good.
Where are you?
I’m currently in the Republic of Georgia - which borders
the Black Sea, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia.
Wait... not the state of Georgia? Isn’t Georgia part of Russia?
No. While Georgia was part of the USSR, Georgia is its own country.
What are you doing in Georgia?
I’m here with the Georgian government’s
program to increase the level of English language in Georgia.
Why
Georgia?
I’ve been interested in traveling to Georgia since my time
teaching in Russia. I figured I’d get a better view of the country if I
was around for more than a few weeks. ;) So, inspired by a friend who did
the program last year, I decided to sign up. I started the application process in January and left Boston on the 17th of April.
For how long?
I’m here from mid-April until December. Eight months feels both long and short. I was in Russia for 24 months, so my time in Georgia will be 1/3 that period of time. Also, I have an interest in traveling throughout Georgia as well as visiting Armenia, Azerbaijan and Eastern Turkey, so I have lots I want to see in the coming months.
What’s are you doing there?
I will be teaching English to elementary school kids
in a location to be determined in the coming days. I will be working
with local English language teachers. I enjoyed the two years I spent teaching in Saratov, Russia and thought it would be a fun way to get overseas again.
Are you there alone?
No, there are 15 people in my groups. And a new groups comes over every two weeks.
What
language do they speak in Georgia?
Georgian is the language spoken
here. Many people speak some Russian and there are also Armenian and
Azerbaijani communities. I've found Russian to be helpful when speaking to people (especially those over 40) in the capital of Tbilisi. I will see how useful Russian is elsewhere. Interestingly, signage is often not in Russian (clearly the old signs have been removed over the past 20 years).
What does it look like?
The capital reminds me a bit of Bulgaria and also Russia. Photos will be posted. So far it has been warm, sunny, and the people are friendly.
