Over the course of the 10-day monastery tour, I took the time to jot down some thoughts on a couple of occasions. It was often late in the after wine and chacha when sleep was coming soon, so the composition was not generally spectacular. Nonetheless, I’ve transcribed these thoughts below:
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“Saw some old monasteries, ate good food, saw beautiful landscapes. Old forts or crosses on every peak. But stood in awe of ancientness of the country- churches from the 6th century! American history as studied in our schools hadn’t even started, not even close.
Also in toasting there was a chance to reflect on ancestors & tradition, on our choices of life path that brought us all together, on Georgia as a country, on family, those things that have passed and those things that are alive. Singing and backgammon, and even if I don’t want to go to bed yet, tomorrow will likely be miserable if I don’t.”
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“Caves in the hills, rapids, cable bridges, cows on the road, mountain fields full of wild flowers, intercropped corn and beans. An ancient monastery set back in the hills, birds singing and bees buzzing with sweet scents in the air around- an old place, but somehow still fresh. Monks with big beards in black… with cell phones. Grape liquor, more songs and more backgammon. Hearing from John and Barbara about Mikey’s adventures biking from Turkey to China terrified and inspired! Must read “Three cups of tea” and integrate activity in classroom: learn by doing. Engage! Be Bold! And trust in the benevolence of the universe. Do more than say yes- ask the question! Seek the adventure- take the risk.”
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“Not sure what day it is and quite frankly, I don’t really care. We’ve seen much in the past days, but it means little to mark down the details of monastery names and dishes at particular restaurants. There are more important things to note. We met Brian at our guesthouse in Kutaisi. He’s been teaching with TLG (the program I signed with) for the last ten months. He described a pretty abysmal program in the schools. I will have a lot of free time and I will need to use that in a fulfilling way. John’s advice to me was not to focus too much of my energy on teaching, rather use the opportunity here to develop a project, or adventure, or research. I think it was good advice and I’ll try and take it to heart. I want to contribute all I can to teaching, but I have no illusions of becoming some Robin Williams character in Dead Poets Society, of changing the systems and changing lives.
Now is the time to dream big. I know at McGill, while I excelled academically, I didn’t achieve my full potential. Now is a time to spread wings, to take charge, to dream beyond wildest possibilities and then go make it happen. Maybe it’s helping farmers develop an export market; maybe it’s founding a cooperative so that farm capital can be shared by those interested in improving/expanding their operations. Maybe it’s starting a fine cheese business in collaboration with a dairy. It’s one thing to have ideas, but the next step is finding out where I’ll be, identifying a need in that community and then taking concrete steps to meet it.
Seeing John Graham’s friend, John Wurdeman was tremendously inspiring! An incredibly successful business man, but out of a totally artistic and wholesome approach. While he has the business instinct, he is first and foremost an artisan. He is humble too. Wine, local foods, painting, carpets, song- it seems everything he touches is beautiful, and he touches so many things; not because there is money to be made, but because it all fits together as part of the whole.
I’m excited about getting out from under the protective wing of the tour. I want to learn Georgian. I want to travel. I want to dream big. And I want to make things happen. But for now I’ll do my best to stay present, appreciating the incredible history, the incredible power of these holy spaces, the beautiful harmonies of the chants, and the remarkable group of people around me. Here’s to a great year in Georgia- gaumarjos!”
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