Tom vs. The Popular Kids

So I have something surprising to tell everyone back in America. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I have not cured the town’s sick, built a stadium with only a pocketknife and clothes pins, built a bridge (Volunteer’s shot out) convinced people to adopt western style education, enacted programs to reduce unemployment by 100%, or even find enough books for all my students. I think I came to Georgia with a few misconceptions, good and bad, that have been/are being put to the test.

First, I had a feeling I’d be a lot more remote. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I can walk to the corner store and buy whatever I want, and we still kill our own chickens for meat, but I have fairly reliable electricity, water, even internet (that I pay out the butt for). I have more or less, everything I need (though my X-Box would be nice). My first two months I squatted over a hole, now I have porcelain toilets and bathtubs. An electric hot water heater (that is currently struggling to combat the increasing coldness) keeps me warm in the shower. What else do I need? I thought I might be somewhere where I’d dig my own well, latrine, maybe even a straw hut. Not here. The Soviets left decent housing and living conditions for the towns.

Second, I have yet to solve, or even identify the majority of what my community needs. Sure, improving trash collection, building a library, improving the community center are all interesting things, but nobody seems interested in them. If a Georgian in Keda is reading this: “WHAT DO YOU NEEEEEDDDD!!!!”

Third, I am not universally accepted and loved. Being an American in a town of 3,000 people in Georgia is a lot like being the popular kid in high school, but with a lot less girls. Some people love you, and they know what kind of person I am. Some people love me, but have never spoken to me. Some people hate me, and they know me a little bit, but for whatever reason (I didn’t drink with them at 9AM, I refused their cigarettes, I accidently said “sheni deda” and told them “I f***ed your mother” instead of “deda sheni” for "your mother"). Some people hate me, but have never met me before.

For example I had a run-in with some younger 20-something guys that asked me the usual, highly inappropriate questions. When I responded that I did not want to go to a prostitute they began to taunt me. Now, I don’t think STI’s are a laughing matter. Nor do I think the exploitation women for one’s own pleasure is okay. I couldn’t actually say this, so I just smiled, nodded, and walked to do some adult English classes. I don't have to justify my being here in Georgia to anyone, and sure they think they're being funny, but I'm here to do a job. Even if my effort doesn't amount to as much as I would have hoped, I'm still here to do it, and I'm proud/happy to be in such a welcoming country.

Now as for the girls, well girls may be interested, but it’s a BAD idea on my part, and something I personally stay away from. I always get the relationship/love questions: “Do you have love?” “Have you ever been in love?” “Are you going to get married?” “Do you want to marry a Georgian?” “What do you think of Georgian girls?” “What do you think of my daughter?” “Please, take a Georgian back to America” “Why did you and your girlfriends break up?” “Do you still love them?” Now I used to answer like this: “No” “yes” “probably” “I don’t know”” girls everywhere are great” “huh? I don’t understand” “huh? I don’t understand” “Because we weren’t right together, because we were bored, because we weren’t in love anymore, because I wanted to come to Georgia” and “No” respectively. Well most of these answers are fine, but people aren’t interested in them so much. So for example, take this question: “What do you think of Georgian girls?” Me: “I love them, they’re beautiful, smart, and amazing!” Question: “Do you want to marry a Georgian?” Me: “Have somebody in mind?” These responses generally generate more excitement, and people like to hear them. I feel good because they love me for it, and it’s a feel good fest.

I’m tired of writing now. I’m going to Batumi tomorrow to get my residence card, then Tbilisi next week for some awesome Peace Corps events. Will write more about my adventures later.