The magic of Georgia that makes you want to stay here again and again

The last months of my project are passing, and I can’t imagine what it will be like to return to Latvia, not to see the places and people I am so used to seeing every day, to resume my old life in Latvia.

I currently live in the Georgian city of Rustavi, where I do volunteer work for the organization “International Scout Centre Rustavi”. Every day I work with children, teach English, create programs for projects and summer camps.

When I started my project in September, I was only planned to stay here for 6 months. But due to a coincidence of various circumstances, I had the opportunity to extend the project to 9 months. Without thinking much, I immediately agreed. And I can safely say that it was one of the best choices of my life. I can’t even imagine that in a month I have to leave my life here and go back to Latvia. I don’t even want to think about what it would have been like if I had stayed in Georgia for only 6 months.

I have now spent 8 months in Georgia, and words cannot describe all the emotions I have experienced, the sights I have seen, the people I have met. Georgia is an incredibly beautiful country, with amazing weather. In February it can be +20 degrees and the sun is shining, but in March a thick layer of snow suddenly falls, although all the locals always claim that Rustavi never snows. At the end of March I was in Bakuriani, which is known as a ski town. At night it was -10 degrees, but the next day, when we drove back to Tbilisi, the capital was already +20 degrees. This is the magic and charm of Georgia, which makes this place so indescribably beautiful.

However, a large part of the experience I have gained is also made up of the people around me. Both volunteers from other countries and organizations, Georgian friends, and colleagues from my organization. I am very lucky with the people I have met and gotten to know here. Many of these people are an integral part of my daily life, and it will be difficult to get used to not seeing them every day in Latvia.

These only 8 months spent in Georgia have given me so many new opportunities, a new view of the world and life, improved me as a person, gave me unforgettable memories and friends for life.

For me, Georgia has become a magical place in the world, where I know I will return many more times even after the project ends.

Katrīna Graudiņa