Leo @Leo@tincanphone.club
Problem child #2
Joined Nov 2020
So of course the universe had to throw me one more curve ball and I missed my connecting flight to Zurich because once I arrived in Munich, I had to wait in line for an hour and half to go through security again, take a train to my terminal, and go through customs. But I did immediately start crying at the gate attendants and they got me on a direct flight to Boston with a row to myself. It does mean I had a long layover and will be getting home two hours later but I booked myself a two hour nap room and am now waiting to board at my gate. Almost there
We had a feast of all my favorite Georgian foods for my last meal! Khachapuri, Potato Khinkali and Kalikuri Khinkali, Mtsvadi, kebabs, and of course, a shot of chacha. Looking forward to finally being home but I will miss these guys dearly!
I went to court today and agreed to pay the fine and I am now free to go! I got a ticket home for tomorrow and am submitting a claim with my travel insurance to see if I can get it reimbursed. Thank goodness I packed some nice clothes lol
Yesterday we went to a figure drawing session. It was very hard but fun. Here's one if the rough sketches I did trying to figure out proportions, I still have a ways to go
So, to update everyone, I got a lawyer and everything suddenly moved much quicker! Today I went with him to the police station and signed some forms saying I would show up in court next week and they gave me my passport back 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
My lawyer said he is 99% certain he can get me in court on Monday which hopefully means I will be going home on Tuesday! I will keep everyone updated but this was a huge step and I am so relieved.
Today Sophy and I took an aerial tramway to the Tbilisi Botanical Gardens and had our own mini writing group session!
@ChrisFerris I think it was more "awkward but amused"
Was trying to wait until I got sent the group pictures but it's taking too long so I'm posting these instead. On Easter we went to Sophy's friend's house for a "Supra" which is a party where you sit around the table and eat for many many hours. Usually there's a lot of drinking and toasting involved but that didn't happen this time. Sophy's friend's dad came in 3 hours in after attending a different Supra (with drinking) and he rambled about Georgian history in Georgian for two hours. He decided he liked me because my last name was "Earl" and his last name belonged to a King so he insisted we take pictures together. "An Earl and a King standing together"
Recent adventures: dinner at a nice cafe with Sophy and Bryson where the lights were big dresses. I also took a solo trip to the Chronicles of Georgia which is a giant monument to Georgia and it's christian history at the top of a mountain that overlooks all of Tbilisi. My camera did not do the size of it justice!
I spent most of the day drawing at a beautiful cafe made out of an old greenhouse in the middle of a park. Then Sophy and I went to a place called Fabrika which is old sewing factory that was turned into a bunch of restaurants, artist studios, and a hostel and I tried chacha which is a Georgian spirit made from fruit
@Baba thank you, some days are easier than others. But I've got a big team of people at home working on getting me back which makes it feel much better. (The trans clinic we go to is assembling a legal team for me, Elizabeth Warren's office even got involved!) I just wish it didn't feel like the end date keeps getting pushed back. It's looking more and more likely I will be here until next week as this weekend is Easter here and it's such a big deal that places starting closing for the holiday yesterday.
Yesterday we saw Sophy's friends, walked around a park, saw a church (a common theme of this trip), and Sophy cooked a traditional Georgian dinner (Satsivi with shoti, sulguni, and cucumber and tomato salad). Trying to make the most of my time here so I don't lose my mind!
Also all meals are a 2-3 hour affair minimum. I am enjoying the pace here (except when it comes to the police officers)
Tea with Sophy's friends Saba and Mari. Everyone in Georgia has a two syllable nickname they go by that ends with a vowel. So Sophy is actually Sopo here.
@ChrisFerris we get accosted by people to eat at the restaurants all the time here
@Baba exactly, I'm very lucky to live in a world with Google maps and taxi apps!
@Baba thank you, it was very intimidating! Especially because nothing about the language is recognizable! But the baths are a popular spot for tourists so they spoke English. I've also gotten very good at pointing at things and saying "madloba" which means thank you
Problem child #2
Joined Nov 2020
