Smiles in Samtredia

Near Samtredia, Georgia, Kaukasus, the bus stops at an uninspiring gas station.

Behind the gas station I look for the toilets, where there is now a line of other passengers. The line gets a little shorter and then I see her sitting down. A slightly older woman who apparently is the toilet lady. Nothing spectacular you might say.

Now in Dutch we say, life is a party but you have to hang the garlands yourself. Well, that was necessary that day, because even when traveling you sometimes get out of bed on the wrong side or you feel lonely. Every human being however, has the power to turn something simple into something fun and special. And every person is spectacular.

With that thought I have a second look at this lady.

Something in her eyes appeals to me, a sparkle in the distance. I smile at her and we connect. That moment I get frustrated because I don't speak Georgian. Then I notice the bus driver who is smoking a cigarette behind the gas station. He speaks three words of English and becomes my translator! This is how I met Dorana, who is 74 years old and indeed her job is to take care of the toilets. I tell her that she looks beautiful and sweet and that I hope she has a nice day. I sit next to her and give her a hug. There at those toilets behind that gas station in Samtredia. And so I met the sweetest toilet lady in Georgia. Dorana makes unimportant moments special. A great reminder that I will do more often.