The class excursion - Georgian culture and kids!
One of the pleasures of being a volunteer teacher in Georgia is the class excursion. This is when a class, usually once a semester, will rent a bus and go off to visit some cultural landmarks of Georgia; typically churches, museums, and homes of famous Georgians. You, as their guest teacher, are invited along, showered with information and excitement, and lots of food and drink.
Most excursions are one day affairs, where you leave around ten in the morning, head out to landmarks around the region, and not get back until late that night. Some will be a mix of students, perhaps tenth and eleventh graders; others will be the kids in a club, or a church group. As their guest you are not expected to pay for anything, although you should repeatedly attempt to. When the bus arrives at the school everyone piles in. A tape of Georgian music is put on and it will play none-stop for the whole time; Georgians love their music. Everyone will be talking, singing, making jokes, and having fun. Several teachers will be along, since this is an educational outing, and occasionally a parent or two depending on the size of the group. Being an excursion, they will want to fit in as much as possible, sometimes adding things as they go along. And they will take photographs of everything; not the landmarks per se, but themselves in front of the landmark, you with them, their friends. It seems almost a requirement that they must be in the photo, and oftentimes they must all be posed and proper. It is usually the goofy American teacher who holds his fingers up over a student’s head and spoils the picture! Be prepared to put your arms around many, many students and stand for a photo, and when you get back to the village they will present you with copies of them all!
Most of what you will visit is churches; many very old, very famous, with frescos, icons, and incense. Often the visit will just take minutes as the girls cover their heads, rush into the church, say a few prayers, and rush outside to take pictures. Your Georgian teachers usually know a lot about the history and importance of each stop, and are very eager and happy to share it with you. Sometimes you will visit the home of a famous Georgian, a writer, perhaps, or a local museum. These are usually longer stops. Often you will have to wait for the guide, who will then take the group through the displays. Unless you know Georgian, or want to just follow along, there is no need for you to remain with the group and can wander around by yourself. Many of the displays will be in Georgian and Russian, but many are changing to include English. And as always, your students and teachers will always be of help.
Half way through the day you will stop for lunch; a mini-suphra, if you will. Everyone will have brought along food; breads, chicken, cheeses, and lots and lots of deserts. Often there will even be wine, but always lemonade, which is really fruit juices, some actually with lemon juice! Sometimes lunch will be at one of the stops. Other times in a litter strewn spot along a river, or sometimes just along side the road! Always though, they will encourage you to eat, putting food into your hands, and making sure you have enough to drink. They are wonderful, joyful meals.
The special excursions are ones where you will be gone for several days. These are usually to more remote areas of Georgia, or to very famous landmarks. Like the day excursions you will visit a lot of places. When it’s time to stop for the night though, the real fun begins; where to stay, and how much to pay. Everyone has a say in the decision, the driver included, and arguing over the merits of each possible guest house, and how much they think they should pay can sometimes take an hour. But soon the girls are off into their rooms, the boys to another and the teachers to rooms by themselves. You, as the guest, will be offered the best, either with the students, if you want, the teachers, or even by yourself. Soon it’s time for more food; someone brings out the stereo, puts music on, and the party begins! There will be dancing, singing, goofing off, and kids running in and out of rooms, taking pictures, making phone calls. A wonderful, exhilarating night. And there is still two days to go!
Going on a class excursion is a wonderful way to learn about the culture of Georgia, share fun times with your students, and see the sights and country. Just remember to smile and say “Sulguni” because you are going to be in a lot of photos!
Philip Kunz
Footprints’ Alumni, planning to return to Georgia for a 2nd term
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