LOTS OF, LOTS OF...

LOTS OF, LOTS OF...

NO CARAVAN TIP

I was talking this morning with the man from the USA that works

at A.I.D. at breakfast. Discussing the pros and cons of transportation

in Iraq. We both agree that a Caravan of cars is dangerous, and that

an older car and not these brand new SUV's is better. He is in with

an Iraqi person that has a 6 year old car.



The Caravan is an obvious target if you are wanting to make a statement.

It is hard to know when a normal taxi or bus is a good target.



I have mentioned many times in my newsletter over the years that to

be in a rental car or any type of vehicles that is special brings

too much attention to you, and makes you a target for theft.

In most countries the theft or robbery could be a policeman.



The Jakarta bombing is the proof in the pudding that high profile

is a target.



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KEBOB IS ON FLAT SKEWERS

The Kebob her is cooked with a long flat skewer.

It is about 3/4 inch wide andy 24 inches long.

They used the same type of skewer in Turkey.

There seems to be Lamb, Chicken and Beef Kebobs.





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SULAMANI HAS A LIQUOR STORE ACROSS THE STREET



I am in the luxury area of town.

Not really my choice. The hotel next to me is 60 dollars a night.

Mine is 11 dollars USA.

But there is a liquor store across the street.

Muslims do not drink... hehehe



The other day I ask a man,

"Kurdish?"

And pointing at him.

He shakes his no.

Then says,

"Christian."

OK, he lives in the Kurdish area or Erbil.

But he does not call himself Kurdish.

So Kurdistan appears to be about religion more than location

and any color of skin or physical characteristics.



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I TELL JJ HE LOOKS LIKE A SOLDER HE SAYS I LOOK LIKE CIA



Or an expatriate that forgot to go home...

JJ the guy I met in Erbil was young and in good shape.

He could easily be a soldier. The funny part though is a lot

of the soldiers look out of shape. I think they are national guard.



He said I look like CIA.



But a soldier said,

"There was a couple of CIA In Mosul.

Real fat, and the Soldier asked,

How do they run?"



I would think the CIA would be somewhere...?

I think they are in hiding.

That is out on the streets, walking the markets.

The only foreign people I see is Soldiers.



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