When it Rains, it Pours Blessings

I left Mr. Latvia's house and it was an awkward goodbye as we had such a great time and it was sad leaving, but that is the travel life. 

Off I went on a small passenger van for $5 that made about 50 stops and took 3 hours. Some tourists take the easy route and I take the budget friendly local route.

I forgot to mention the word “direct” to the driver, which is important because there are “direct” vans and ones that make local stops.  This is just the way the buses work in Georgia and many countries in the world- take a taxi or deal with the stops and the longer commute time.

At our main stop, I grabbed my coffee and then went to talk to all the drivers (they speak No English) but I say silly things and they are laughing. They offer me a cigarette(no) and they offer me some mints. I was waiting for our driver to finish his 5 cigarettes and that was taking forever.

For me, I know the schedule of these drivers and it is sad because it really is cigarettes, coffee, lunch, and talking with other drivers.

Georgian men are actually not very strong with the work ethic and the women are the main providers, but these men were all working so props to them.

Having this friendly nature and spirit where you can just sit with people not speak their language, but share a moment, a spirit, a connection while drinking a coffee and wishing they would stop smoking-it is really a nice gift-Rare beauty.

Off we went on a route where we passed 50 miles of straight vineyards. The fall colors were beautiful, sheep and horses, and all the local beauty you see from a bus window. There were so many fruit stands selling watermelons and green melons.
A man who is just walking with the sheep waves at me through the window. The camera just cannot record the simple exchanges or traveling.
Finally, we arrive and I am the last person to get off the maruska. Its a crowded bus area and I have no clue where I am as we were dropped off on the side of the street in a major intersection(not an official stop or bus station), which I needed the bus station because it was a 10 minute taxi ride from my accommodation.

I was seriously concerned with my host not speaking English and no one around me to communicate with and it was starting to rain….oh this was not good.

I walk across the street and put my head inside in

front of a taxi window. I just happened to see the cross on the dash and I use that for some taxi guidance. His name is Soso and he looks like a Georgian model- dressed so clean and stylish. I show him the address and he immediately calls the location.

He says in such words- he has an American here and she has a reservation at your location. He tells me he knows where it is, “Get in.”

And right after I got in the car, the rain starts to fall and I am so grateful that I found him.

He thinks im very cute with the backpack on and the friendly smile-sometimes I behave like a child as I love the attention I get from adults.  I mention the beautiful cross on the front mirror and he says he is Christian. He is married and he has a small baby. He keeps laughing and I am laughing because he thinks I’m funny.
We arrive at the house and I just ran out of cash and he said it is ok just give me what you have and for the $3 ride I only could find $1 USD(otherwise big bills).

“Don”t worry no problem.  You enjoy your stay my friend.”

It was less than 5 minutes the ride and he was happy that he could help me and not focused on money-a human being not a taxi driver lol

He puts his hand on my head, which i loveeee when people do this as a sign of blessing and kind of endearment.
I arrive and a friendly Georgian man(husband, wife, family stay) is waiting and he takes me upstairs, shows me the room, gives me the wifi and says good night. The room is decorated in this Parisian way and I have a full terrace for myself with just another couple staying downstairs. I am going to say this was $12 a night- or less.

Its just 5:30pm and I ask if there are places nearby for food and he says “No.”

On Google translate, he writes, “It is far to walk and it is raining.”

Usually, I can just do a fast until the next day and eat in the morning. This time he could see in my face that I was so disappointed and I said “Thank you” and went to my room.  

He knocks on my door bringing up a traditional Georgian meal, which is beans and spices with fresh brown bread. It is a huge bowl of food and I figure I could save half for the next day. He smiles and hands me the food- so jolly and kind. I relax in my white fluffy robe and watch the rain drops falling with my traditional food and my movie I was going to watch. Its a little noisy with cars passing on the side street, but it’s warm and my stomach is full-be happy and be grateful.