There is an interesting article in the New York Times International by Craig Smith. It is about the common abduction of women known as “ala kachuu” which translates roughly as “grab and run” for marriage in Kyrgyzstan. I remember my interrupter telling me that she would protect me against abduction while I was in Almaty. [...]
Keti needs to postpone coming because her exams are scheduled until May 27. I’m always amazed at how things work out. When I enthusiastically agreed to her coming on the 18th, I had totally forgotten that this is the date of the Alliance’s raffle quilt, “The Voice of You and Me 2004,” in Louisville, Kentucky [...]
I still don’t know how the Russian quiltmakers ended up in Georgia. I do know that the woman, Ludmila from St. Petersburg, giving the lecture yesterday expressed many things that I have been saying which is that Georgian quiltmakers need to make Georgian quilts not American ones. I think they may be listening more now. [...]
My trip still remains very much on my mind. I always find it interesting what surfaces in my mind just before I fall asleep. Last night I remembered the Georgian man who brought his grandmother’s shawl to me. It is difficult to tell the age of people in Georgia. Living a hard life ages people [...]
I have finally heard from the Armenian male quiltmaker! He still has hopes for an exhibition of the 100 pieces (both paintings and quilts) he has created to honor his mother. I would like to help if at all possible. I don’t know who is translating for him or how often he checks his e-mail. [...]
There are Russian quiltmakers visiting and exhibiting in Georgia! I wish I could tell you more but this is all I know. I’ve been waiting for details for 4 days. I don’t even know who sponsored the exhibition or how it all came to happen. I am use to this. The promises made are always [...]
It was my understanding that the next symposium in Tbilisi, Georgia was going to center solely on felt and include an international felt exhibition from Britain. I’ll admit to having mixed emotions. I know I don’t need the symposium to teach or to be my reason for going to Georgia. However, to not having quiltmaking [...]
Last night I went to Salt Creek Quilter’s Guild meeting (Countryside, Illinois) to sell raffle tickets and talk about Alliance membership. This is a guild that has always been wonderfully supportive of me and my efforts so even though I am not a member, it always feels like going home. Anyway, it was fun to [...]
Keti got a visa! 50 people had appointments and only 6 people got visas. I’ve been holding my breath all day worrying since I hadn’t heard. She said that they only had a couple questions. Unfortunately she didn’t tell me what they were but I did ask. So she’ll be here the end of May [...]
You may have been aware that there was a revolution in Kyrgyzstan. It began while I was in Georgia and continued while I was in Kazakhstan. Some friends feared for my safety. There was no reason. While the change of government in Georgia, known as the Rose Revolution, was accomplished with no violence, this was [...]
I finally heard from Keti tonight. Her interview for her visa is the 13th. She’s nervous. She feels her future is riding on this. Add to this, her finals for her degree begin on the 14 and go until the 16th of May. She has to pass on everything she has studied for the last [...]
This trip was both physically and emotionally hard so I thought I would skip the feeling of loss. Silly me. I don’t think I could accomplish all that I wish I could in a lifetime. I wish I could save the world through quiltmaking so I’ll just do my small part. I know that I [...]
I met “my” Keti, who likes to be called Kate, on my first trip to Georgia in the fall of 2003. She is my youngest son’s age (21 this year). We bonded instantly. I cannot tell you why. It just happened. Anyway, she is graduating from college in May and wants to get an [...]
Georgia
1. My quilt group
2. Evenings with Nino
3. Turkish coffee in the morning at House of Keria
4. Keti
Armenia
1. Anahit
2. Tea in glasses
3. The fresh juices
Kazakhstan
1. Cappucinos with Maryjo
2. Helping the quiltmakers get organized
3. The view of the mountains from my hotel window
In General
1. Teaching people who are so appreciative and are sponges
2. Learning about other cultures [...]
1. Wearing the same clothes over and over again for six weeks.
2. Not knowing when I turn on the tap if there will be water.
3. Always having to know where my flashlight was incase the power went out.
4. Not having electricity.
5. Not having easy access to a washing machine. (Only did laundry in a machine [...]
I spent less than $200 in my six weeks of travel on souvenirs. Part of it was due to not being healthy but also I think that I am becoming more selective on what I want to have hanging around my house. One of my purchases that thrills me is my tuskiiz from Kazakhstan. [...]
I spent 22 hours traveling home. I’ve decided I really wish I could be like Dorothy and just click my heels. I travel “economy” class and it’s not easy. My flight from Frankfort to Chicago, I was in the middle seat. I had good traveling companions but it was still torture. Chuck, a young man [...]
My last day in Kazakhstan and I finally get to visit the Kasteev Museum. This is the museum that lent the Kazakh quilts for the exhibition. Kasteev was the first Kazakh painter. Remember the people here were nomanic. Marjo wnet with me and we had an excellent time. Photography is not usually allowed but we [...]
This morning for over two hours I meet with almost 20 people from three museums. We discussed all aspects of quilts, exhibitions, preservation, oral history, etc. It was a most amazing experience. Again I feel that in a small way I was able to elevated quiltmaking. It was also gratifying to know that this was [...]