Gremi Old Church, Take 1

Amy had the brilliant idea of getting all the TLG volunteers and other English-speakers in Kakheti together to share files and actually use our native tongue again.  She invited us all to see the old church at Gremi, which is quite impressive. 

This is as close as I got to it.

Much more interesting was the café below the church.  After all, that’s where all the English speakers were. 

And Afrikaans speakers.  Nombulelo finally met Benjami, and the two of them took to each other like long-lost sisters.  They were so happy for a chance to speak Afrikaans with each other that I don’t think they spoke a word of English for the rest of the afternoon. 

I met Kaitlynn and Jamie, both of whom are living fairly close to Telavi.  Anna told us about the fertility jam her co-teachers have given her.  Amy told us all about the marshrutka driver who tried to kidnap her and the indignant reaction of her host grandmother.  It would seem that her host grandmother is just like Yoda.  Benjami told us all of the calf that had died in the stream above her village, which no one can explain.  Andrew told us about the rather interesting greeting he has taught his students in lieu of “good morning.”  I’ll leave that one up to your imagination.

Names have been changed to protect the innocent.

After making it safely back to Telavi (never a certainty on a marshrutka), Anna and Toby invited me to dinner at Emma’s flat.  It was glorious.  We had spinach salad with no mayonnaise and baked macaroni and cheese.

Just like home, except with Borjomi and Kubiti...

Emma made an apple pie for dessert, and there was even vanilla tea with milk.  I went to bed very happy in the belly region that night.

The cause of much joy