Author: Sam
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2021 Reading List
In 2021, I read 54 books – 1 fiction, 1 nonfiction, and 1 poetry/essay collection per month + some extras, continuing on a goal I set for myself in 2016 when I realized I was only reading things for school. That year, I decided to read 1 fiction book per month, and I’ve expanded on […]
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Ghvevi
Fifteen miles outside of Tbilisi, but over an hour of driving away, tossed around on rock and dirt of steep cutting hill roads. A small stable clearing. Nature is the only noise, pure wild bliss. Bread, cheese, and fresh strawberries waiting for us, my dream. We’re speaking in broken English, broken Georgian. I am learning […]
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Kazbegi
Riding along a mountain road at dusk, three and a half hours return from Stepantsminda in the back of a van, lost in stories of life and land. Three point five hours up and back, in one afternoon, narrow road cutting through green grey snow capped mountains and blue sky, the journey literally the destination. […]
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Kakheti
Wild Caucasian countryside, ancient land of walls and kings, cultures clashing, open spaces, snow capped mountain facade. The first sip of wine on the tongue is unexpectedly smooth. I’m riding through hills and history, tiny towns, buzzing with the stories of new friends. Their passion is intoxicating. “Intangible heritage,” officially, giving way to humanity of […]
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Tbilisi
Truth and trust; this is Tbilisi, Georgia, the country, the capital. Gold rust earth clean and concrete. Children, cats, cars, chatter coming in with the breeze through an open window. Colors that are warm, warmth of the sun. Walking into traffic. Alive, energized, still, standing and strong as the world swirls. Claimed, activated. Beloved. It’s a city that dwells not on the past, clings not to a future; it’s here and now. Present. The embodiment of letting go – of control, of circumstance – and simply continuing to be, regardless of what anyone else might want or command. Trusting, knowing. Trusting and knowing that authenticity, always, side by side between the pleasures and realities of life, carries all forward. Fifteen hundred years and countring. Earth wine, khachapuri egg sun, a toast, a flower stand, strangers become friends. Walking home alone in the darkness, one piece of an intricate story, slightly buzzed with joy and kisi, fifteen minutes before curfew, as the entire world suddenly has somewhere to be. The outcome is unknown, so flow with it all. Unapologetically adapting, embracing what is here now, proud, simultaneously embracing what was and open to what will be. Warm waters, the warm place – the literal tbilisi, close by always to wash away layers of outside. Inhale of steam in the beam of sun, the core reemerges fresh, pure, passionate.
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Arizona
This part of Arizona, just outside of Phoenix, is shades of green brown, pops of yellow and red, an earthy sweet smell like Greek Mountain tea. Flat. Jagged. Mountains. Desert, lake, open road, an open-top convertible. Open space, open air, open roads. __ My trip to Phoenix was quick, for a family wedding. I […]
exploring & escapades 