That means, where is Thomas?...but my brain in English reads it as Sad Is Thomas... I'm sad writing this blog today because it will likely be the last blog I'll write from Georgia. I'll try to do a follow up when I get back to Dublin, but life may grab me by the collar and not let go for a while.
Georgia has been one of the most profound experiences of my life. In complete honesty, I do not want to leave. I love it here. The people (even the grumpy ones) are wonderful. Georgian hospitality is unrivaled anywhere in the world. The language, the food, the music, the amazing scenery and most importantly the friends I've made here. My classmates and teachers who just let me be Thomas. Shota, my friend who has walked with me almost everyday for the last 4 weeks translating and taking care of me. I will miss him the most. We recorded two songs...we're still mixing but they should be ready by Sunday when I fly. The rock and roll number is great fun and the heavy metal track is also something I'm really proud of.
I can't say goodbye right now, because I still have 3 more days...and things are swirling around my head so fast I can't really concentrate.
I could list the places I've been like St. George's White Monestary but that probably won't mean a lot to too many of you reading this...instead, I'll tell you that I have fallen even more in love with Georgia than I was when I arrived. I will be back, and very soon. Hopefully in September of 2010. I was the worst student in language class, but I suspect I've learned the most.
Thank you for reading my blog. I hope you've enjoyed it.
Gaumarjos Sakartvelo! Didi madlobaht qualaperi tvees. Shen gkakvs chemi ghuli.
Thomasi
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Blogging is HARD!
I don't remember what I've written last or when. Time on the internet is a precious commodity so I can't spend too much time looking at old posts - but maybe I should so I don't repeat myself.
A few important items of note. We went to the Mt. Kazbegi region, stopping in the village of Ananuri on our way where I was able to dip my toes in the lake. Our neighbor friend Levani was there and he came to meet us which was really nice. Nothing like a mountain lake on a hot summer day...really wanted to swim but we didn't have time.
My friend Shota gave us a bottle of cha cha which is kind of like a homemade Georgian vodka and everyone was going to have just a taste but it was so good they all got locked on it! The next morning we woke at 5:45am to get a good view of Mt. Kazbegi which is usually covered in clouds. Its a good thing we did because we saw this GIANT of a mountain covered in snow and it was breathtaking. Speaking of breathtaking, we hiked up to Gorecki Cathedral which was one of the hardest climbs I've ever done...not to imply that I've done a lot of climbs! But it was HARD! This church was built in the 10th century as a pagan site and then in the 14th century it became a Christian church. This GORGEOUS church has stood on top of this mountain for 1000 years! That is crazy.
On the way home I bought a papakhi on the road side...you'll just have to wait for the photos but it matches my hair!
On Tuesday Shota and I went into the studio to record one of his rock and roll songs...its so rock and roll its actually called Rock And Roll. It turned out really good and he's mixing down the vocals now. It will be included on his second album but I'm hoping to also release it on line as a Tom Dunning & Your Boyfriend's song. We're going back into the studio on Friday or Saturday to record the heavy metal song Crazy Girl. He want's me to sing like Ozzy. I don't even know what that means!! Ha ha ha! Shota has been the best friend to me here...everyday we are hanging out and he's taking me to all the different places I want to go in Tbilisi. I will miss him a lot when I go back to Dublin. Its only 11 days now so I want to stretch it out as long as I can...I really don't want to leave and I'm already planning a return visit. My language hasn't come on as well as I'd like, but I've chosen other educational experiences here in Georgia so I'm not dissatisfied at all.
Oh, last thing...saw BRUNO at the cinema last night. Now, Sean and I saw it in Dublin and I found it hilarious and brave filmmaking. It was just as good in RUSSIAN(wtf???) with no subtitles! Laughed a lot and still found it very insightful to the phenomena of homo-hatred.
This weekend, our last excursion is to Khaketi...we'll visit Tsinandali, Telavi, Signagni and Bodbe.
Will definitely try to get at least one more blog post up before the end of the trip!
Be well,
Thomas
A few important items of note. We went to the Mt. Kazbegi region, stopping in the village of Ananuri on our way where I was able to dip my toes in the lake. Our neighbor friend Levani was there and he came to meet us which was really nice. Nothing like a mountain lake on a hot summer day...really wanted to swim but we didn't have time.
My friend Shota gave us a bottle of cha cha which is kind of like a homemade Georgian vodka and everyone was going to have just a taste but it was so good they all got locked on it! The next morning we woke at 5:45am to get a good view of Mt. Kazbegi which is usually covered in clouds. Its a good thing we did because we saw this GIANT of a mountain covered in snow and it was breathtaking. Speaking of breathtaking, we hiked up to Gorecki Cathedral which was one of the hardest climbs I've ever done...not to imply that I've done a lot of climbs! But it was HARD! This church was built in the 10th century as a pagan site and then in the 14th century it became a Christian church. This GORGEOUS church has stood on top of this mountain for 1000 years! That is crazy.
On the way home I bought a papakhi on the road side...you'll just have to wait for the photos but it matches my hair!
On Tuesday Shota and I went into the studio to record one of his rock and roll songs...its so rock and roll its actually called Rock And Roll. It turned out really good and he's mixing down the vocals now. It will be included on his second album but I'm hoping to also release it on line as a Tom Dunning & Your Boyfriend's song. We're going back into the studio on Friday or Saturday to record the heavy metal song Crazy Girl. He want's me to sing like Ozzy. I don't even know what that means!! Ha ha ha! Shota has been the best friend to me here...everyday we are hanging out and he's taking me to all the different places I want to go in Tbilisi. I will miss him a lot when I go back to Dublin. Its only 11 days now so I want to stretch it out as long as I can...I really don't want to leave and I'm already planning a return visit. My language hasn't come on as well as I'd like, but I've chosen other educational experiences here in Georgia so I'm not dissatisfied at all.
Oh, last thing...saw BRUNO at the cinema last night. Now, Sean and I saw it in Dublin and I found it hilarious and brave filmmaking. It was just as good in RUSSIAN(wtf???) with no subtitles! Laughed a lot and still found it very insightful to the phenomena of homo-hatred.
This weekend, our last excursion is to Khaketi...we'll visit Tsinandali, Telavi, Signagni and Bodbe.
Will definitely try to get at least one more blog post up before the end of the trip!
Be well,
Thomas
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