March 27, 2015
In continuation of our culture Immersion work shop, World Link staff had the honor to travel to the region of Kakheti and the village of Gavazi. We traveled by bus and was able to see small rural communities. When arriving in Gavazi we visited The Public School in the village of Gavazi of Kvareli District. As Curt described in the post below, the school was built "American style" and consists of the Future Farmers of Georgia (FFG) projects for their community that World Link helped to create. The students were very excited to see a big tour bus arrive. We were given a tour by the Administrators and were also shown their museum that was full of traditional Georgian artifacts. We finished the tour by seeing the view of the Caucasus Mountains from the rooftop and then saw their green house. Later on our way back to Tbilisi, we stopped in at a small farm shop that a World Link alumni opened and purchased seeds to donate to the school.
Curt Stutzman has many relationships within the Georgian people. One of his oldest friends and someone he has worked the FFG project with, Paata Beriashuili went along with us on the tour, as he was the former principal of the school and then afterwards introduced us to his new venture as the manager of a well known Georgian winery and hotel that is tucked into the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains. We were treated to a wine tasting at the Kindzmarauli Corporation Winery and then given a tour where they taught us the Traditional Georgian way of making wine. Georgia is the only country in the world that makes it's wine using giant clay vessels that are buried in the ground then sealed with a stone lid for up to 24 months. We also learned that each family is this region typically grows their own grapes and makes their own wine to have and serve guests at their home through out the year. After the wine tasting and tour, we learned how to make traditional Georgian bread by hand rolling the dough and pressing it to the sides of a large circular cooking pit with high brick walls. It is a dangerous venture, and only a few of the brave World Link coordinators tried it. We also learned how to make a popular Georgia sweet called, "Churchkhela. It is prepared by dipping putting walnuts or hazelnuts on a string and then dipped in a vat of grape juice and flour, then left to dry. It was quite an experience learning hands on.
Before heading back into Tbilisi, we had an amazing meal at Mr. Beriashuili's hotel in Kvaveli. As we tried a wide variety of Georgian fare, we listened to traditional Georgian music while a few Alumni students danced traditional Georgian dances.
We headed back into Tbilisi after lunch, only to be treated to a Georgian Supra at the Shadow of Metekhi restaurant. The restaurant features not only great food, but also has a stage where performers danced a variety of cultural dances while wearing their national costumes. Some staff at the restaurant also serenaded us with their beautiful voices.
In reflecting on this experience, it has taught me how proud Georgians are of their traditions and culture. They are eager to share and teach other about true Georgia. Their traditions go back many centuries and they have strong values because of this. (Blog submitted by Tina Maestas)
In continuation of our culture Immersion work shop, World Link staff had the honor to travel to the region of Kakheti and the village of Gavazi. We traveled by bus and was able to see small rural communities. When arriving in Gavazi we visited The Public School in the village of Gavazi of Kvareli District. As Curt described in the post below, the school was built "American style" and consists of the Future Farmers of Georgia (FFG) projects for their community that World Link helped to create. The students were very excited to see a big tour bus arrive. We were given a tour by the Administrators and were also shown their museum that was full of traditional Georgian artifacts. We finished the tour by seeing the view of the Caucasus Mountains from the rooftop and then saw their green house. Later on our way back to Tbilisi, we stopped in at a small farm shop that a World Link alumni opened and purchased seeds to donate to the school.
Curt Stutzman has many relationships within the Georgian people. One of his oldest friends and someone he has worked the FFG project with, Paata Beriashuili went along with us on the tour, as he was the former principal of the school and then afterwards introduced us to his new venture as the manager of a well known Georgian winery and hotel that is tucked into the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains. We were treated to a wine tasting at the Kindzmarauli Corporation Winery and then given a tour where they taught us the Traditional Georgian way of making wine. Georgia is the only country in the world that makes it's wine using giant clay vessels that are buried in the ground then sealed with a stone lid for up to 24 months. We also learned that each family is this region typically grows their own grapes and makes their own wine to have and serve guests at their home through out the year. After the wine tasting and tour, we learned how to make traditional Georgian bread by hand rolling the dough and pressing it to the sides of a large circular cooking pit with high brick walls. It is a dangerous venture, and only a few of the brave World Link coordinators tried it. We also learned how to make a popular Georgia sweet called, "Churchkhela. It is prepared by dipping putting walnuts or hazelnuts on a string and then dipped in a vat of grape juice and flour, then left to dry. It was quite an experience learning hands on.
Before heading back into Tbilisi, we had an amazing meal at Mr. Beriashuili's hotel in Kvaveli. As we tried a wide variety of Georgian fare, we listened to traditional Georgian music while a few Alumni students danced traditional Georgian dances.
We headed back into Tbilisi after lunch, only to be treated to a Georgian Supra at the Shadow of Metekhi restaurant. The restaurant features not only great food, but also has a stage where performers danced a variety of cultural dances while wearing their national costumes. Some staff at the restaurant also serenaded us with their beautiful voices.
In reflecting on this experience, it has taught me how proud Georgians are of their traditions and culture. They are eager to share and teach other about true Georgia. Their traditions go back many centuries and they have strong values because of this. (Blog submitted by Tina Maestas)