It all started with an innocent question.
There is a church on top of a tall hill in Speti and I have wondered where the road is to get up there. I have tried two times before but have not made it yet. This morning, on the way to school, I pointed at the church and asked how to get up there. After he told me that the church is 1000 years old, I rephrased my question and he said that from the school it is about an hour hike. OK, I can handle that. I think I was close before – I just got tired and turned back.
Between 5th and 6th period, Bondo told me something about a car and going up to the church. I thought that would be cool. Little did I know that he meant today, after school. Typical Georgian – do it right away.
I end up in a car with a guy, Beso the driver, and three ladies in the back. There is another car that we are following. I have no idea who these people are. We drive and I recognize points that I have walked past and I eventually see where I stopped and the correct way to go. Cool. Maybe I will walk down to see the sites and confirm that I know the way.
When I feel like we are minutes away from the top, we come around a turn and see the car in front of us. The guys are outside and pushing it up a hill. Oh boy. I am thinking that I should just say that I am fine with walking. But I don’t. After the lead car makes it up the hill, we make our attempt. I thought that the lead car had problems with the steepness of the hill. That was only part of it. The real problem is that just before the hill is a huge mud bog that you have to get through, turn and start to go up. I don’t know how many attempts it took for our car, but we eventually made it up with man power from the lead car and people from a car that happened to be behind us. I had a smile on my face the whole time for Beso would not give up and it was just a funny experience.
We make it to the church and we go see the inside. The church has a great view of Chola and the valley below. You have actually seen the church in a few of my pictures. If you look in the picture below, look at the top of the hill on the top left corner and you will see a little white structure in a small clearing. Really, you will. That is the church. Speti is at the bottom of the hill towards the right. If you click on the image, you will be taken to a larger view.
So, we made it up to the church. Now what? Supra! By now I am just not surprised anymore. The people brought wine, fruit, bread and some veggies. There is a long table next to the church that we use. After watching their interactions, I learn that Beso is married to one of the girls and all three girls are sisters. They were delighted that I knew the words to ask about this. I think a couple of the boys were brothers, but by this time they were just saying that everyone is sisters and brothers, so I really do not know.
We eat, drink, laugh and take pictures. Overall, it was a good afternoon with complete strangers.
The ride down is uneventful, minus avoiding the cows, and they are kind enough to drop me off at my doorstep. I think they said that we are doing this tomorrow. I guess I will find out.
Here are some photos (or view full screen slideshow of photos here).