Svaneti

July 17

The little hotel we stayed at had a tower. Of course we had to climb it.

Mako in the tower

Gill and Mako in the tower

View from the tower

More views

We went to a museum in Mestia. (Mestia has two! This was the original Georgian house used many centuries ago.)

The scene en route

I love these soviet electricity transformers.
They look like creatures from outer space.
They also look extremely dangerous.

Inside the museum.

We met the local representative of the Georgian Women in Business Association.

Svaneti

July 16

On the way to Svaneti.

Gill, Mako and Bob went to Khashuri by marshuka where we cot a second marshutka to Kutaisi with Amy. From Kutaisi we caught a third marshutka to Zugdidi (where Gill broke her foot 18 months ago.) Then we rented a car to take us to Mestia - the heart of Svaneti.

On the way to Svaneti.

Toilet break on the way to Svaneti.

First view of the towers.

Cows

The road was pretty bad between Zugdidi and Mestia.

Amy came to Borjomi and we took her up in the cable car in the water park.

In the water park's Romanov hotel(?)

Later Keti and Vaso came we went for an evening walk in the park with some of their friends.

Nino and her daughter.

Almost as big as she is!

We went to Sagrejo to help Peace Corps with the G9 TEFL training. Irakli met us and Tengo took us for a tour of the area.

The program at the little theatre put on by the dance school was simply wonderful. Children of all ages danced the folk dances from all regions of Georgia. They were enthusiastic, skillful and joyous!

Gill posing with one of the dancers after the show.

Another dancer after the show.

!

Today, Valeri's recent purchases of cows arrived to be shipped off to his land on the way to Akhaltsikhe. We hope he'll make a profit when he sells them in November!



Later Teona visited with her mother and daughter, Keti.

Keti tried on the hat Gill made.

Later, Mako and Mike came! Tomorrow we shall all go on a hike to Marina's lake.

Bolo Zari (Last Bell)

Today was the last bell for the 12th. grade in both of our schools. The lower grades will have their end of term next month.

For the 12th. grade, it's their last day at school and it is a bitter-sweet day for most of them. Most of the girls dress up for the ceremonies earlier in the day. The boys mostly do not - wanting to appear cool in their normal clothes. Many of the girls at #4 school were dressed in black with a white apron. We believe that these are a hangover from communist days. They look, for all the world like a covention of French maids!


The girls at #6 school opted for white blouses, tartan skirts, matching tartan ties! They made the skirts and ties themselves.


At #6 school, the day started with all the 12th. grade congregating in the school yard for a ceremony. There were speeches and awards and pledges of allegiance (to Georgia, of course).

Ketino and Giorgi

Lali and Anna

We then trooped off to the little local theatre where the 12th. grade put on a show, with songs, speeches and sketches.

Anna led the procedings

Nino, tchkviani gogo.

Some junior children put on a show with folk dancing.

Later in the day, there were parties for the 12 grade, their parents and some staff. Luckily, the #4 and #6 schools held them on different days, so we could go to both. Georgians certainly know how to party. They love to dance and are very good at it. It is not considered "sissy" for a boy to dance. In fact, when, as needed for some Georgian dances, they dance "on point", real athleticism is needed.

#4 School Party

#6 School Party