A Frenzy

The definition of "frenzy" is "Temporary state of madness or delirium".  That is what been happening in Zaqatala.  After the earthquake last year our tourism is almost nil and of course everyone has blame this on the earthquakes. But truth be told, the real reasons are the roads are bad, sidewalks are broken and they keep digging up the roads without any repairs. It was very sad and dangerous (I sprain my ankle last year in a pot hole).  Well, the President is coming to Zaqatala August 9th and everyone is going crazy trying to repair everything.  We have hundreds of laborers (many from other regions) out here working on sidewalks, buildings, roads, painting and cleaning  and it is absolutely crazy.  They have been working 7 days a week, 18-20 hours a day.  Roads are closed and you just don't want to go out because of the dust, dirt and noise.  The good news is Zaqatala is looking beautiful and we may get the tourism back, but the bad news is they are in such a rush that I am afraid the work is not quality and within a few months, the roads, sidewalks, paint is going to start falling apart again.  I watched these laborers and most do not know what they are doing and the material and workmanship is very poor.  The sad part is that nothing will be done until the President's next visit. Instead of working on the infrastructure, they just paint over and move on.  That is a shame because Zaqatala is such a beautiful town, the community leaders should want the city to be beautiful inside and out and not for just the President but for the community.  Another problem I am facing is that the owners of my apartment wants to build a house so they need to sell my apartment.  I need to move out (again) by the end of August and because of all the laborers here there is a shortage of places to live and the places they do have the owners are charging a very high rent. Never a dull moment here!!!!!!

From my balcony

Life Challenge: If we don't change, we don't grow.  If we don't grow, we aren't really living...       Gail Sheehy