We wanted to ring in 2017 in England with our friends and then head out for an epic adventure in Morocco. As mentioned in the About Us page, Justin and I studied abroad in Amsterdam together in 2009. We became very close to a couple of cool dudes from England. We haven’t seen either of them in a few years and New Years was the perfect way to remedy that. An unintended perk of going to England is experiencing the developed world for 3 days.
When Chris picked us up from Stansted Airport at 1:00 a.m., Justin told him, “I have a feeling you will hear a lot about Georgia the next 3 days.” Georgia was the immediate topic of conversation the second we got in the car. Until that moment, the only time I would speak English to a native speaker in person was another PCV. So some of the conversations with had with Chris just seemed so surreal. To paraphrase some of our conversations:
Conversation 1 [driving home from the airport]
Chris: So sorry for the driving, I can’t really see from the fog [Chris was driving perfectly despite not seeing more than 5 feet ahead]
Me: This is the first time I’m in a car and I’m not scared for my life in 9 months
Chris: …okay…
Justin: Marshutka drivers in Georgia speed like crazy and they like to pass other drivers even on a curvy road on a cliff
Me: Yeah, this is really relaxing
Meanwhile, Chris not happy about driving in the fog
Conversation 2 [first thing in the morning the next day]
Chris and Victoria: What would you guys like to do while you are here? Any activities you want to do in England?
Me: Shower
Chris and Victoria: haha, but seriously
Me: Very serious. I’ve been looking forward to showering the most. Everything else comes second.
Chris and Victoria: (Realizing I’m not joking) Anything else?
Justin: I need to fix my iPhone. Can we go to the Apple Store?
Chris and Victoria realized we may be the easiest people to please
Conversation 3 [15 minutes later]
Me: Anything I need to be aware of for the shower? Is there anything I need to plug in for the water to run?
Chris and Victoria [confused]
Me: Oops! I forgot water runs all the time! In Georgia, I got to plug-in something for the pump to work…(I proceed to explain our complicated water system)
Chris and Victoria: That sounds complicated
Me: Yeah, That’s why daily showers isn’t a thing. I swear, you really don’t smell though.
Conversation 4 (at small, local grocery store)
Rawan: OMFG! THEY HAVE AVOCADOS?! WHO ELSE WANTS AVOCADOS? [I’m touching avocados for the first time in 9 months in a debatably abnormal way]
Everybody: I’m okay, thanks.
Rawan: No, seriously. My life is complete.
Everybody: How are you going to eat them?
Me: I don’t care, I’ll even eat it on plain toast.
I eat it on plain toast later and I realized I put avocados on a pedestal. I repeat, do not eat it plain on toast.
Conversation 5
Tim: So I calculated what 15 pounds are in Georgian Lari.
Me: Yeah, what is it?
Tim: It is nearly 50 Lari
Me: FIFTY LARI! That is how much I spend on food for two weeks at the bazaar!
Tim: Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered for the casino tickets [casino tickets were 15 pounds per person]
Me: That is so generous of you. Are you sure?
Tim: You got no money
Me: [attempting to whip back a come-back with no avail]
After dozens of conversations that sounded like this, our friends weren’t entirely convinced of the wonderful lives we were leading. But Justin and I joked that despite the lack of life conveniences’, we still love our lives in the Peace Corps. I told them that the best part is the relationships I’ve developed in the community. Talking about my Georgian friends, I couldn’t help but feel proud on how much I’ve integrated into the community.
Conversation 6
Me: Georgians are one of the nicest people and they seriously watch out for us
Everybody nods
Me: For example, two days ago, I got my haircut. I was so nervous getting it done because I can’t explain in Georgian very well. So my Georgian tutor spent the whole day finding me an appointment. Then, she came with me to the appointment and had her husband drop us off. She stayed with me the entire time even though she wasn’t getting anything done. I mean, seriously, who else would do that? No one in America would hand-hold me like that.
Victoria: That’s true. I can’t imagine any of my coworkers doing anything like that.
Georgians can be so generous with time and simple gifts. Then I’m pretty sure Justin told them about each time he rides the Marshutka with someone he knows, he fare is paid for. I also told them that my boss has helped me out more times that I can count. When I had trouble with my water at my apartment, my boss was the one who translated and mediated the issue with my landlord. I mean, I wouldn’t dream of dragging my American boss into my personal mess back home.
So when you hear that quote, that “money can’t buy happiness,” whoever said that is 100% correct. However, conveniences can help elevate that happiness when you are stressed. I’m not doubting that part. Basically, I get super elated when I take a hot shower. I get ecstatic when I see clean carpeted floors at a hotel. Hearing English on TV are angels singing through the clouds. But it is important to note, I’m not depressed when I don’t have those things. Because what fuels my happiness (and mental stability) are different things. It makes my day when my counterparts laugh with me as I attempt to speak their language. It makes feel honored when the kids at the daycare center I help out at run up to me when they see me. In life, it is really the little things that count. It is truly the people that matter the most.
As we were ending our vacation in Morocco, Justin and I noticed that were homesick. And I mean homesick for Georgia. I feel like we have built a life in Georgia and it started feeling like home. It doesn’t hurt that when we landed back in Georgia someone recognized me. As we were paying for our bus tickets from the airport to the city center, the cashier said, “I remember you. We had a training together.” She said it with such confidence that I totally believed her. Now, what training is she talking about? I have no clue. Do I even remember this woman? No, but maybe she does look familiar? Either way, it is a good sign of community integration.
