Toasting

So, in Georgia they do this thing called toasting when they are having a Supra (a party around a table of food). I thought it meant toasting, as in clink your glasses together and take a sip. Here, toasting means chugging a glass of wine each time a toast is made...and there are usually at least 10 toasts per Supra. Let's just say, the next day I didn't feel my best. They toasted to all sorts of things, first the house that we are in (thanking the owner for letting us come in and eat/drink with him), then the tamada (toastmaster) will continue making toasts for his country (and mine), for all of our families, for all of our friends, and you always have to toast the dead, which is followed by another more happy toast (such as toasting to my sisters specifically, that they are well and my find love soon and have many children). The tradition here is beyond amazing. When they do drink, it's in people's honor...not just to get drunk. I even hiked up a small hill to Gori Castle the other day which was breathtaking; you could see the entire city from the top as well as the mountains surrounding the city. Last but not least, I had my first day of teaching yesterday! It went well; the first class was a bit rough as I was trying to find out the best way for them to learn, but after that it went smoother! It's hard having to teach people English when you have to start from scratch. So, we learned the alphabet, the verb to be, greetings, and various jobs. I guess tomorrow will be the true test to see if anything I have taught them sticks!