So far, so far, so good
Morning routine:
Monday through Saturday I get up around 7am, get dressed and head downstairs for breakfast. We have a toilet attached to the house so I take care of business and eat whatever there is. Breakfast is generally small (after much negotiation) consisting of one or two of the following: runny oatmeal (porridge), bread, eggs, khatcho (a fresh cheese), sour cream, jam, honey, peanut butter, and nutella. I will drink some instant coffee and head out the door, up the stairs and out the gate at about 8am. I then walk to school which takes about 20 minutes. Lately it is taking longer due to some major water improvements that require the road to be completely destroyed. I make my way through th gauntlet of mud, wood planks and livestock. There are always cows, pigs and chickens along the way. Dogs are omnipreasant which is probably why there aren’t many cats.
The food issue is just that, an issue. It is no surprise that one of the first imperatives I learned was “Tchame!” or “Eat!” My host grandmother or bebia, is very concerned with what I eat. I never eat enough and it pains her. I am continually asked “Are you on a diet?” to which I just laugh and say nothing. I used to try to explain one thing or another but it isn’t that important to me anymore. In the last month and a half we have had three serious discussions about what I like to or what I will eat. I am pretty easy to please but the heart of the problem is this: I will not eat as much as she think I should. It does not help that in the beginning I would try to eat a little of everything and not say that I didn’t want anything. I was trying to be polite but now I just say that I don’t want something and let her do her thing. It is really a good exercise in how to stand up for what you want without being offensive but also not trying to control someone else’s response. Yay growth!
I am writing downstairs with my bebia. She is watching TV and has asked the “How much was that?”. The cultural norm for money discussions is a lot different. I told her that I got it (net book) for my birthday and it cost $200. She makes $400 GEL a month with her pension. So yeah. It does nothing for the misconception that all Americans are rich. It isn’t really an issue. She will tell the neighbors and they will think what they will but the Minister of Education in Georgia is trying to give all kids in school laptops so it isn’t a crazy idea that i have one.
In the spirit of saving something to write about tomorrow, I will close.
ramemshvidobis!
Does your bebia think that perhaps you don’t like her food? I wonder if they would insist that I eat, being the rotund one that i am…
i miss you like crazy!
I totally understand the eating issue. Whenever we visit India and are invited to eat, our hosts are always sad if we don’t take more than one plate full of food (and when I say “full,” I mean jam-packed with stuff.). And of course, you don’t want to insult them, but you don’t want to explode, either.
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying your experience so far, and I’m even happier that you’re sharing it with us. Can’t wait to hear more about it!!
yay growth, i like that the link was on the facebook and love to talk to you from Skype! Hey need more instant coffee?
@Sunu Exactly. I think I got more of a say when the novelty wore off. Although I did enjoy those huge meals in the beginning with the many plates of food
@Brandee Me too! or as we say in Georgia “Mets!”
@Cylinda no we have plenty (one of the problems with having products with only foreign-to-you languages is that “decaf” goes undetected to the non-English speaker)
@Chris She does think that despite my reassurance. I think being bigger exacerbates the problem “Why don’t you eat as much as I think you should?” You, my friend, would be well fed and doted upon. You would have to put up with little old women patting your belly though.
About the Picture: That is Lali (back) and Nata (fore)sitting on a stack of lumber hammering nails with rocks.