I have finally made it to Sukhum! How does one get there you might ask?
It is quite easy actually. You transfer midway between GA and ABH by what is called 'the kiss movement'. A driver from Ga side meets a driver from Abh side on the middle of a bridge and you transfer everything into the opposite cruiser and off you go! On Friday I met my team and went to the TB hospital for the first time. My job is going to be interesting and challenging. . .
On another note, I have been trying the Abkhazian (or is it Abkhaz?) cuisine. On Friday night me and some of the other expats went out to eat at a restaurant overlooking the Black Sea. We had kachapuri (cheese impregnanted bread), shashlyk (Russian style kebabas), and a bottle of Abkhazian wine- sorry to disappoint, no vodka or cognac this time. It was very nice but the kachapuri was a little too dense for my taste. The wine was a white variety and not too bad. The shashlyk was delish.
The on Saturday, 2 expats and myself took an excursion to the Novy Afon Cave and Afon Monastery. We did not go inside the monastery, however, we did tour the cave which was really super cool (with the exception of Kenny G playing to demonstrate the amazing acoustics). We then trecked further north in our massive Land Cruiser to the National Park and mountain lake of Ritza. The water is glacier fed so it is beautiful and pristine. People were filling their water bottles at the waterfall. Tres magnifique!
Today I was able to get in a 7 miler and score some matsoni (yummy homemade yogurt) and lavash (artisan bread) at the market before a torrential down pour that left us without Aljazeera tv- or any tv for that matter. Also the rain took the water from the pipes in the house. Rain rain everywhere, except where it is needed.
Did I mention that everything grows, no fluorishes here? Pomegranate, citrus- tangerines, oranges, lemons, limes, grapes, tomatoes, corn, squash, cucumber, figs, walnuts, herbs- cilantro, basil, hazelnuts. You name it it grows!
Wednesday is victory day here in the big A. I have been told it is a huge celebration with fireworks and such- will get back to you on what the 'and such' means exactly. If it is not a security issue I am going with one of the other expats to celebrate with the locals.
Cognac anyone?
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
General information: Abkhazia
Abkhazia is one of two breakaway regions of Georgia.
It is approximately 8,600 km2 and is situated in the north-western corner of Georgia with the Black Sea to the south-west and the Caucasus mountains and Russia to the north-east. Abkhazia has been fighting for independence from Georgia since the collapse of the USSR in 1991. Abkhazia claimed their independence in 1994 after a 13-month war lasting from 1992 to 1993. Internationally this is recognized by Russia, Nicaragua, and as of 2 weeks ago, Venezuela. An economic embargo is in effect making Abkhazia almost totally isolated with the exception of Russia which maintains a border crossing.
In 1991, the population in Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia was 550,000. In 2005 it was estimated at 200,000. Today, there are even fewer people living in the area.
Major languages spoken: Russian, Georgian, and Abkhaz
Major religions: Christianity, Islam
According to MOH estimates approximately 50% of the population are unemployed though this may be a modest estimate.
Natural resources: agricultural, primarily citrus fruits, tobacco, tea, timber; some coal, hydroelectric power
In 1996, MSF started their support in Abkhazia for regular tuberculosis and in 2001 a multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) project was opened. It’s in this context that I will be working for the next 6.5 months as the adherence coordinator in Sukhumi. Currently, there are less than 50 people enrolled in this program. The treatment of MDR-TB is between 21 to 24 months, has many and severe medication side effects and requires DOT (direct observed therapy) for the duration of treatment which means patients are required to come into an ambulatory point 1-2 times per day 6 days per week. Yep, that's right twice daily 6 days per week for 2 years! Understandably, adherence with treatment is very difficult.
It is approximately 8,600 km2 and is situated in the north-western corner of Georgia with the Black Sea to the south-west and the Caucasus mountains and Russia to the north-east. Abkhazia has been fighting for independence from Georgia since the collapse of the USSR in 1991. Abkhazia claimed their independence in 1994 after a 13-month war lasting from 1992 to 1993. Internationally this is recognized by Russia, Nicaragua, and as of 2 weeks ago, Venezuela. An economic embargo is in effect making Abkhazia almost totally isolated with the exception of Russia which maintains a border crossing.
In 1991, the population in Sukhumi, the capital of Abkhazia was 550,000. In 2005 it was estimated at 200,000. Today, there are even fewer people living in the area.
Major languages spoken: Russian, Georgian, and Abkhaz
Major religions: Christianity, Islam
According to MOH estimates approximately 50% of the population are unemployed though this may be a modest estimate.
Natural resources: agricultural, primarily citrus fruits, tobacco, tea, timber; some coal, hydroelectric power
In 1996, MSF started their support in Abkhazia for regular tuberculosis and in 2001 a multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) project was opened. It’s in this context that I will be working for the next 6.5 months as the adherence coordinator in Sukhumi. Currently, there are less than 50 people enrolled in this program. The treatment of MDR-TB is between 21 to 24 months, has many and severe medication side effects and requires DOT (direct observed therapy) for the duration of treatment which means patients are required to come into an ambulatory point 1-2 times per day 6 days per week. Yep, that's right twice daily 6 days per week for 2 years! Understandably, adherence with treatment is very difficult.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
running in former soviet union (FSU)
5 mile run in zugdidi.
people: 2 (3 counting the fisherman who directed me back on track)
cows: 15
pigs: 8
chickens: 27
other hooved beasts: 3
number of gates to pass in order to prevent said beasts from escaping: 3
cars: 2
5 mile run in nyc along west side highway.
people: min. 200 to 300
cows, pigs, chickens, and other hooved beasts: 0
gates to pass: 0, not including the metaphorical ones
cars: several hundred
number of days until the PARIS marathon: 200
number of weeks to prepare: 28
this is going to be a bit of an adjustment.
people: 2 (3 counting the fisherman who directed me back on track)
cows: 15
pigs: 8
chickens: 27
other hooved beasts: 3
number of gates to pass in order to prevent said beasts from escaping: 3
cars: 2
5 mile run in nyc along west side highway.
people: min. 200 to 300
cows, pigs, chickens, and other hooved beasts: 0
gates to pass: 0, not including the metaphorical ones
cars: several hundred
number of days until the PARIS marathon: 200
number of weeks to prepare: 28
this is going to be a bit of an adjustment.
Friday, September 4, 2009
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