Week 20: Sports and Leisure

Although one cannot get enough of 'Modi, Dajecki, Jami' or 'Come, Sit, Eat', Georgians can be a surprisingly active people. Here are some of my highlights below!

Football (Soccer)

My students playing football in the fall!

As football continues to dominate the world, Georgia has naturally fallen suit. In every village and town, you can find a plethora of football fields and stadiums in various states of disrepair (and repair)! On a national level, the Tbilisi Dinamo are the tiny nation's most well-known team followed by the national team. Although these particular teams are popular locally, you can ask any Georgian preteen boy his favorite soccer team and he'll either say Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Tbilisi Dinamo Arena

Rugby

'Lelo Lelo Sakartvelo!' Chant for the Men's Rugby team! 28 Georgia 14 Russia

Despite the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs pouring more money into football, rugby is most certainly the pride and joy of Georgia! Known as the 'Lelo's [the Georgia word for 'try' (rugby equivalent of 'touchdown' for you American Football fans)], Georgia's national rugby team puts up a fight! Although the team is second-tier, they've been attempting to break into the 'Six Nations' for sometime!

**Basic rules of Rugby: Two opposing teams with 11 players each attempt to get the ball to the other side of the field as many times as possible within 2 continuous forty minute halves. Players have the option to A) Run B) Pass to the side or behind C) Kick. The defense can only tackle the player with the ball. If the ball is down, everyone wrestles for possession. If there is a penalty, players enter a 'scrum' where everyone locks arms and enters a big pit in attempts to kick the ball in the middle into the possession. If a try is scored, it is 5 points. The players can acquire extra points by kicking or something similar to a two point conversion. Moral of the story: Rugby is a spectacle and everyone should go to a match!

My friends and I at the Georgia v. Rugby match!

Skiing
During the winter season, many Georgians head to either Bakuriani or Gudauri, the 2 'hot' spots for serious skiing! Several weeks ago, I visited Bakuriani where my friends and I skied for about an hour and a half! You would think it would cost $60, but no! It cost 10 lari each ($3) for ski rental and each T-rope ride was 1 lari (40 cents). Even for such a short time, it was exhilarating (depending on which of my 'first time' friends you ask, they might describe it as 'excruciating'). Georgia is a snow-lovers paradise!

Bakuriani

My friends and I at Bakuriani

Basketball
If you ask any Georgian about b-ball (or anything about America, frankly), Zaza Pachulia will most certainly be mentioned. A Golden State warrior, 'Big Z' is Georgia's Lebron James. Despite their love affair with GSW, many Georgians are familiar with the NBA and they all have their favorite team.

Backgammon
Throughout the country, you will see throngs of old men in myriad stages of employment sitting around tables simultaneously partaking in 3 of their favorite sports: backgammon, chain-smoking, and drinking. Backgammon is a pastime as much as it is 'to pass the time'.

#Classic

Chess
Georgians love a good game of chess, and, during the winter months, students often play in their homerooms for gym class!

Cards
Break out the playing cards, and you'll find yourself being hustled in 'bura' for hours. A betting game, 'bura' is a game where 2 individuals attempt to capture cards by wagering their higher cards. Never trust your host brother to teach you the game and, subsequently, play!

Computer Games
Georgians of all ages (but, mostly, those who are apart of the 'youth') love computer games. You will find students on their phones engulfed in 'Clash of Clans' or 'Clash Royale'. In fact, many students have learned English through gaming forums!

Hiking and Camping

Birtvisi

Although the Caucasus Mountains provide breath-taking backdrops, hiking and camping are, unfortunately, not common; few trails are maintained and many Georgians take little interest in walking. However, I've heard through the grapevine about two hiking groups and my friends and I took up a journey this last week! Costing 20 lari for a guide and transportation (5 lari extra for a good ol' Georgian supra), we traversed a 7/8 kilometer path going to Birtvisi. At some point, we had to crab walk across the mountainside and it was often dangerous. However, we succeeded and I, at least, had the time of my life! For more information, check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/molashqretaklubimamberi/

On the hike!

Swimming
Often, there is one pool in the larger towns and cities, and those who frequent these gyms know how to swim. Many locals swim in rivers and lakes, but most of the waterways here are extremely polluted. Personally, I would not recommend swimming in anything aside from the Black Sea.

Judo and Weightlifting
Surprisingly, Georgia is a powerhouse (pun intended) in both weightlifting and judo. Throughout the past decade, Georgia has won several medals at the Olympic games in both of the aforementioned sports. In most local gyms, you can learn judo or lift weights!

Final notes:
*Sports are very much a male dominated field in Georgia. In fact, I've rarely seen girls play organized sports let alone attend games!
*Facilities are very different from the west. Maintenance is non existent. I don't know if i've seen many basketball nets with actual hoops...
*Georgia has organized leagues within schools (only football and track in Chiatura), but most sports are outside of school. I know many young students who can afford travel teams do, in fact, play those.
*Running publicly is unheard of. You will be starred at if you do jog.

Overall, Georgia has untapped potential to be an adventure destination! I'm confident this image will begin to change in the decades to come!