Summer in Georgia

Our long term  EVS volunteers spending their summer here in Georgia. They have a possibility to explore nature and travel as much as possible. Check it out their traveling tips and recommendations;

Aga Polish volunteer - "What summer in Caucasus means for me? Well, I’ve never experienced that hot weather for such a long time in my home country (Poland), so have to admit: I love it! And also as it’s my second favorite season and it’s perfect for doing things that I really like, I could say it gives me lots of opportunities to spend time as I really love to. Especially when it comes to Georgian summer. Living in mountain country surrounded by mostly wild, untouched nature is perfect for someone who is really into trekking, hiking and low cost trips. Because Caucasus is very backpacker’s friendly region. People are unexpected and unchangeable helpful and hospitable, and that’s why hitchhiking here is rather easy and fast. And also usually the only way to reach some very remote places, the less touristic and mostly unknown ones. Together with my friends-flatmates we travel every weekend to not to lose any moment of hot sunlight and fresh greenery around us. For me camping somewhere in the woods or at lake together with my friends is the award for whole day of hiking. Cooking at self-made bonfire and chatting meanwhile makes those evenings even more special. To not tell only about outdoor activities and travelling, I will mention how it’s to live almost at the desert where heat is even more noticeable. Yes, because Rustavi was built literally on the area without any forest around, some days it’s quite impossible even to work in the office! But you can easily help yourself buying fresh, juicy melon or watermelon at nearest bazari. And after work just lie on the grass and catch sunbeams or bike around the city, which cools you down. Yeah, strongly recommend. 

Mariusz Polish Volunteer - "It’s already the end of July, so half of the summer in Georgia passed. Weather is good, even extremely good – sun every day and temperatures basically never below 30 degrees, so we are trying to use it as much as possible. Weekdays I’m spending in Rustavi working in organization and trying to survive heat in the city, but for weekends I’m escaping as much as possible. I have already visited seaside and had a chance to tan as well as swim in super warm Black Sea. But lying on the beach is not the thing I enjoy the most, so more often I’m visiting mountains. I already have visited Racha, where we hiked to the Buba glacier. The trek is amazing, although a bit tiring, but views are so great that it’s totally worth to do it. And it’s possible to do it in one day, so you can leave your tent and stuff somewhere (as we did in a remote place in the woods next to the border with Ossetia) and go to explore this region. We also went to Armenia to do hike between Gosh and Dilijan, which is very easy and if you divide it into two days you will not be too tired and have time to enjoy the nature. Moreover, on the way it is possible to camp next to the lake and swim there, which makes the experience even more better.

Of course, summer in Georgia is not only about travelling, but also fruits. We are in the middle of the season and we can enjoy fresh and sweet watermelons, melons,
 peaches, plums and much more. A lot of sun, a lot of fruits – what more one can expect? It’s just a straight way to lead calm, happy life "

Lea French Volunteer - "It's done, the first goal of my to do list: the trail between Mestia and Ushguli! 4 days, 46km to discover part of Svanetia. We finally discovered the famous Svanetian towers.This trail is of an easy level, if there is sun! However, in rainy weather, you have to be careful because the slippery parts are numerous. This trail asks the organization: to plan the meals, because the shops are rare ...

The landscapes are magnificent !"

Trip to Racha

"On weekend 18-20.05 our Rustavi team decided to have a trip and go to Racha. Friend of our common friend has there a house, where he said we could stay and enjoy the neighborhood. We started our trip on Friday around 9.30 in Rustavi hitchhiking first to Tbilisi, where we met one more friend and then, after splitting into two groups, to Nirkotsminda.  First group arrived just before 17, the second one few minutes later. After checking the house, we went to the nearby lake (Shaori) to touch the water. Next day we did short hiking to the ice cave (where really was a bit of ice at the end) and Udabno monastery. After coming back we realized that we run out of gas, so in order to cook anything we were forced to use the old style oven, where in order to make fire we had to use wood. It took a lot of time to cook anything on it, but it was fun and something unusual. The next day, Sunday, we went to Ambrolauri, where we started our 12 km trail in mountains. It wasn’t very tiring, weather was perfect, views amazing, so nothing more to expect. After all we came back to Nirkotsminda to relax, eat dinner and enjoy our last evening in Racha. Monday morning we started our way to Rustavi, which we reached in the afternoon. The trip was great, Racha is an amazing part of Georgia, even though we saw only a small part of it. Anyway, everybody enjoyed it so much and this weekend only confirm my thoughts that Georgia is amazing country with amazing mountains!"- Mariusz Tomaszuk

Mariusz First month in Georgia

"Thursday, 15 March 2018, 3 am, Warsaw – time to wake up, collect luggage, call taxi and go to the airport. Soon, my life will be completely different to the one I had so far. I am on my way to Rustavi. Georgia to do my EVS. Never heard about Rustavi before, my knowledge about Georgia is not do broad, but decision was made.

After a month of living there I can say it was good decision, so far. During that time I adapted to the new environment, met new people – in my organization, my flat mates as well as other volunteers living in the neighborhood. Just after arrival I participated in the on-arrival training, which gave me chance to think more about my time there, my goals, activities I will be taking part in as well as to meet other volunteers from Georgia and Armenia and exchange thoughts and ideas. Moreover, I participated in one youth exchange with youngsters from Denmark, which was a great time and opportunity to meet new people and spend time on activities, which I had never had time for before. My first month here is also about discovering Georgian culture with amazing supra tradition, super delicious food (so far khinkhali and eggplants with walnuts are my bests), amazing wine, beauty of country and hospitality of locals.

I started on-going job in my organization – helping with events organizing by it, organizing and leading clubs for youngsters as well as organizing other activities aimed on making live in Rustavi more vivid and interesting. They also help to be more integrated with local society, feel like at home and be part of the people living there.

First month passed really quickly and I’m pretty sure this same will happen with the remaining time. I hope it will be as interesting and full of emotions as the past month and at the end I would be able to say: “Wow that was amazing time!” However, right now is time to focus on my time here and enjoy every second of it"-  Mariusz  Long Term EVS Volunteer From Poland

On-Arrival Training

Aga and Mariusz Polish Long Term EVS volunteers. "Meeting new people, with whom you have many things in common. Attending a dozen of lectures, sessions and activities where you gain new knowledge which helps you in many aspects of your life. Going out of place where you live for couple of days. Conversation with people you want to meet again in remote places in Caucasus. Georgian supra and folk dance… All that stuff in 5 days and only during On Arrival Training in Misaktsieli. Two brave and hungry of knowledge volunteers (Aga and Mariusz) from GYE in Rustavi had a pleasure to experience that all. 

Fourteen newly come volunteers from different European countries and their trainers have come to meet each other for and intense training for EVS volunteers in Caucasus Region. International community was represented by young people come from countries: Poland, Latvia, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, United Kingdom, Luxembourg. This variety made the atmosphere kind of special because of different attitudes, experiences and also duties performer by volunteers on EVS program. Activities and training lessons were useful and full of new knowledge which helps to improve personal skills and also volunteer’s work. Talking to other participants and also integration with them gave us new perspectives for our work in GYE and also brought us closer to quite new reality for some of us.

 Despite our schedule was tight, organisators found time for factors which made this training special according to getting to know Caucasus culture much better. I think all Georgians and people who have been already participating in this special event, will agree with me that Supra is a big part of culture captained in one evening spent with friends who are close to our hearts. For many of us it was an unique occasion to see and also be a part of this amazing event and admire traditional Mtiuluri /Georgian dance. Breathtaking and sometimes scary looking moments (saber fight)  impressed the audience the most. It is also obligatory to mention Georgian delicious food. Table was full like never before" ;) 

See you soon Party to Jessica

Hey you! 6 months passed, this is my last week like a volunteer in Georgia (I stay one week more before I leave!)

My point of view doesn't change about Georgia, I love Georgia. I had time during 6 month to visit some places and for sure I will come back and see other places and also will meet people whom I know here.

I'm not ready to leave and go back in France, even I like my country it's better to be abroad and live other ways.

So After 6 months in Georgia, I realized that I really want to live abroad and meet lot of people! Also if I make a conclusion of my EVS here, it's was great even I had some difficulty but I things I grow up more, my English is better than it was before and I'm happy about my decision to do EVS,  it was one of my Greatest experiences.

Also during 6 months I had time to see and discovered 2 others Caucasus country Azerbaijan and Armenia, now I have 23 magnets (8 per country) for my mom and friends from 3 Caucasus country ... I know that crazy!

28 of February it's my Birthday and first time in my life I'm abroad and I will celebrate that correctly 😀!

If I miss Georgia? Yes, of course! I will miss a beautiful country! If I miss the foods? Of course, I will! How I can live without Khachapuri, Lobiani, Khinkali, Lavashi ect ...If I miss wine? Oh yes, I arrive here and I didn't like wine at all, I leave and I start to like Georgian wine that crazy! And of course I will also miss everyone I meet here, GYE team, the youngsters in the association, Friends from all over the world!

So that it for me! Georgia it's a good country, people are great, my EVS was great. I learnt so many things about myself and peoples. I will miss Georgia so much! 💜

It was Jessica! End of my stories here! Bye, see you in our World!