Consider me lucky, but I’ve had access to internet a few times a week already. With internet comes Skype/Facetime, naturally. I’ve talked to a few people back home and the popular questions thus far is how is my daily life thus far.
Here is a run-down:
- I shower about every 4 days. Don’t say gross, because I’m probably the most showered in my group of volunteers in my village. And no, nobody smells. To be honest, we probably shower too much as Americans because I’m pleasantly surprised how clean everyone still looks and smells with the baby-wipe method. Either way, I’m happy with my shower situation here because mine is indoors and with hot water (I’m so spoiled and I love it!).
- Washing hands with soap and running water is a LUXURY. I can’t say this enough- baby wipes are my life. There is no soap or running water in my school. In fact, my host family today asked if they could borrow some of my baby wipes and I was shocked considering I never used the baby-wipes in front of them, which gets to my next point….
- Word gets around fast. Texting in American is snail mail compared to here. Villagers are extremely well-connected. This could be the result of all the uninvited visits people make to each other’s houses. But I can’t say for sure, because I look like an awkward American slowly sipping her tea in front of several Georgians while they talk away. Either way, I like this part of the Georgian culture. It is apparent how everyone puts an effort into their relationships.
- Some outhouses are better than others. Here is how the point system works with this one- add a point for each of the following: 1) easy hole for aiming- feel free to add two points for this one 2) toilet paper availability 3) sink nearby 4) door to lock 5) enough sunlight peeking through, none I’ve seen have an electric light 6) tiled floor 7) few quantity of bugs/spiders. Here is a tip, do not drop the roll of toilet (or anything else valuable) in the hole. There is no coming back.
- People actually eat raw vegetables straight up. Ever heard of anyone chowing down on a raw garlic without anything else? My host family just peeled it and just started eating it raw at the dinner table without anything else. It was strong, but I actually enjoy it with them now.
- I wear multiple jackets- indoors! There is no central heating system and no insulation in the walls. So when it is cold outside, it is sometimes colder indoors. Let’s just say I’m nervous for the winter. Send me your good vibes now.
- All my meals are cooked for me- I think this is a mostly positive thing. I don’t really have a say on what I’ll be eating, but this is a nice luxury to have especially since how packed our training schedule is every day.