Doing Things Alone in Tbilisi (or anywhere abroad!)

So, I've been to Tbilisi several times before this long-term trip. Three times total, and all with a small group of people. However, during my last trip, only a few months ago, the schedule changed, leaving me a week alone in Tbilisi to work but also explore before others on the project arrived. While initially unexpected, the flash change also served a greater purpose. Equipped with a project to-do list from the heads of the project, I set out with plenty of tasks to tackle.

Being alone in a foreign city where I barely spoke the language (despite past and current efforts - I am slowly improving, I swear!) was a little daunting. My first unnerving task was to eat dinner at a restaurant alone. Now, yes, I could have cooked in, but I was driven by one thought - khinkali - one of my all-time favorite foods. So, I sought a close restaurant that served the dish and set out on my own, armed with a book. From my limited time in Georgia, Georgian culture is very social, and from what I've witnessed, meal times are spent with company. However, eating out alone in the U.S. can also seem intimidating. Seeing someone alone in a restaurant with a book or on their phone is a rarity. For some reason, in Georgia, I found it slightly easier to eat out alone. No one knows who you are, and eating alone can be written off as you being a tourist or foreigner in the country. I guess there's something to be said about anonymity. While I may stick out like a sore thumb, no one knows me! This thought made the dining experience much easier. Additionally, I've found that although the form of service at restaurants is different abroad, the wait staff are always kind and welcoming. My first dinner out was the most arduous alone. After that, although sometimes still challenging internally, going out for meals alone became less scary.

During the days I was alone, I worked on the various tasks for the project. Not wanting to work all day in my Airbnb, I set out for familiar settings - coffee shops. Like at home, there are seemingly hundreds of coffee shops, also filled with laptop-clad coffee-goers. Although further from my current residence, I chose one I had been to before. After working on tasks there for a day, I branched out and tested various coffee shops in my area. I explored the area beyond my walking distance by buying a metro card.

I dove head first into obtaining my metro card. I googled where I could purchase one (in any metro station) and followed the crowd. I blindly went with the flow of the line that at least looked like a place to purchase and went with the instructions of the attendant at the booth. Although my lack of language experience was an inconvenience, I walked away with a metro card! I used the metro as my mode of long-distance transportation as much as I could.

Through these few experiences, my confidence alone grew ten times. I could do things on my own - bumpy sometimes - but still achievable on my own.

This feeling carried over into the start of my long-term stay. Although still slightly bashful and nervous, I merged more easily into self-sufficiency. I am excited to make friends here during my extended stay, but during the first week (or weeks) alone, it's comforting to know that doing things alone is okay! Due to the drive of Georgian food (khinkali, mostly), I forced myself to jumpstart that growth, but everything after became easier as it went. Eating dinner or working in coffee shops alone may be daunting (and it continues to be for me), but I don't want to miss out on things just because of that. Thankfully, Georgia is full of kind waitstaff or employees who are understanding of your unfamiliarity with the customs or norms.

I look forward to meals and time spent with people I've met in Georgia. However, it is heartening to know that even when alone, I am capable of going through the day-to-day and enjoying Georgia on my own!