The morning was cloudy …As she started the car, her eyes couldn’t resist glancing at the headline in the newspaper: "What exactly does Russia want anyway?...’’She parked at her favorite place for croissant and coffee… Her eyes kept slipping into the article under the headline….... "Unfortunately, despite the call of the international community, the Russian Federation continues its violation of international law principles and obligations assumed under the ceasefire agreement.’’ Since occupational forces in the village of Ditsi in the Gori district, resumed installing barbed -wire fences"... ….Its 3 pm. Guests will be arriving in a few hours. It’s time to set up for the Supra.The Supra (diner Table)From left to right: She carefully aligns the slices of smoked Sulguni cheese -- she refuses to buy from anyone but the same haggard farmer. The tomatoes, cucumbers, the shining green onions – nobody will eat them, she thinks to herself. But they are part of the ritual.In an antique Russian porcelain bowl - green Tkemali -- green sour plum sauce mixed with crushed fresh dill, dried hot pepper, salt, ombalo spice, lots of fresh garlic...on the right side of the table, red Tkemali in a Japanese porcelain bowl.In the middle she places the broiled chicken – there’s no time to slice it - maybe later neighbor Manana will help, her mind calculates…Svanetian salt – ground up with dried hot pepper, powdered saffron, fresh dill…Khachapuri -- dough made with yogurt, topped with melted cheese mixed with an egg…A large plate with assorted Phkali: fried eggplant, beets, sweet red peppers and spinach mixed with crushed walnut…A huge cake with a killer sugary egg yolk bought from the neighbourhood baker, Bella…Khinkalli, very special dumplings with pork and beef and filled with onions, garlic, dried ground pepper and kvliavi plant…Lavash bread -- baked in huge clay kiln, the old way...
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Time to get dressed. She looks in the closet, gazes at the dress sprinkled with red dots she so badly desires to wear. But again, she puts on the black one instead and prepares her mind to greet the guest.
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On the 40th day after the death of a loved one, in Georgia as all across the Caucasus, a big dinner called Ormotsi (40) is held to mark the end of the period of mourning – only after then may close relatives of the deceased take off the black dress; stricter keepers of tradition will keep the black on for exactly a year.
