Living in Georgia has a way of making one thankful for the small things - I thought it would be appropriate to list some of those things, because, frankly, they make me smile and that's just nice. Thanksgiving here is absolutely like every other day - if C hadn't talked about it, I honestly wouldn't even know that it was today (she's good at remembering important dates. I am not.)
So, without further ado, here is my list, in convenient top 10 form. Why top 10? Because it's the most likely to get this post Dugg and catapult our blog into revenue production! Yay! Oh, wait, no, that's for other people. I'm actually doing it so I can show off my ability to count in English.
10. Waking up with electricity in house. It is awesome to turn the switch and have light in your room. Go for a morning or two without it, and you'll see just how freaking amazing electricity actually is.
9. Finding fresh produce. We're firmly on the 'white diet' that predominates Georgian winter months. "Why Brenden, why is it called the white diet?" Well, I'm so glad you asked! Bread, cheese, potatoes, noodles - yes, my friends, these things are all white. And they will continue to be white. And you will continue to eat them every day for the next 4 months while praying that the mandarins come in soon. Hence, finding foods that are a different color is fantastic, and makes me happy.
8. Getting to the office, finding out it has electricity, reading my email, and drinking a piping hot cup of tea. This one needs no explanation.
7. Walking back from the office, listening to my zen player, and looking at the stars on clear nights. Akh shuts down after 6pm - people go home. Very few restaurants are open (i think there are 2) so the streets tend to be deserted. It's incredibly peaceful, and a nice walk. Also, it does not require me to speak in Georgian. That is awesome.
6. Having running water. The only reason our house has water 24/7 is that there is a 1000 liter tank on our roof. Normally, we'd have water 2 hours a day in the morning, but crafty Inga and Merab installed what I refer to as the 'tank 'o wonder.' This means that our toilet flushes. Every time. AWESOME. My office does not have running water. This is not awesome.
5. Having a hot shower. Living with the tank 'o wonder is amazing. The downside is that the tank 'o wonder is outside, made out of metal, and is never going to be heated. At night, the temperature drops to the 20s. This means that the water coming out of the tap is about 38 degrees. That is cold. However! Crafty Inga and Merab have a wood-fired hot water heater for showers. The bathroom, which is on the outside of the house (but still technically 'inside') is tiled. Normally it is cold. Very cold. But, when the wood fire is going, it is toasty warm. The water is warm. And life involves soap and smelling nice. It is pleasant.
4. Having the marsh leave a) on time and b) without the drunken funny-smelling man sitting next to you. Marsh rides will pretty much never be fun, but it is always worth being thankful for them when they don't reek of vodka and beer at 8.30 in the morning. Or, if the person who reeks of vodka decides to stop singing and just get off. That makes me happy.
3. Cooking food in a warm kitchen with the encouragement of our host family. It is really pleasant to cook, talk, and just be around the stove, having friends over, and not stress pretty much anything.
2. Having an awesome host fam who gives us space, but allows us into their lives. Inga and Merab are awesome, and not just for the tank 'o wonder and the hot shows and the wonderful food - they're giving, warm, and caring. I honestly think that our stay in Georgia is so much more tolerable because of them and their care for us. This one isn't even worth trying to be funny on.
1. Having C with me. It's totally sweet. English: Check. Interesting: Check. Funny: Check. Intelligent: Check. Totally hot: Check. Totally hot in the sense of sharing a bed in a 40 degree room: Check. All-around-wonderful: Check.
Life is good, and there's so much to be thankful for that I haven't even mentioned. We miss you all, and I hope that the american supra at the Phillips' goes well. Give our love to everyone!
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3 comments:
Ah... That was really wonderful to read Brenden. Thanks.
Reminds me of the verse:
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work... Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? (Ecc4)
I'm glad that you're doing well, walking back in the dark, llstening to music & seeing the stars sounds rather idealic. Of course, I'm used to have electricity upon getting back :-)
That was lovely to read. :) I hope you two are doing well and having a great weekend!
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