Aurelia Midis!

Aurelia is leaving Georgia after being here for six months. She is our darling, our friend, our fellow singer, she is a soulmate departed. In Georgian sentimentality this is a big deal, and though Aurelia herself didn't want to make a big deal of her parting, per her American custom, I insisted, and we threw a party for her friends to come together.

Around seven in the evening two girls came and looked through all the photos etc while I cleaned the whole apartment top to bottom and installed my new woodstove and built a fire. Around nine oclock more folks came and I was obliged to start the Supra, though there were only two men and we were the only ones really into it (actually only because he was my guest was I feeling obliged). So toasting began; first to Our Meeting, to the gathering of friends, and for the special departing of our friend Aurelia. Next toast to Sweet Memories, as we sat around looking at photographs, reminiscing about our times together, and looking to Aurelia and remembering all of the wonderful times we had together. There were nine of us filling one side of my one room apartment.

All of a sudden at around ten oclock, Luarsab showed up with Giorgi Donadze and Simon, the two directors of Basiani choir, as well as Giorgi's brother Gela, who is an expert singer, his wife Nino, and her younger brother Pimen, also a singer. Luarsab and I had arranged to buy twenty tuna steaks earlier, and as all the women were tied up in discussion, Luarsab and Gela cooked up the steaks. What a role reversal! The women sat around the table chatting and drinking, the men scrambled around looking for spatulas and salt, making a big ruckous in my makeshift kitchen at the far end of the room. Aurelia and I exchanged a laugh about this as we're always talking about gender roles here.

I had to include the newcomers, so as Tamada, I repeated the first two toasts briefly, allowing them to add their words, and then proposed our third toast to Friendship. One can say anything on this theme, it is so heartfelt and beautiful. Really, I'm feeling now the love of friends distant as I go through a difficult time wondering if I should go to some theoretical musical graduate program or not, and the love of friends close as they remind me each day how strong I am to be continuing with my passions in the face of family tragedy. Such friends I have, could I have ever asked for more Lord?

So many excellent singers were present, as Tamada I demanded extra singing. Luarsab and I are now at the point where he can start any of our known songs, and I will join in on either the middle or bass part, as was the old custom. They never used to give notes, a count-in, or have a director or conductor. The first voice starts singing and when you hear your part you join to create the Whole. Without three voices, the song is crippled, like a stool without it's three legs.

I was happy to give Thea and Mindia the photos I took and developed from their Svanetian wedding Supra that I attended out in Tsalka (four hour marshutka ride on dirt roads from Tbilisi). Thea is Shergil and Shmagi's older sister, and she married Mindia who is from the neighboring mountain region Khevsureti. These are known as the two roughest highland regions in all of Georgia, from whence come the strongest fighters, the most unique songs and dances, the strangest customs, the most backwards logic, and the most loyal people one can imagine.

Then I gave toasts to Family, to Georgian Songs, to the Departed, to Faith, and to the Mother of God. Folk stayed well past 2am, and Aurelia's ride came around 3am. Good luck Aurelia, we will miss you!!