Language, Love, and Life Lessons: Our Encounter with Ina

In March 2020 world was beginning to lock down, and unknowing to me, chaos loomed on the horizon. I was blissfully unaware of the storm brewing as I cruised along the serene Georgian coast of the Black Sea in my campervan, with my then boyfriend, Jake.

COVID was just starting to make headlines and we were worried about getting stranded in Turkey or Georgia, fearing that the healthcare systems there might not be adequate. Therefore, we decided to curtail our stay in the Caucasus and return to the EU before potential border closures.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, we commenced our daily ritual of looking for a place to camp. Premier "VanLife" spots by the water were harder to find along the Black Sea, particularly in Georgia, due to the coast's infrastructure and geology. However, after only a few minutes we spotted an opening and veered off the highway onto a rocky road that led to a beach. This place seemed like a winner and we were thrilled at the prospect of spending the evening with the sounds of waves crashing right outside our van.

The location seemed perfect, except for one small detail; there looked to be a homeless encampment about 100ft away. It was constructed of washed-up logs tied together to form a square structure and had a tattered blue tarp serving as a roof with torn pieces hanging over the sides to offer some privacy to whoever was inside.

As we set up camp and began preparing dinner, we observed an elderly woman meandering along a nearby dirt path. Dressed in a warm brown jacket and sturdy shoes suitable for the rough terrain, she moved with a slight hunch, indicative of either her age or perhaps fatigue. A blue headscarf covered most of her hair, adding a touch of vibrant color to her otherwise earth-toned attire.

She was surrounded by nearly a dozen dogs, which seemed to always circle around her, hinting at a familiar and tranquil relationship. She walked in and out of a nearby structure, feeding these dogs and attending to them with gentle care. The lady seemed wholly at peace, engrossed in her silent interactions with the dogs. Her calm demeanor and the care she seemed to extend to these animals added a layer of depth to our perception of her.

As the night progressed, she kept to herself and we did the same. However, we shared this strange company. Occasionally, our gazes would meet, each glancing at the other's domain. I wondered if she was as intrigued by us as we were by her.

“Jake, what would you think about inviting her over for dinner?” I asked, surprising even myself.

“Are you serious? She probably doesn’t even speak English.”

Valid. But while it's true that language barriers exist, they haven't hindered my ability to communicate. I was encouraged by a moment I had just weeks ago, where I had a full conversation with an elderly man in the village of Pozanti, Turkey using Google Translate. We discussed my travels, his family, and much more. In today's world, language seems to no longer be a significant obstacle to communication.

With a bit of encouragement, Jake agreed to invite her over for dinner.

The decision transported me back to an experience I had in Richmond, VA, where I extended a lunch invitation to two gentlemen, Vincent and Rodney, who were frequently seen outside my house. Both had compelling stories that left a lasting impact on me. I distinctly remember Vincent, once a nurse, sharing a chilling insight, "Everyone is just a paycheck away from being where I am." His life had taken a turn for the worse following a divorce and a defaulted car loan, which spiraled him into an overwhelming debt, and consequently, the situation he found himself in. Rodney, equally insightful, offered a unique perspective on life's challenges. Their stories served as a profound learning experience for me. I imagined how powerful replicating that experience could be here, inclusive of the geographical differences we’d have.

I waited until she was back outside to approach and extend the invitation to dinner. I had my phone ready just in case there was a language barrier. It wasn’t needed though. While very basic, she understood enough English to comprehend our dinner invitation, and introduce herself as Ina. She also happily accepted our invitation.

When she stepped into the van, I think Jake and I both may have been second guessing our decision. A closer look revealed her wild frizzy hair, and an odor that was to be expected. She had drool running down her chin and had a look amid perpetual confusion as we tried to speak to her. But through it all she also carried with her a warm, calming smile.

Dinner had already been prepared and was served on the table by the time she arrived. A chicken Alfredo dish, which she seemed to enjoy. There wasn’t much conversation occurring during dinner time. Just basic phrases trying to explain where we have been and what we were doing in Georgia and the basics of her life.

I quickly realized that this moment wouldn't hold the same profundity as the one I shared with Vincent and Rodney in Virginia. Nonetheless, we were glad to provide her with a new experience, tasty food, and brief conversation.

As we wrapped up our meal, I pulled out a Kit Kat bar for the three of us to share. While we enjoyed the makeshift dessert, I also pulled out my phone and turned on the live translator feature, which allows users to have back and forth conversations in real time instead of us just looking up a few words and trying to make a conversation out of that. We explained to her how it worked, set it to her native language in Russian, clicked “start conversation,” and set the phone down in front of her.

Ina began to speak, and the once hardly recognizable murmurs coming from her mouth were read in crystal clear English across the phone screen.

Ina began describing her life story, from growing up nomadically, her time living in a Turkish commune, and most interestingly, her general thoughts and views on the world.

I took a screenshot of many of the translations and therefore can share some of the specifics of the conversation.

Ina left Russia at a young age in search of a better life. For decades she lived nomadically throughout Eastern Europe, Turkey, and the Caucasus. She talked extensively about her time in a Turkish commune. She described the community as a group of people who want to “do drugs and live freely, but also create ecological settlements in a non-invasive way of living that if reproduced all over the world would enable our planetary civilization.”

Yes, that is a direct translation.

She talked extensively about Soviet aggression towards Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia. Explaining that Georgians are exhausted and right when things get calm is when Russia will make its next claim on foreign land. Hindsight is 20/20 knowing what we now know regarding Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

There was one central theme that most of the topics she spoke on were connected to: the interconnectedness of all things.

She discussed cosmoenergy, specifically the work of renowned Russian physicist Dr. Emil Bagirov. A prominent figure in the field, he developed a method that utilizes cosmic energy fields, which are believed to have healing properties.

“I am not a theorist, but his work delineated the importance of caring for all living things on our planet. As the effects will be felt in every heart, mind, soul, and cell across the world.”

Jake and I sat there, stunned, as we continued to read her words across the screen. It’s like we were on a episode of Punk’d.

She talked about the dogs she kept around. “I’m like their God. I’m all they have. Without me they would die. So they love me and take care of me when I need it too.”

The idea that she spends money or resources to feed these dogs and keep them alive, versus bettering her own life, was profound to me. And also it was interesting to see her actions backing up her words of caring for all living things. She clearly practiced what she preached.

Finally, I asked her what advice she would give to me, and every other person I shared this story with. While in my upcoming memoir, I may add more depth and reflection, today I will let her words speak for themselves:

“If a couple really was once created at the beginning of time, Adam and Eve, I am sure that they were sown on earth in order to observe and care for everything that exists on our planet. That is our purpose here. That is the purpose of humankind. To be stewards of all living things on this planet. We can create the Kingdom of God right here we just have to start sincerely taking care of everything that surrounds us without haste. A person who knows how to care for every little beetle, flower, and everything can tap into their childlike mindset and feel everything like they are 10, even at an old age. Do not be afraid of old age and death. We can live for many years, and even if we don’t, we can live intensely as if our life is very long, by simply caring for and loving all living things. I love you.”

I love you too, Ina. Thanks for the wisdom in life.

Don't judge a book by its cover, folks.