I'm on day 2 :)

Welcome to Georgia!  I have arrived in T’bilisi.  It took us two days to travel here.  Luckily, we had a 12-hour layover in Warsaw, Poland and we were able to explore some of the city.  We took a 45-minute bus ride from the airport to the city center.  We explored a small part of the Old Towne, found a monument dedicated to the Uprising, etc.  I forgot to mention that while walking around Warsaw, it was snowing big, beautiful flakes, but it was very windy.  I did not mind that much.  I was cold, but I was in Poland! J After lunch and the attempt to find the Warsaw Ghetto, we went back to the airport and waited to get on the plane.

This picture is in the Old Town Square of Warsaw in front of the Royal Castle!

We arrived in T’bilisi at 5 o’clock in the morning, and were welcomed by the local media news crew.  There were a few TLG participants who gave interviews on camera.  I had heard rumors that the media would be interested in us, but I did not actually believe that they would be there as soon as we stepped off the plane.  It was a little strange to have my picture taken because I’m sure that I did not look my best after two days travel and it was also 5am.  Very attractive.  Ha! 

We, the TLG members, are staying at the Bazaleti Hotel in T’bilisi.  It really has been two full days, but due to the jet lag, lack of sleep, and busy orientation schedule it feels like I have been here for weeks.  The only thing I regret is that I have not seen very much of the city so far.  I made the mistake of sleeping during the time that we were designated to use for exploring… or sleeping.  I took the sleeping route.  We have a Shopping Excursion scheduled for Friday and I will be able to get to see the city a little bit then.  I am planning to come back for a weekend or a day-trip later on in my semester.

So far during our orientation, we have had seminars on Georgian Language, Safe Transportation, Intercultural Training and more.  I am really enjoying the language classes and I feel like I’m picking it up fairly quickly.  I just have to concentrate on private study time to keep my mind fresh.  However, my favorite session so far was the “Stereotyping” section of the Intercultural Training.  We had written down the areas where we were from on a piece of paper (e.g. I wrote “Wisconsin”) and then taped it to your back.  Then we went around the room writing down stereotypes that we know of in everyone’s areas.  Things that people wrote on my sheet were:

-Cheese

- Fireworks

- Funny, mid-western accent

I suppose that those would be correct, except for the fireworks comment.  I did not know that Wisconsin was known for its Fireworks production.  You learn something new everyday!  After that, we went over the stereotypes that Georgians have of foreigners/TLG volunteers.  Their stereotypes:

-Brave

- Dedicated

- Adventurous

- Willing to learn another language

- Willing to visit an exotic country

- Privileged

- Rich (we don’t need to work)

- Knowledgeable

- Movie Stars (That explains why the media met us at the airport)

- All Americans live in L.A. or New York

- Not family orientated

- High divorce rates

- And the biggest conspiracy theory is that we are all Spies

I loved hearing what the general Georgian population thought of us because I had no idea what they thought of us.  I suppose the only stereotypes that I have for Georgians are:

-       - I have been told that they are very welcoming and hospitable, I’m hoping that’s the case

-       - Crazy drivers!

-       - Very curious about foreigners

That’s about all I have heard or experienced at this point.  I am interested to see how these generalizations will change after getting my assignment and meeting with my host family.  I can’t wait to see what happens in Intercultural class tomorrow!  Plus learning more Georgian!  J

K’argad!

Adventure is out there!