Our group was spending about a month on a cross-cultural immersion trip in the Republic of Georgia. We tried new foods, visited cultural landmarks, learned about Georgia's history, and, somewhere along the way, strangers became friends.

One of those new friends was a delightful Georgian named Malkhaz.

Picture a man with white hair and a long white beard. Imagine infectious laughter. Sense what it feels like to be in the presence of someone who is very wise.