So, here we are in the other Georgia.  We arrived on August 21 at 3:45am after about a 24-hour journey, complete with an epic 8-hour layover in the Warsaw airport (a post just about that is forthcoming).  Hence, our blog title (thank YOU, Chris Akridge!), "Midnight Plane to Georgia."  Well, that and the fact that "Georgias on My Mind" was already taken (thank YOU, Holly Borrow!).

We were met at the airport by Maia (our "fixer" in Georgia) and Misha (the school's driver and all-around GREAT human-being).  Here's where we get fuzzy on all the details.  We've been in our new home over a month, and no blog.  Some of you might be thinking..."this is familiar, Elgers...saipandemonium, anyone?"  Well, we hope the following lists will clarify our tardiness...  Overall, we are settling in nicely to our new Georgia and truly embracing our adventure!

In the last month, we have done the following...

*Been surrounded by a completely different language that sounds like nothing we have ever heard.  The culture in Georgia is also such a blend of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

*Eaten lots of bread and cheese...a staple of the Georgian diet.

*Had the privilege of teaching kids who are from or who have lived in the following countries: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Iran, Uganda, Argentina, Cambodia, China, Ukraine, France, Germany, England, Zimbabwe, Russia, Israel, Holland, South Korea, Uruguay, Canada, and the good ol' US of A.  I'm sure there's a few that we're leaving out, but you get the gist.  We're truly teaching kids from all over the world, and it's truly amazing...on so many levels!

*Gotten two viruses, one of which sent Elizabeth and Jelly Bean to the hospital for an IV.  Good times!

*Moved apartments.  Our old landlords needed theirs back, so we got kicked out.  Unfortunately, our new place is EVEN bigger than our last one (thanks to Maia, the fixer)...so seriously, everyone who's reading this is invited for a visit!

*Met some incredible people who have taught all over the globe.  In fact, one of colleagues is from Trion, Georgia and has a delicious Southern accent...almost as good as Molly's and Holly's.

*Found out that Georgian-time is a modified version of island-time.

*Discovered that not owning a car really isn't so bad!  Taking buses and walking is actually a good thing.

*Had our power disconnected because our old landlord didn't pay the bill.  Then, the next day, had our water off at 7:00am because the city was doing "work."  Good stretch of a couple of days!

*Been very surprised to learn of the resilience of the Georgian people...  Could you imagine waking up one day in 1992 with absolutely nothing in your bank account?  Just the day before, you were considered nobility or one of the countries best scientists or mathematicians, and then, everything is just gone.  This has happened to countless Georgians when the country got its independence from the former Soviet Union.  You would think this would make some bitter; however, Georgians have incredible hope and optimism for the future.  Definitely a great deal we can learn from those in the "other" Georgia.

*Gotten frustrated with a few things that are not quite "first-world" yet.  For example, lines don't really mean anything.  You can cut in front of anyone at any time.  Cats and their carriers with pee in them can be found on the counter in the local McDonald's bathroom (sorry, John and Holly), but it's true!  There's not really a concern with cleaning up after your dog, so watch where you step.  Internet?  Who needs consistent and fast internet?  Mail?  Who needs a mail system?  All sidewalks can be parking spaces.  Cars can drive on sidewalks.  All lanes are interchangeable all the time.  Speed limits don't exist.  Horns are used for everything! Pedestrians do NOT have the right of way.  Good Will is a grocery store, not a thrift store.  Beggars and gypsies are in every country!  Big Ben is not a clock here, but it is a land mark.  PhD dissertations are meant to be "shared."  You too can get your PhD in Neuro-sciences from the internet!  Saying the American Embassy is in Tbilisi is like saying Gainesville is in Atlanta.

*Been entertained by our fellow Georgian teachers in one of their homes with an authentic Georgian meal.  Hospitality, wine, and great food were in abundance!

*Watched Spring Bok Rugby!  Bok!  Bok!  Bok!

*Been to two soccer games, where tickets were a whopping $1.70 for the local Tbilisi team and $6 for the national team.  Great atmosphere at both!

*Found an incredible mother-baby doctor who is very well-educated and speaks perfect English.  Her name is Maka, and we feel so lucky to have her in our lives!

*Watched some shows on TLC in Russian but could hear the English underneath.  Toddlers and Tiaras is hilarious with this combination.

*Realized that school sports are a totally different ballgame here, but Joey, the Athletic Director, is doing one heckuva job!

*Missed our families and friends and think of each of you very often!

This isn't even a complete list of everything we've done, but we think you'll get the idea of how our newest adventure is coming along.  It's been very entertaining so far, and we can't wait to see what happens next.  Know that we are enjoying most every aspect of our life in the other Georgia, and we will post on a more consistent basis.  We'd love to hear from each of you as well.  So, leave a comment, or email us at elizabethelger@gmail.com or joeymelger@gmail.com.

Love and hugs!