Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Dimi

So I'm in a noisy Internet cafe full of noisy boys yelling at their computers while playing Counter Strike or other various other video games. I have a flash drive full of pictures I'd like to share with all of you, but unfortunately it's proven hopeless. That means the 45 minute bus ride where my shirt grew damp from persperation (not my own) was all in vain.

Aside from this small frustration all is well out here. I've moved to my permanent site, a small village called Dimi (rumored to mean smoke) near the city of Kutaisi. It's nestled in a river valley with steep green hills all around and a large forest seperating it from the city. Since school has yet to begin I spend my days exploring the area, hanging out with my friend Jeff (volunteer in neighboring village), swimming in the river and reading books. Not a bad life, even with 100+degree weather.

All the same, I'm anxious to get to work. I'm plotting various ways to provide my school with much needed resources: books, computers, etc. Because my Georgian is so basic it is very difficult to communicate and thus understand the school's needs, although I'm pretty sure they'd agree that basketball hoops would be a welcome addition to the empty backboards.

I'm holding a summer camp next week where I hope to teach them dodgeball.

My host family is great. Someday I'll get pictures on this thing and you can all see them. I hope to get some photos of my house also. It's a pretty brick and stone house that will be soon be covered with plastic siding. I'd like to get the photo before this "upgrade."

Anyhow, hope all is well with all of you.