First of all, I want to say that I took over 800 pictures during my entire stay in the RofG, but somehow I managed to only take 3 pictures the last two days. Therefore, I will only have maybe one or two pictures on this post. I will probably follow up with a reflection post that will hit on all the many stories that I left out, or some of the most interesting pictures that I have not yet posted.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Day 12 & 13: The end of our Georgian stay...
First of all, I want to say that I took over 800 pictures during my entire stay in the RofG, but somehow I managed to only take 3 pictures the last two days. Therefore, I will only have maybe one or two pictures on this post. I will probably follow up with a reflection post that will hit on all the many stories that I left out, or some of the most interesting pictures that I have not yet posted.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Day 11: Kakheti
After a restful night a sleep & a buckwheat breakfast we were off to Kakheti for a school visit, some sightseeing, and a supra. As you can see from this picture, there was a lot of heavy, slow-moving traffic that day (of the bovine variety).
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Day 10: Home Stay in Gavazi
Monday, August 4, 2008
Camp (Day 6-9): Our Lives are Brilliant....
I was very satisfied with all the team's performance and effort at the camp at Buknari. I believe we were successful at giving them knowledge that they can use as a foundation to build the FFG Organization on. The ball is in their court.
There is one story from the camp that particularly sticks out in my mind though. After Heather's lesson on Sunday, before we traveled to Batumi, Stephen runs in our room. He tells me that there is a camper playing piano in the girl's cabin and she is amazing. We round up the troops and go to see this she-beethoven. Of course, she is playing traditional Georgian music, but she has broken English and tells us thank you after we applauded her effort. She tells us the next song is American Western. Yep, the same corral music that you would probably hear in Deadwood, South Dakota in the 1930's. It was very good, and of course we clap again, but she wasn't done. American Jazz was her next selection, and once again, smooth and silky. One more song and she tells us "this is my favorite." At first, I didn't know if I was hearing it right...but I was and it was familiar...
Day 4-5:Caves and Rooms with Bathroom Slippers
We proceeded to our final destination before camp, the coastal city of Batumi. Arriving into the hotel in Batumi, I immediately knew that this would be the nicest living accomadations that we would see during our time in the RofG. Wireless Internet, living rooms in our quarters, disinfected up-standing toilets and our own personal bathroom slippers! Impressive.
After a Coke Light/Camp Planning break we hit the sack. We knew that the upcoming days at camp would define the success of our trip to the Republic of Georgia.
Finish the Drill
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Reflections of Georgia
I just wanted to add some thoughts about what occurred. First of all, I had the opportunity to be with four amazing students for two week. Everyday I learned more about them and was continually amazed at their knowledge, excitement, and truly giving souls. I can honestly say we have all bonded as a team more than any team I have ever been on. I guess traveling across an ocean will do that for you. We all got really good at knowing when to step in and help each other and when to push each other’s buttons (again, funny stories…right Princess Stephen?).
I am so proud to call these students “mine.” When they were teaching and interacting with the students at FFG camp as well as on our school visits, I was like a proud Momma hen…
Each one of these guys brought a different dynamic to our team. The amazing thing (as a leadership professor) is that each dynamic offered made this team stronger. It was truly group member roles at its best.
As our trip progressed, it was fun for me to see the growth in these guys. I am proud to say that there was little complaining when the "facilities" were not what we are used to here in the States (having to chase chickens out of the outhouse) or when the roads were so bumpy that we all turned a bit green (stopping a couple of times for a break). These students were troupers. I can only say that I hope they will keep me around a bit to watch them change the world!