I feel like I’m finally emerging from the fog that is Georgian New Years.  Well, Georgian New Years with a decent dose of jet lag.

The dessert table and our family's New Year's tree on New Year's Eve

When we planned our trip to America for Christmas, we deliberately chose to fly back on the 27th so we could be here for the biggest Georgian holiday of the year, New Year’s.  We knew it would be just like last year – our city would be bustling with activity; we’d visit family and friends and they’d visit us, eating and toasting all the while; we’d watch fireworks from our back porch.  And we were right.  It was exactly the same, which for me was very comforting.  And lucky for us, it was just as fun – if not more so – than last year.

Our first complete family photo, in front of the supra table, minutes after we rang in the new year

Rather than recount the holiday, I’ll direct you to this post, wherein Sean accurately described the over-the-top hospitality, good cheer and fun from Georgian New Year last year.  It’s spot on.

Instead, I’ll share a few photos we managed to snap while celebrating with our family, entertaining guests at our home or visiting people at theirs.  I think we managed to visit eight homes this year – down from last year, but we still have a few more places to hit.

Our host sister sporting a Santa hat on New Year's Eve. Like most people here, New Year's is her favorite holiday.

Our host dad explaining something (I forget now) to us; he speaks incredibly fast and often uses hand gestures to make sure his Americans understand.

After visiting extended family, our neighbors came over. Toasting and drinking is usually reserved for men, but as a married American woman I am included, although not pressured to drink. In fact, one neighbor told me I was like "his brother," which I assume is the equivalent of being one of the guys. Win!

Yesterday, after things had calmed down a bit, we (plus Kimberly, another volunteer in town) went to visit our tutor Tiko in her village. It's fun to have relationships outside our host family and our own schedule of homes to visit on New Year's.

Know that if you are reading this, we’ve been toasting to you, your health, your happiness and your future this week!  Georgians are expert toasters and with their help, many glasses of wine were drank to celebrate our parents, siblings, relatives, future children, friends, those close at heart but far away…the list goes on.  There were, and continue to be, lots of warm wishes sent your way from Georgia.  გილოცავთ ახალ წელს, or, Happy New Year, everyone!