Rustavi: Building Behind Me 080411

Today's Building Behind Me:

Building Behind Me 080411

Rustavi Lunch, Rain, Drink, and Dance

The ladies of "my" building invited me and my hostess, Nino, to lunch. Every building has some outdoor space with a couple of picnic tables. All morning, I'd noticed women and some men clearing up the environs, picking up trash, pruning trees and clearing brush, and then burning grass.

In the afternoon, Nino indicated that we were to go out to lunch at what I thought was her friend's house, who'd I'd met yesterday. So I put on my hat and threw my bag over my shoulder. Nino kind of laughed, but we headed out. That's when I realized why Nino had laughed - we were only going down to the communal yard.

The ladies had prepared a great picnic - khinkali, watermelon, and various other dishes. They'd filled a couple of small wading pools for the kids to play in - it was very hot. There was also cold beer, mineral water, and some kind of soda.

Khinkali. Dumpling filled with meat and juices. Credit: Chef Premier

We had a pleasant time, stumbling along in hashed English and Georgian. Later, I shared the photos I'd brought. Among all of them, the photo of a family pig roast, with said pig, on said roast, being the highlight of the photo, evoked from the Georgians sighs and poetry (and may I suggest, even tears) of love toward the deliciousness of roast pork.

One husband sent off for tcha-tcha, a powerful Georgian alcoholic beverage, made with the dregs of the wine making. I think it's on the order of vodka, but made with grape base. To go with the tcha-tcha was brought cherry juice. One downs the shot of tcha-tcha and then follows that with the cherry chaser. I had three shots.

Amazing how much clearer one's vision becomes and how much more skilled one becomes in the local language after three shots of tcha-tcha.

Later met the son of Nino's sister and two of his friends. Had another beer. Watched a Georgian dance video, which I show below. It is a classic military dance - I think you'll agree it is pretty fantastic. After that is another video, with English subtitles, on the "legend" of Georgian dance.





   
The afternoon brought a cooling and drenching rain. The streets are the storm drainage system.

View from my bedroom

View from my bedroom - the rain created a lake in the courtyard. 

Rootless Rule #2: Be Prepared for Cold

I looked at the weather forecast before I left for one of my Jefferson City pieds-a-terre. In the 50s on Saturday, but in the 60s for Friday and Sunday.

How was it possible I forgot how cold it can feel in the 50s, especially when it's cloudy?

And what had I packed? A pair of sandals I can't wear socks with. And for body warmth, only a thin sweater or overshirt. Consequences: I didn't take an outdoor walk with Tim that he wanted to go on.

So Rootless Rule #2: Always have (in my bag or car) a cool-weather jacket or pullover, and a pair of shoes and socks.
 

Rootless Rule #1: Spare Glasses Don't Help if You Don't Have Them With You

When I went to Ethiopia, I took a spare pair of reading glasses with me. Didn't need it, fortunately,

Photo credit: Today's Deals

So after I return, I chill for a few days, then go to one of my vacation homes on the Missouri Rivieria (@ Chez Katherine), only to leave my spare safely in a drawer at home base. What happens? My glasses break.

Important lesson: When one is rootless, that means keeping a spare set of glasses in one's bags at all times. I now have a spare in both of my bags.

Another thing - I purchased my glasses (bought two pairs at once) at Walmart Vision Center. Yes, I freely admit this. Two pairs for a hundred bucks. If my glasses break I can go just about anywhere in the country and get them repaired. If they're still under the one-year warranty (at no additional charge, thank you very much, Sears), I can get my lenses popped into replacement frames on the spot.

It happened that the local Walmart was out of my frames, but the employee called my home-base Walmart, which had one last pair. That Walmart set this pair aside til I returned the following day. Replaced my old frames. No charge.