The valley town of Chuberi, located high in the Caucasus Mountains, in the Svaneti region of Georgia, is quite different from the modern capitol of Tbilisi. Upon request, I was assigned to a place where horses and pigs still share the dirt roads with pedestrians and cars.
My daily routine consists of those things usually reserved for the set of “Little House on the Prairie.”
Classes begin at 10:00 am in Chuberi, giving time to several students that need to make the three mile trek from their homes to the school every morning. When I awake at 9:00 am I am greeted by the grandmother of the host family who has already begun baking bread and heating fresh milk on the pot belly stove. Almost all food and drink is made local and fresh. I will have a couple slices of Catchapuri, (bread filled with cheese and topped with a flaky layer of whipped egg and cheese) and a cup of tea for breakfast, and then bundle up and make my short walk to the school. 
Each morning we fire up the stoves in each classroom and begin the day. I teach grades 7 through 12, with three to five classes a day. The students are enlivened by different kinesthetic and visual teaching methods that I have been able to introduce to the curriculum and this enthusiastic attitude creates a positive environment for both the students and myself.
After classes I change into less formal dress and try to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings by hiking, chopping firewood, gathering fruits and nuts from the family land, or by taking a walk to collect mineral water from a local natural spring. At night I get to indulge in a bit of modern entertainment by gathering around the warm glow of the television with the host family to watch the Georgian version of American Idol, (We still have to keep the fire going between commercial breaks).
On the weekends I have entertained several other volunteer teachers by taking them on tours of the surrounding mountains. With the tremendous help of my host family, we have visited scenic panoramas, waterfalls, snow capped peaks, gone horseback riding, and even spent a couple nights in a remote cabin higher than 10,000 feet above sea level.
My site and its inhabitants have made my time in Georgia truly unforgettable. The pristine town, although isolated, has flourished with its own rich culture, as well as developed a great understanding of cultures outside of its regional borders. The adaptation to the harsh climate and forced self reliant lifestyle has enriched the local Svan people with an attitude that is honest and solemn and at the same time extremely welcoming to guests. I look forward to the opportunity to teach another semester in Georgia.
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