Poti, Georgia

I've been stalling on posting photos and writing about Poti, Georgia - I've whimmed and whayed about what I'd like to say and, I'm still drawing a blank.  So, I'm going to do what i do best.....wing it. *Mom, you might want to put your ear muffs on - but only because I know that our brains work the exact same way and that we have the same tendency to let our imaginations run wild*

Stepping off the ship in Poti was slightly surreal.  I wasn't quite sure if I was getting off - and then suddenly I was getting off the ship in 30 minutes!  I was literally racing around my stateroom throwing the rest of my things into bags, scrubbing, dusting, etc.  In retrospect, I really should have spent some time reading about Georgia on Wikipedia a bit before my departure.....or at least some type of research as I knew absolutely nothing about Georgia.

There was a tiny little boat waiting for me in the anchorage.  Aboard the boat was a port official, a boat operator and his buddy (as I'm sure this was a novelty) and the ships Agent.  Only the Agent spoke English.  When we hit the pier I was immediately shuffled into the Agents car.  (This is always the part of the trip to and from the vessel that weirds me out - there is always this thing in the back of my head that says, 'this is the time they drive away with you and you're never seen again'.  Clearly, that is completely unrealistic....nonetheless...)

We stopped first at the Agents office so he could get some paperwork in order and then we headed to the Office of Border Police (Immigration).  Driving the short distance between the port, the Agents office, and Immigration was my first real look around.  Things were in very rough shape.  A lot of the buildings were in shambles.  There were a lot of unfinished construction projects.  The roads were full of pot holes (if they were paved).

When we arrived at the Immigration office it was completely unmarked.  We pulled into a back lot that was mud and full of puddles.  The building looked like a vacant apartment building that had become run down.  The Agent walked up a back stairway and stepped up to a tiny little window and peeked in - that was when I realized that there were people sitting inside in uniforms.  I handed over my passport and waited.

I waited for a bit and was then escorted into another room that was further up the stairway and through the door.  There were five Border Officers sitting around a table where a lap top was sitting.  They had me sit down and then they closed the door.

My brain immediately went into overdrive.  All I could think is, 'what the hell am I going to do if things get really weird, really fast?!'  I was thinking:  why did they shut the door....what would they do if I asked them to open it....what if I stand up and get closer to the door in case I need to run away.  You get the idea.  I was flipped.  I did my best to act cool.  Eventually the guys started to try to talk to me in broken english.  Of course, first they wanted to know if I was single - then they wanted to try to set me up with their sons.  One of the guys told me that he had been to El Paso, Texas.  Before I knew it the formalities were complete and I had a Georgian stamp in my passport.

From the Immigration office I was taken to my hotel - the only hotel in town.  I was going to be staying in this hotel for two days...so I knew I had to get comfortable.

(I'm going to stop now and say.....to be continued.....)

A couple photos from day one:

Home.

Today I went grocery shopping. I visited friends. I snuggled with a baby. I had a pear and gorgonzola salad on a pop over with a coconut macaroon for desert. I shopped at the outlets (and didn't buy anything thank you very much). Reintegrating into society after months aboard a tanker isn't always easy. I swear too much, I'm slightly anti social....the list goes on.

All that aside....

Bottom line:

Home is good.

Just BE NICE.

I'm currently sitting at the airport....in a corner down at the baggage claim level.  I'll be sitting here all night long and, I'm starting to think that I'm crazy.  You see, I had a hotel reservation - and I decided that it was too much work to get to the hotel.  The thought of getting my luggage into the taxi - taking the taxi to Jamaica Plains - getting into the hotel room - just so that I can wake up in 5 hours and get my butt back to the airport....was wholly unappealing.  So, here I sit. It's not so bad really, I have some snacks...and the Internet....and all my photos from Georgia to go through.  Except, my bum is starting to get a little sore and I'm not feeling super motivated to continue looking at photos.  

That being said, I'm sitting here mulling over my last 24 hours.

Here is what I've decided - even though I've known this for years - I decided today that Americans are unequivocally the worst travellers.  Seriously, the worst!  That being said, I can't quite put my finger on what makes them awful.  While the obvious choices are right there:  arrogant, rude, pushy - there are many other nationalities that are equally so.  I mean, anyone who has travelled abroad knows that the term 'no cutting in line' might be a North American phenomena.  Standing in line in most Middle Eastern nations is futile.

Here is what I think I've narrowed it down to - Americans are the worst because they are pretentious and have a sense of entitlement.  Okay, that may too sound like a no brainer but,  hear me out.

If Jack and Jill travel abroad to Germany - most likely someone met them at the airport and they took a guided tour of the nations most popular tourist destinations.  However; if you ask them they are International Travellers - with a wealth of advice for anyone who is willing to listen.

If Jack and Jill run into a snag at an airport (or heaven forbid Customs and Immigration) they feel they deserve prompt attention - and better service - because they are American. They have rights!

As someone who travels often -and just wants to make it from point A to point B with minimal fuss - it gets old running into these goobers Internationally.

As I was hustling through the Frankfurt Airport trying to make my connection I heard a man at a ticket counter whine, 'but, we're A-mur-i-can...'.  Buddy, any chance you had of getting your issue resolved just flew out the window.  I almost looked over just so that I could confirm that the guy looked like Redneck but, I just couldn't make myself do it.

On my flight from Moscow to Frankfurt my seat partner was a young American woman.  When it was time to get a beverage the Stewardess asked me, 'What can I get you to drink?' I replied, 'water, please.' to which she responded, 'sparkling or still?' 'Still, please.'.  It's now my seat partners turn....'What can I get you to drink?'.  She said in stilted English - as in very slowly with exaggerated enunciation - 'wa-ter with gas in it'.  Seriously?!  Water with gas in it?!  Who says that?!  Okay, fine....there are some countries that call sparkling water 'water with gas'.  But, did you not just hear the previous exchange?!  All I could think was 'you pretentious little teenie-booper!  yes, yes, we see....you're a world class traveller.'.

A-mur-i-cans.  Ridiculous International Travellers!

Want to know what I believe is the secret to successful International Travel?

Be Nice.

That's it.  Be Nice.  When you get to the ticket counter - smile.  Keep your tone of voice polite - explain your situation if necessary.  Regardless of the outcome - say thank you.  When someone goes out of their way to help you - express your appreciation for their added efforts.  (By the way, this works wonders during domestic travel, too!)

Okay, my rant is over - I'll go back to sitting in the corner of the baggage claim eating nuts and berries and sipping my latte.

Of course....I have to show you my homestead:

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Like a good sailor.....

Like a good sailor I forfeited sight seeing for a little rest and relaxation. Peach juice, vodka, Turkish wrap, laptop, and a balcony with a great view....

Walk around the city? I think not.

I jest...but only a bit. After walking around Batumi for a bit I decided that my dogs were barking and that I was entitled to a cocktail. So, I hit up a convenience store and made my way back to my hotel.

The weather was fabulous - sunny and warm - but, I still was able to gaze at snow covered mountains in the distance.

I feel so lucky.

Doubly so, because today is the day I fly home!

A Cuppa in Georgia

Hello from Georgia!(As in The Republic of Georgia)

I'm on my way home - which is lovely. I've been lucky to get two days to explore before flying out. It's been amazing....obviously Big Bertha has been busy and there will be pictures soon!

For now, I'm blogging from my phone...which strangely feels like a treat.

Random note: Georgians take their coffee black. (good thing I got some practice in Italy!). They'll ask, 'Turkish or Nescafé?'. I usually opt for the Nescafé and haven't been disappointed yet!

Dolphins at Sunrise

 

A few mornings ago, there were dolphins everywhere.  They were lazy dolphins...coming to the surface very slowly showing a little fin and then dipping back down just below the surface of the water.

I tried so hard to take pictures of them!  It was nearly impossible!  There was no rhyme or reason to how they were coming to the surface - or where they'd come next.  I just had to be patient - point and shoot - and hope things were fairly straight! 

There is something so soothing about watching dolphins move about.  Even when they aren't being frisky and playful it's hard to take your eyes off of them.  I was so surprised to see dolphins this far north - and I wondered if they were moving slowly to conserve energy and body heat....the water temperature is about 7 degrees Celsius.

It was a treat. 

Enjoy some photos of a packed anchorage, some sunrise shots and dolphin 'puddles'!

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