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| About |
This is the Travel Blog of Andy of HoboTraveler.com
Daily Travel Tip
Daily Photos
Thanks to Mom, Dad, Family and Friends and Boy Genius From India
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| PHOTO I TOOK IN KIRKUK |
| Saturday, August 23, 2003 |
There are a few USA soldiers on the roof of this building.
Outside the Taxi driver said was a bunch of Ex Saddam Soldiers that want a salary.
The war is won, but nobody was beaton. Go figure?
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posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 2:29 PM   |
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| SO THE MAFIA GANG WAR IS IN THE WAY OF BAGHDAD |
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In the simplest terms. Kirkuk is having a gang war.
After they stop their turf war.
Me and my friends can drive on through to Baghdad.
A Mafia type mentality with way too much money. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 2:16 PM |
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| HOW THIS SOCIETY APPEARS TO BE SET UP |
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This by all signs should be a very poor country.
The social development I have only seen on the Amazon River and
along the Mekong in Laos. In these area it is possible that a tribe could go over
to its neighbor and kill a few people with no apparent reason.
At least not a good reason.
This is what happened today in Kirkuk. Turkman and Kurdish killed each other.
This is about the same a the Democrats killing a few Republicans in the USA,
or similiar to the killing in Northern Ireland. The Catholics and the Protestants.
WHAT IS STRANGE?
Both Saddams Mosul and Kirkuk are very well off compared to most countries.
All of Kurdistan is very developed compared to most countries.
What it appears is that they got a lot of money from OIL.
The had a mentality of Mike Tyson and work on the same wavelength.
So you go a lowly street type mentality with a lot of money.
Suseptable to sudden temper tantrums like Mike Tyson. The same type of
way of looking at the world.
THIS IS REAL FOOLER
They are so wealthy it makes me feel like leaving.
They have no idea what poor is here in the north of Iraq.
Maybe in the south it is different. But my gut instinct says no.
So you give a poor kid a bunch of money and he abuses the world.
Tribes with lots of cash.
They define themselves constantly by their religion, and other subcategories.
Assyrian, Turkman, Kurdish, Arab, PDK etc.
All seem to want to be the leader of the mafia like society.
They are not working on all cylinders. I must be very careful that I do not
overestimate their sense of fairness and justice.
They are very honest also. I have had 0 problem with petty crime
like pickpockets or the cleaning people stealing. Nothing makes me feel
like they rob much. So the whole situation is strange.
Maybe this is the overlay of a heavy hand of Islam.
The religion is good, but fails to monitor its own.
They are still operating on the mentality of the period of the Crusades.
I think 90 percent of the development had to happen in the last 20 years
and before that they was just a step above the "Cradle of Civilization"
Too many crazy things happen.
Like I said. Only in Laos and on the Amazon.
I wanted to stay a night in a small village on the Mekong between
the Golden Triangle and Luang Prakbang. There was this guide boy.
He said it was very dangerous.
The practices some time of Animalism or some worship of Animals and sun gods.
Things like that.
I ask him,
"Why not stay?"
He say,
"The might kill you."
I could not understand the answer and in reality his English was bad
and that is a terrible answer. It does not explain anything.
I finally think I understand. In the social development and civilizing of a
tribe there comes a time when the tribe combines with others until there
is a group or country. The mix and become one. If they continue to define
themselves and behave in a racist manner. They are still tribal.
Thus the reason why people talk about Tribes in Iraq.
Trust me. They do not look like tribes when driving a Mercedes or a Beemer.
These boys have some bucks.
OK. What about Laos.
The village was very simple. They think in terms of suspicions and gossip.
All that has to happen is the gossip goes the wrong way and you are dead.
No real law. Same as Iraq. They have it, but you just go for the hills.
Same in Mexico sometimes.
This is a violent people. Latin Americans are not violent.
Spanish blood is violent. Southeast Asians are violent.
All of the Western world is violent. That is why there are so many laws.
We need them or we would kill each other.
My friend in Mosul one of the school teachers was saying
that there is 3 tribes in Tikrit. I am sure they do not look like
what you think a tribe looks like. But they probably behave like
you would think. Women have almost 0 rights here.
Living proof that people would not handle money the way they
should if they had it. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 2:14 PM |
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| TURKMAN AND KURDISH KILL EACH OTHER IN KIRKUK |
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Kirkuk is the city I stopped in the other day and too a few photos.
Could not find a cheap hotel, so came back to Arbil.
But the rumor is that the Kurdish have killed 5 Turkmans.
The Turkman have killed 5 Kurdish. This is not good.
I am suppose to leave Abil. Go to Kirkuk. Enter the Saddam territory
and go onto Baghdad on monday. My friend with the car is not too happy.
He calls them Turkman.
I guess the are both Sunni Moslem. But sort of like Catholic and Protestant.
I tell you. It is not good to be different... hehehe |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 1:33 PM |
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| CHRIS GIVE ME DETAILS OF CNN WOMAN |
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Her name is Rudi Bahktiar, but I think that's Pakistani. I can watch her for hours...LOL.. Also Heidi Collins, if you can see her there on your regional version - highly recommended. Hah! I have 2 CNN's here with different extreme anchorwomen. There's also a very hot young blonde war correspondent on FOX whose name I can't recall, but generally the "Women of CNN" would be the title on a Playboy magazine that I'd impulse buy if I saw it on a newstand.
I don't miss the 5 dollars. Maybe go to a 2-Star instead some night. You might run into Saddam Hussein! Get me an autograph - I could sell that on EBAY.
Eating Steak and Cheetos since 4 AM here in lakes and forest North Idaho. Good Fun!
- Chris
ANSWER: Nice to know on these lonly nights the girl on CNN has a name.
What I do? |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 1:29 PM |
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| OIL WELL IN KIRKUK - BURNING OFF THE GAS |
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| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 9:51 AM |
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| CNN GIRL IS LOOKING GOOD |
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I can tell there are no women here.
I am looking at the girl on CNN and thinking she looks good.
I like the one from India. I think that is where she is from.
The others though are just SO SO.
I have to watch CNN Asia or World.
That way they can distort the news for the region to best fit their distortion.
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| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 9:17 AM |
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| UPGRADE OF COST ON HOBOTRAVELER.COM |
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Hello,
A Hobo Life is always a little more expensive each day. Is that progress or recession.
I just went from the 350 Meg Package to the 500 Meg Package.
It is hosted with some pretty good guys for techies.
But to some. I am also a Techie!
Here is their hosting page:
http://www.wizardshosting.com/
The are good. I would recommend.
Life is Good!
I will smile them down. Maybe the give me discount.
Make them laugh till they discount.
Try to smile them down.
Ooops.. this is all text. OK. Laugh them down. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 5:29 AM |
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| hmm My big debate |
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If a person, people, religion, race, creed declares war on my country or beliefs.
Am I in a war? |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 5:23 AM |
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| ANSWER ON MOMS LETTER ABOUT CHRISTIANS |
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Hello,
OOPS. Got the real bosses in life a little on edge. My mother corrected me.
That she was a Christian first and an American second.
I agree, but was more or less trying to explain the racism here in Iraq. The put things
in this order. Country then Religion. Although the religion is more important here also.
But it is hard to believe anyone would kill in the name of a God.
YOU are a PERSON last here. If you are not defined first. You do not exist.
I remember 2 black people in Venezuela fighting over the name.
One was a Moreno and the other a Negrito. The Moreno had straight hair.
The Negrito has curly. I was laughing all the way to the next place.
Sad though. The Moreno was more black then the Negrito. The word Negrito means
Black, blah blah blah. I could care less. They was both nice, but did not want to
talk with each other. They both wanted to talk with me, but not to each other.
I was in between.
This has a strange bearing on life. Chavez is a Dictator. Racist country.
Saddam is a Dictator and this country is racist.
We are humans first and all the rest is just noise. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 5:05 AM |
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| NATASHA WANTS TO SEE PHOTO AND INFORMATION ON ME |
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SHE WROTE:
Why would I want to know? And why would I spend my time pursuing the
question on a Friday night?
a psychological analysis: I was bored one day at work. Couldn't focus
because I was day dreaming of traveling in Iraq. I turned to the
internet and began a targeted search to find people traveling in iraq posting
weblogs
or blogs. in google i typed "travel OR travels OR traveling iraq
weblog OR
blog" and yours pops up pretty close to the top. i did more searches. i
stumbled upon blogger sites where soldiers or marines stationed in iraq
every once in a while posted some pics or text. but yours was exactly
what i was looking for. it was personal, extensive, random yet specific.
myreaction was, i find this person, who is doing exactly what i was day
dreaming, which of course, this person, you...you sparked my curiosity.
you post all these pics but there are none of you. several times you make
the point you won't show yourself in the pics. i guess i'm just curious,
naturally, and asked for more specifics. i bet i'm not the only one
who's curious.
ANSWER
Probably the number one request.
Photo of me. But here I am a Hobo. I like to travel more then I like
to write this newsletter or blog. If I was famous, or people could see
me and recognize me, they would think maybe I am special.
I am just me. Nothing special. Just a guy enjoying life as I wish.
If a person could recognize me I would be famous.
What good would it do for the world or me.
I think fame is a curse. I would like my newsletter to be famous.
It would be nice to think I open the eyes of the world.
But I believe I am quite handsome and have had well over my share...
But this would just help the letter. Something about a pretty face
sell shoes, cars, and all sorts of things. I would rather you liked me
for my brain. I understand that is not the reason people like each other.
The brain has little to do with it. But for my blog and newsletter.
That is your only option.
Plus I could destroy my passion. My love of travel. Fame. A curse. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 4:21 AM |
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| STATUS OF WEBPAGE FOR SCHOLARS - VisitMosul.Org |
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I reserved and paid for the domain name. "Visitmosul.org" today.
http://www.visitmosul.org
It is organization because it is non profit.
It is visit because they want to welcome the world.
Warning ( I do not respect or believe in anyway with their views of Jewish.
The majority of these people are racist toward the Israel or Jewish people
and this is a danger.) My help will not in anyway support this. Plus I do not
recommend anyone of the Jewish religion to come to Iraq. It is extremely dangerous.
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| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 4:06 AM |
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| READER OF NEWSLETTER QUESTION |
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A newsletter asked:
Andy,
what was the plate of food in the picture on this
screen
http://www.hobotraveler.com/120mosul03.shtml
that you didn't like? it looks kind of gross.
thanks jennifer
ANSWER
Something to do with peppers, onions and rice.
I do not eat food to make people happy.
I no longer care if they are offended. So be it.
It is one of them quiche lover specials for the Fruits and Nuts of the world.
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| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 3:15 AM |
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| I HAVE A QUESTION |
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I try to negotiate with most countries.
I say I will trade 5 American Girls for 1 of theirs.
They sort of like that idea.
I have been bouncing off the Iraq people with this Joke.
I wonder sometimes if they have ever seen a women.
They watch the sex on TV and the videos constantly Surf the net
and all sorts of things. Sometimes they act like girls do not exist.
I do not see many, and wonder myself.
Are there girls in Iraq? |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 3:07 AM |
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| USING MY MATERIAL - PRE-LICENSED IF BEHAVE |
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I had a person ask me for permission to send or repeat what I said,
You need to include and blame me for all my comments by sending them to my
page. Say written by,
Andy the HoboTraveler.com
http://www.hobotraveler.com/blogger.html
Best to say where. Newsletter or blog. But in the end. Who cares. Just get the "HoboTraveler.com" correct....
Andy the noise a.k.a. HoboTraveler.com
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| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 2:58 AM |
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| BAGHDAD BOB IS FAMOUS |
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You remember that stupid public announcer man for Saddam.
"Baghdad Bob."
I believe that is his name. He is being used to sell here in Iraq.
The made a very funny cartoon or spoof of him.
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| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 2:34 AM |
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| THE ROAD TO BAGHDAD |
| Friday, August 22, 2003 |
From Arbil we will go to Kirkuk. Enter the Arab part and go to Baghdad.
I am going to have lots of trouble getting to Tikrit.
Unless the Soldiers help.
Anyone want to give me a ride to Tikrit?
Are you CIA people reading? Get me to Tikrit please.
So I can say,
"Who's next?" |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 1:32 PM |
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| USA WAS CORRECT TO ATTACK IRAQ |
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Saddam had billions of dollars.
He hated the USA and Israel.
He had enough money to buy a nuclear bomb.
He had already used and purchase weapons of mass destruction.
Saddam is the Weapon of Mass destruction.
The only solution is to kill him and anyone that support him.
This is just too easy folks.
A crazy man with enough money to buy a nuclear bomb.
The first sign of being crazy is wanting to even fight with the USA.
Even France is not that stupid, and their economy is showing that they
can be pretty stupid. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 1:30 PM |
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| EXPRESSING MY FEARS |
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What is up with all you intellectuals and crazies.
The world has danger. To ignore and not discuss it is just fear.
I write down these ideas and fears for lots of reason.
But most of all as a testin ground. I could make a drastic bad decision.
(Please do not send me a silly email saying. Do not go to Baghdad)
But maybe I am thinking about this wrong, and a person could tell me my mistake
before it got me killed.
I also have lots of experience and sharing that can keep a person safe also.
I am afraids. Mostly of women, but also of the Religous people here.
They appear to be the big problem. The normal Joe Blow on the street is not the problem.
It is that insane person that believe the television and the Islamic leaders.
WHAT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS THING TO DO IN IRAQ?
Talk about the Palestine / Israel problem.
It is obvious that the majority of people are completely racist and want to kill and destroy Israel.
This is almost everyone. Crazy, but it is that racist. They are brainwashed.
The USA support Israel, therefore I am guilty.
So this makes them see white.
Almost all of them. That is the nature of a dicatarship. They want a common enemy.
Reminds you of Hitler?
But if you say you are not afraid.
Stay home and never leave.
I think you have delusions of adequacy.
Everyone is afraid of the world. It is a dangerous place.
I remember laughing and commenting on a guy in the Babylon Hotel saying to me
that I was safe. I was a civilian. Tell that to the dead workers in the UN.
I just this morning has Hassan tell me that Mosul is safe.
He has a complete inablity to have empathy with me. He thinks to himself,
"I am safe, therfore you are safe."
Stupid Stupid Stupid.
This is normal logic. No empathy at all.
When you have guide. Think about how well they understand the USA culture
or the German Culture. Can they think what you feel.
Do you know what I feel?
Or do you spend all you time trying to disagree?
Or are you too afraid to even consider it?
Are you a spectator in life or a player?
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| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 1:25 PM |
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| I WAS CORRECTED |
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Those of you that suck know who you are.
Those of you who are good people also know that.
Thanks to the good people that help and support me.
I suppose there are the players in life, and the spectators. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 1:11 PM |
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| CHRIS I WILL MAIL IT |
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aaagh. I started to get on paypal.com to send you back that money.
I am too afraid. I touched that in Thailand and they shut me off.
The do not like you accessing from certain countries. I have my mother
send you check or maybe you will do me another favor and reverse it.
I am not sure if that is possible. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 1:03 PM |
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| CHIS IN IDAHO - I OWE YOU.! |
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Hello,
I feel like putting you on the payroll Chris. Do NOT send donations. I owe you. It is hard to explain how you help me by doing research and sending information when I am in an information crunch. It is very difficult to travel the world. You are the best. I could not carry with me the books, maps, information and advice that you provide in wonderful and sincere genuine and caring detail.
Chris you are a frind to this Hobo.
I am returning the money. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 12:57 PM |
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| APOLOGY TO GERMANS |
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Peter the Brit explained something and it was more or less confirmed yesterday in Mosul.
I see lots of Mercedes and BMW's. It appears that the Kurdish people, and some of the Arab people
are extremely wealthy. That is true, but the better truth may be in the explanation that Peter gave.
ALL ARE STOLEN
Either they go to Germany and buy a car and leave the country, or they just buy a stolen car.
Peter was saying there is an advertisement for German to come to Poland.
It says,
"Come visit. Your car is already here."
So it appear that all the cars are stolen, and maybe they are not rich, but just part of the chain
of purchaser of stolen cars. I need duct tape.
OK. Germans you are off the hook. I apologize. You maybe did not break the sancitions.
But I still have my eye on you, as do I on the French. Only and mostly the women. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 12:48 PM |
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| PETER? You have better accomplished the mission. |
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Peter has a mission.
He is suppose to go the torture museum of Saddams there and take photos.
I hope? Maybe that was my mission and since I failed, I transferred it to him.
Nonetheless. They wrote an article in the Baghdad Bulletin on this, and I cannot find it. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 10:45 AM |
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| PETER WRITES FROM SULAMANIA |
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HE WROTE:
You know, I've seen more female hair (unfortunately all on the top of their heads) in the past 36 hours than I have in the previous God-knows-how-long.
See you soon,
ANSWER:
If you get close enough to smell them, and it smells good. I will be right there.
I am not sure women exist in this country.
Justin from Australia. Please come and do a search.
You are one of the world great... Women chaser.
We need some help. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 10:41 AM |
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| I WILL BE OK |
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Some of you believe you are being watched.
Most believe that in Astrology and all the mystic crap.
Some of you think a good drug will make you think clearly.
I do not believe any of this crap.
But I do believe in how I feel.
I feel that I am in a good world that like me, and does not want to harm me.
Call it a sense of destiny, or what not, but I do not feel in danger at all.
I am OK, and the world is OK. I am positive though that I am not stupid.
I do not and will not do stupid things. I am not controllable. I will not go along
with a stupid action to be part of the gang. After 7 years on the road.
Only being robbed once for 70 dollars in Thailand.
I am getting that feeling of being the master of this travel thing.
But then again. Who would come to Iraq, if they did not think they could handle the
problems. Plus I think there is probably one of the good Gods watching me.
I have a feeling there are a few bad boy Gods. I am not sure though. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 10:37 AM |
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| BAGHDAD OR BUST - That will put a chill in my mother |
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I lived a good life. I have not regets. I live my own dreams.
I made more mistake then needed, but I did a few good things.
So let talk about Danger!
Baghdad is a big city. I probably had enough crime before Saddam supposed to have
released
500,000 prisoner out of the jails
I was told this by a Kurdish man.
I have seen 5 jails on the road to Mosul and 5 jails on the road to Kirkuk.
I took photos. These places are huge. Saddam did not put up with crap.
Any questions and you was in Jail.
So these people are probably in Baghdad.
The you got the Islamic Jihad types.
There is the odd guy that is ex military that has a burr up his butt because
he lost the war, and has no job. So all in all. Why go to this place?
I just want to know.
What percentage want the USA to leave?
I will ride with a man from Erbil. He knows Baghdad.
The danger in Baghdad is the trip from the end of a bus trip or colective taxi to the
hotel. They drop me off at the entrance to Baghdad, and that is where the danger lies.
So by going with Farid. I do not have to do this. Plus if the good hotels are full he
will drive us around until we are safe. Then we just keep our heads down. Stay away
from the UN and their big targets called SUV's. (Toyota Land Cruisers)
Make sure we are not predictable and have a smile. Make some people want to help
protect us. That is done by endearing ourselves with people. Chat and talk with the
locals. They will warn us of any danger.
I am sort of a hard ass about travel sometimes, but most of the time I am surrounded
by people that help me. I meet the best of the best, and have learned to walk away
and be firm with the crazies. I am the one responsible for my life.
It really is not that difficult. But for those of you that think a guy with a machine gun
will protect you. Kiss you ass goodbye. That just gurantees that the crazies think you
are important enough to kill. Be a Hobo. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 10:30 AM |
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| LETTER FROM READER |
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A READER WROTE:
My name is REMOVED TO PROTECT THE SILLY. I am a 20 year old student in
Virginia. My passion is for music, literature, and art. However, I am uninspired
by the place I live. Troubles and depression come my way and I blame it
on my locality. I have grown to dislike America and the American dream and
the roles people sacrifice themselves to be a part of. My first hunch is
that I should go to Central America or South America. My education tells me
that some of the most beautiful sites and cultured down-to-earth people
probably live there. I want to be a traveler who inspires people’s creativity
and spreads positivity from place to place. Unfortunately I have been
condemned to this one spot for nearly my entire life. Many of my memories are
painful so I must leave and find peace of mind and see beautiful places and be
a part of ingenious cultures uncorrupted by what corrupts. So I ask you,
an experienced traveler, for your advice. I need to know where to start
my new adventure. Can you point some direction for me? How should I get
there? What will I need to bring? Will I be allowed to cross borders? Is
there a way I can get financial help traveling or any sort of help? (I have
$2000 saved up to do this) What’s the best way for a traveler to keep in
touch with a select kin of people? I anticipate and fully appreciate your
personal reply. Let good times be with you.
ANSWER:
Learn to love yourself before you leave the country.
In Peru you can learn how the piss on your foot.
You can learn how the Europeans will make a smart assed remark at every chance
because you are American.
You can learn how the Mexican guy talk the American girls into sex and then
try to make them a wife to pay the bills.
Ecuadorians just bump into you on the street.
Brazilians like to get drunk in the back of the bus and be obnoxious to women.
You can travel and could leave the USA because you have an American Passport.
Be grateful for what you got, and where you are born.
I have found that we are the only country that has the...
"Amercan Dream."
The rest of the world dreams about America and you see only what is wrong.
Go turn on MTV and stay home. You would not be a good representation of the
country.
Note: 2000 Dollars would last about 1/2 year in South America.
And the women are great. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 10:18 AM |
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| WHY LISTEN TO OPINIONS |
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I find that most emails are wanting me to change how I do something or believe I am wrong.
Like a person in the USA telling me how the Iraqi people think...duh, get a life.
There is not many reasons to listen to opinions. I do read all the emails I receive, some are really stupid.
But I try to understand and reply, but when someone just disagrees. Go get you own blog or newsletter.
That is the solution to that. There is a BLOGGER.com link at the bottom of this page.
It is free. You could have hate mail from all the countries of the world. Just think.
I ACCIDENTALLY LEFT A PHOTO ON LINK.
My friend wrote me an was glad I finally gave you a photo.
I thanked her for telling me, and found the photo really quick.
Deleted it. Fame is the rest of them who want to be special.
I just want to earn enough money to travel.
I have never waivered on this. I do this for money.
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| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 10:10 AM |
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| CRITICIZISM FOR THE USA |
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Hmmm.
Lets see, there is lots.
We work too much is my first thought.
But you probably want me to talk about Iraq.
I guess the fact that the Soldiers are unfriendly and for the most part act like
low classed and idiots. That is a start.
I generally do not get people started on by saying anything bad about the USA.
In 7 years of travel I have learned. The Europeans have Pe@## envy and they
are looking for a way to get some Americans on their side.
My friend Jack from Canada used to say in Pie de la Cuesta.
"Remember Andy, lots of countries and most have had their ass kicked by the
USA and want some payback. Most have lost wars to the USA."
He would put in the punch for few European countries.
Saying,
"Most of Europe, only knows and is good at getting occupied."
Jack was in the Korean War,
Died a couple of years ago.
But had a good horse sense about diplomacy.
Now for me, I am trying to remeber if anyone from any country besides the USA
has ever even sent a dollar. I do remember a guy from Mexico put 1 dollar on his
credit card.
As for the manners of USA Soldiers. I wrote in my first newsletter in Iraq that they
needed to improve their hellos.
I think the Americans are very stupid to fix the electrical problems for this nation.
They are a rich nation. Set up a government and let them swim.
I am 100 percent sure that the electrical problem were here before the bombs
started. Plus you will have a riot when they get a meter and have to pay.
I think the Americans are stupid for wanting to help so much.
Just do the minimun and get out.
Set up a HUGE military base in the north and the south and protect
this region from the crazies. But stay on the base and let the locals kill each
other, and work out their goverment. South Korea, German, and Japan all
have USA military bases.
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| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 9:57 AM |
|
|
|
| NEWSLETTER SENT |
|
I guess the best way to read it is to subscribe... hehehe
Lots of stuff in there. My blog is just me making noise.
The newsletter is a complete thoughts, and the tips.
This week was on travel instincts.
Link is above. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 7:08 AM |
|
|
|
| WHO AM I IN IRAQ |
|
Hello,
I am a American first.
I am a Christian Second.
They want to know why I am here.
"I say I am crazy, and I think I may be."
I ask a man today,
"Why cannot the good Muslim people stop the evil ones?
Is evil stronger than your religion?"
He did not like the question.
I was asked all these stupid questions the other night
and they popped on an extra.
"Do you like the Kurdish Women?"
Catch 22. I am screwed on any answer.
If I say yes, they will be jealous and maybe angry.
If I say no, then may think I believe their women are ugly.
I was quick on my feet I said,
"I do not know, there are no women around to say!"
90 percent of my time is looking at men.
What a life. I have better rearrange my travel priorities.
I go to Baghdad on Monday. Only a week more.
I will try to saty one week in Baghdad. Just to be sure that the
Iraqi people are happy to free from Saddam and like the USA.
I am 80 percent sure now, but Baghdad is a different place.
I will then be able to say after one month in Iraq.
CNN and BBC, Aljezeera and all the medias systematically
and premeditatedly positively distort the truth. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 6:42 AM |
|
|
|
| BACK IN ERBEL OR ARBIL OR HOWEVER YOU WANT TO SPELL IT |
|
I went to Mosul to pick up 2 articles and a petition and 5 business cards for available hotels.
The had nothing done in my being gone for 7 days. It is more dangerous each time I return.
People learn me and my patterns.
I was lucky and collect 3 more people that live in Mosul that have email address's and speak
some English. I left, enough of waiting for people. They must meet me half way. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 6:27 AM |
|
|
|
| THE SITUATION IN IRAQ |
|
Hello,
I sit here on the edge of my bed in Mosul.
It is morning and the noise level in the street is rising
slowly and soon there will be thousands of people on this street.
I am in the Duwasa area. That is all I know really. I believe it is
on the Arab side of the river. I am not sure. I am only sure that this
Hotel is safe and the people that live in this Hotel are for the most part
good people. The manager and staff are smilers. They welcome me and are
now my friend.
I sleep well for the most part. I am not going to get up and tell you
a dream or stupid story. I just wake up and it is another day. But I have
returned to Mosul for a reason and I want to accomplish my goal.
I did not sleep well last night. I am worried. I want to somehow tell the
world what I hear and feel is the truth about Iraq and its people. Yes, I do
not know Baghdad, but I do think I know now Kurdistan and Mosul.
Mosul is the second biggest city in the country after Baghdad.
It is a mess. Normal big city crap. Too many cars. Too much noise.
But it is safe and for the most part. Honest. This is strange. I would
expect to have to worry about being robbed. This is the least of my worries.
The place is safe for me.
This is just a big city in the world. The same as any of the cities I have
entered in 7 years of travel. Nothing special. That is not true. These
people are in love with me and my country. The USA.
My worry is that I will not be able to prove this, or say this in a way
that you my readers will believe me. I have a camera, video camera, and computer
to help me record the truths.
I think I know people too well, and I feel helpless. I come up with methods
or stategies on how I will prove this. I think about sitting in the chicken
place downstairs with my friend that speaks English very well. I maybe could
turn on the tape, and let it run for one hour. We would walk into the street
an grab a person. Ask him 2 questions?
What do you think of Saddam?
What do you think of the USA?
My friend could translate when needed.
I know the answers would be 99 percent not liking Saddam and 97 percent liking the USA.
I know those percentages are high, but I would be lying if I said 95.
It would look better or more truthful if I said, 95, but that is not the truth.
These people do not like Saddam.
But I am jaded and sad. I know people too well. I could do anything and they
already have an opinion. It is formed by BBC and CNN. It is just too stupid.
The media is the God. It runs peoples lives and arranges their thoughts.
It make the whole world fight and angry with each other. It takes a sniper
and make a copy. It is the most despicable form of murder possible.
The provoking of controversy for money. To incite people to hate.
So, what can I do. I can try to tell you the truth.
I suppose the bible says, "Let your yes be yes, and your no be no."
This means. I will say that the USA is doing the correct thing in Iraq.
The people here hate Saddam and love the USA.
Why am I having this debate. I come from Indiana. I have a radio media pass
and call up this radio weekly. I feel used and abused. They do not care what I say
and they do not want to search for the truth. I am sick of this. They ask questions
and have an idea of how to say the question so that I can only answer in one way.
They stop me when I start to tell the truth. I do not trust them.
They are not bad people, but they have done this so long, they cannot stop themselves.
They only think of how to make it sound big and grand. The truth is boring.
I have made a decision to stop talking on the radio. They are not trying to help
and I am not helping anyone. Entertaining them maybe. But I do not want to be
the voice that entertains them for 10 minutes every wednesday at 8:35 am.
Last week they did not even remember I was suppose to call.
This make me very angry. Here I am in a city where the 1 percent that does not
like me wants to kill me. They prove it every week. They bombed the UN two days
ago. The kill people like me daily. Well a lot.
The radio station WOWO is so self centered that they cannot remember that I am
going to great effort and cost to do this. I am not paid, and the page proves
that it does not even go up 1 percent in people visiting. I could not prove that
one person has even been on my page or joined the newsletter. It is not even a
good advertisement of my webpage. It is worthless.
I am going to stop talking on the radio. I do not want to be famous, and
this is not doing my goal. To tell the truth.
I am sad and very angry. I wish to make them feel guilty for what they do,
but I know how this work. I am talking to a black hole. No one cares and
no one wants to hear the truth. They want a soap opera. A fantasy of bullshit
that will make them famous. The do not feel any sense of duty to try to tell
the truth. They only want to be famous and cause and talk about controversy.
But I am the prostitute that is helping them. The unpaid correspondent that
they infer they have sent to this country. What bullshit. I go to them
and they know they can manipulate to the way it is presented, and I have not
control. I do have control. I will stop.
I suppose in the end I was talking on the radio to help make my mother happy.
She has had her time. She has gone to the coffee shop and said,
"That is my boy, he is in Iraq."
So I made the most important people in my life a little happy.
My family. There is nothing else in the end. A family and a few friends.
I get frustrated. I have people write me long and asshole letters.
Telling me to not ask for donations. I say, but somehow I have to pay.
They just want me to do this for nothing. No pay. I pay, and they get to feel
happy that they get this guy to give them something for nothing. I have had people
read my newsletter now for 3 years or more. They do not feel that it is worth
1 dollar. That is what I ask and they think I am bad for asking.
What a crock of shit. I give and they take. This is the new world we live in
where everyone takes and feels power by getting something for nothing.
Well I helped you asshole. I gave you something for nothing. You got what
you wanted. I sit here in this hotel. Telling a story of people and me.
You listen and read and pay nothing. Sitting in your safe place while I get
to leave the room knowing that it is possible that a person walk up behind me
today and put a gun a my head and I will have my brains all over the person
in front of me. This is reality. So feel guilty if it happens, and feel
like you sat around and did nothing and got something for nothing.
Because you are the new world. The takers. Generation X, that lives
and dies by a commericial, soap opera, the next BBC and CNN report that tells
you a lie. I am here. In Iraq. They love the USA, and hate Saddam.
That is all I want you to know. How can I get you to listen?
Goodbye WOWO. You suck.
So do you people that read this. You suck.
You are selfish and a taker. You prove it to me everyday.
(Sorry Mom and Dad about the cuss words.)
Oh, I almost forgot I came back to pick up a petition and a couple
of articles that the English scholars were suppose to write. They
was going to get me 5 business cards of good hotels for the next backpacker
that come. They have done nothing. So I so far have come back to Mosul
for nothing. What do you think? They are the same as the rest of the world.
The sit around and complain, but they do not get off their ass either.
They want the USA to save them. 40 percent of me say to let them die.
60 percent says to say stay. The 60 percent is only because it is the right
thing to do, and here is a President of the the USA. Becoming the most
hated man on earth for all of this. A piece of gravel in the middle of nowhere.
I will give them the same advice, I gave the people of Bolvia.
"Start walking and keep walking until you are in a better place."
So, I feel worthless today. I cannot change the world.
All I do is make noise. I will do my best to not get shot today.
I think there is a very small chance. About the same as walking down
the street in the Black section of the city I live at midnight.
Oops...I should say the high crime section. Why do people want me
to lie. The Black section of my city is dangerous. That does not mean
I think or think badly of blacks. It is just the truth. The most dangerous
thing you can do anymore is tell th truth. It gets you nowhere and could
get you killed. So go out and have a fantasy today. That is what you want.
I will try my best to get these Iraq English scholar to stop telling me
who they are and do what they said they was going to do. I gave them 4 extra
days to finish this, and they have had plenty of time. I leave on Saturday.
What they do with their lives is their responsibility. I hope they take
this opportunity. But if not, that is their choice. The tell me they are
men of letter. I am not sure I understand. But if that means they write letter
then I should have the petition and the to letters to publish on my webpage
in my hand. Why does everyone need a prompting. I am me, and I have a life.
I do not want to save them. I want to help them save themselves. I do my
part and they do their part.
Well. You can see I am not in a good mood today.
I am in a country that is hot and dry. Full of crazy people.
Everyone is happy that Saddam is gone, they all love America and
want a free trip there and keep asking me to take them.
The do nothing to help themselves and the same as the USA people do.
The all wait for George W. Buss to save them. I think they all need
to get a life and save themselves. I do not need you. I want you.
I will survive whether you read this or not. I could care less.
I am responsible for me. Plus I like to meet a few women and listen
to good conversation. They keep their women under tents and call it religion.
Get a life. If you call that love you are crazy also.
So today. Life is good. I will go out and do more good things then bad.
You can sit on your butt and surf, while you are suppose to be working.
You are not doing me a favor by reading this.
I will tell you again. I know you are slow.
I am positive.
They hate Saddam and love the USA.
George W. Bush is doing the right thing.
But in the end. The people of the USA are doing the right thing.
Saving these people ass.
|
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 6:23 AM |
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|
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| BAGHDAD ON MONDAY |
| Thursday, August 21, 2003 |
| I have arranged with a business guy in Arbil to go with him on Monday to Baghdad. He has to go for business, and knows the city very well. So a perfect person. It will be a good trip. I think that Peter is coming along, but this morning he was going to go see Farid and come to my hotel. But I met with Farid the minute his shop opened and then left by colective taxi for Mosul. But then again Peter is British. I have not known the traveler types to get up that early... Wake up Pete. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 5:31 AM |
|
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| MOSUL MY FRIEND |
|
I am back in Mosul. It takes time to walk the streets. I must stop and shake hands and say hello to all my friends. It is great.
I will meet up with the English Professors and collect their articles. I am hoping that they can arrange a trip to Tikrit for me with a friend that is a taxi driver. This is a very difficult trip and I need to be extra careful. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 5:16 AM |
|
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| THE RADIO STORY |
| Wednesday, August 20, 2003 |
Hello,
When I first decided to come to Iraq, the only people that were allow to enter were Journalist
and a few other exceptions. So I went and got a media pass. I was helped by a radio station in
Fort Wayne, Indiana called WOWO. It is an AM talk radio. They was very quick to help.
Now I do not get paid anything from them, and do not want paid so the deal is good for me
in a way and for them very good.
So today is wednesday and I am supposed to call them every week at 8:35 AM Fort Wayne, time.
That is 5:35 PM Iraq time and the task is quite daunting. I must come to a city a day ahead.
Make sure the telephone system works. Enter the place and test it in some manner. I ask the
questions such as.. do you know how to call the USA. Now if they know English I may make progress.
If they do not it can be frustrating. Now to time this call to the second is not possible.
Here in Erbel they had 5 clocks on the wall, none of them correct. I hedge my bets and called.
The guy does not care that I want to call at exactly 5:33. I had to holler at him today.
"Try again!"
This is frustrating. I have lots of experience in the idiosyncracies of other cultures.
Sometimes there is a temptation to say the idiocy of other cultures, but let me finish the story.
So I call the Radio Station today.
I have e-mailed multiple times, plus when I was in the USA I called them and talked them
and emailed them also and tried my best to say. This is not a local call.
The one person gave me a 800 number. I said OK and thought.. wow!
Today I called,
They did not know I was calling!
So when I have the temptation to berate the local idiosyncracies or idiocies.
I know we are the same. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 2:50 PM |
|
|
|
| BOMB IN BAGHDAD |
|
I may be on the other side of the planet from a lot of people, but I am still very aware of the current news.
In many ways I am bored for most of the day, and take a break to surf the internet or sit in my 1 star hotel
that is posing as a 4 star hotel and watching CNN. So I get to watch rerun upon rerun of the bombing
of the United Nations in Baghdad and little else. BBC and CNN are the only English stations. So very
hard to not be up on current events.
My opinion is that this is PAID mercenaries by Saddam or the Islamic Jihad crazies.
I do not think they can spend the money after they kill themselves, but their families are happy. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 9:53 AM |
|
|
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| NEWSLETTER PROBLEM |
|
Short of setting up a bed in the Internet Cafe. I am going to have a big problem sending the letter today.
I have 1/2 the information published and just way too many headaches. Plus I am traveler and only like
to be on the internet for a couple of hours a day. It is expensive and hinders travel fun. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 5:29 AM |
|
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|
| PHILOSOPHY OF THORNTREE ON LONELY PLANET |
|
Me and Peter was having a discussion about the Lonely Planet Forum called the Thorntree.
It a place to ask questions, and maybe get answer. In theory it is very good, the problem
is there are people lurking around making comments, and giving advice that is bad.
Sometimes they are business owner that will say something incorrect to sell their Hotel, Tour, or whatever.
This is very annoying to me, and I normally do not use the Thorntree while on the road.
It is just too time consuming and full of misleading advice and also people that are obnoxious.
It ia great idea and works. But could be a huge problem for the novice traveler if you believe
everthing that is said. Me an Peter have been trying to counter some advice that appear to be
a outright lie about the border of Iraq being closed.
As best I can tell. They are all open. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 5:25 AM |
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|
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| MORE INTERNET SLOWNESS |
|
Hello,
If anyone tries to write me and I do not reply quickly, be patient.
The internet has taken a fall in Erbel for the last 2 days.
I have no idea what the problem is...?
I returned here because the internet was good.
Now.. who knows. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 5:15 AM |
|
|
|
| PETER IN ERBIL |
|
The Brit arrived in Erbil.
The perfect traveler for Iraq. Extremely friendly and talkative.
He will talk with anyone. This is needed. A person here need to be the first
to say hello. I have no worries about him. He will do well.
I tried to convince him that he needs to go to Baghdad ahead of me
and blazen a clear cheap trail. He seems to think I should go first.
Therre has been some fun Brit - USA discussions.
I believe in the end we both agree. Both countries are good and bad.
At the same time, but generally trying to be good. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 4:05 AM |
|
|
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| OPTIONS ON GOING TO BAGHDAD. |
| Tuesday, August 19, 2003 |
There are a few ways to go to Baghdad.
1. Bus.
2. Colective Taxi.
3. Private Taxi.
4. Go with friend I would meet in the north, but lives in Baghdad.
5. I suppose I could fly, but not an option.
6. Military Apache Helicopter (In my dreams only)
7. Caravan of Military Hummers.
8. Caravan of UN and Granola for lunch bunch, save the world types.
My choices are only:
1. Bus.
2. Colective Taxi.
3. Private Taxi.
4. Go with friend I would meet in the north, but lives in Baghdad.
The others are too dangerous. Well, not the Apache.
But I am dreaming there.
I will probably opt on the collective Taxi. This is so far the most normal way.
You walk up to "Garage" and say. Baghdad.
A guy sets you up in a taxi that almost full.
You decide on the price, and leave.
THE NOT NORMALCONCEPT
I will try to pay the taxi to take me directly to the next hotel in Baghdad.
I am telling you about a future trip in a week or less or more.
Tikrit is on the way. I would love to stop in Tikrit, but that is an organizational headache.
I may or may not get Tikrit done.
|
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 3:11 AM |
|
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| MY FIRST PERSON THAT DOES NOT LIKE THE USA |
| Monday, August 18, 2003 |
I was so excited to meet this guy I ran right to the internet to publish this in my blog.
There is a guy in my Hotel that does not like the USA and wants to go home.
I have been in Iraq for about 2 weeks, and this is my first person to encounter that does
not like the USA and shows it.
I stopped in the lobby of my Hotel to sit with my friend the owner of Shereen Palace.
He could be manager, but he seems like the owner. He knows about 5 words of English
and I know about 5 words of Kurdish. But we sit together daily and share a Tea.
He is a great guy.
He is a good host and invites people to sit down, shakes their hands and make
them at home. He is about 65 year old is my guess.
Well, I to go and sit down with him. There is a man sitting already with him.
The owner waves his hand in a very small way, but the staff immediately takes
care and brings me a Chi or Tea.
No the guy looks at me hard and says,
"What you do?"
This is good English in this country. Just the minimal number or words.
I say,
"I have webpage."
Then I say,
"Tourist."
He nods his head, and acts like he understands.
I have not had anybody understand the word "Webpage" yet, so
I know he is full of it.
He ask me where I am from, and says,
"Texas."
I say,
"Indiana"
Pointing at an imaginary map in the air.
I point at Chicago and say,
"Chicago."
I point at an imaginary mapy in the air at Detroit.
Lots of Iraq people in Detroit, so they know this place.
I say,
"Detroit."
Then I point in between and say,
"Indiana."
He is nodding his head, and is not the kind of person to admit he does
not understand, and being that I already think him a complete A@#$H24
Why would I care?
He still wants to know what I am doing.
I say,
"Take photos."
To be polite, and being my friend is next to me, and he is talking
wih the gentleman, I figure I should ask him,
"Where from?"
He says,
"Baghdad"
I say,
"I go Baghdad."
He shake his head and says,
"No good"
Then the clincher.
"Because America."
I am thinking... hmmm. Let me describe the guy.
He is like a fat policeman from Mexico that wants a bribe.
Arrogant and obnoxious. Probably has a little...?
But this guy has on the white typical south Iraq dress.
The long type shirt. Now this is not a pretty sight.
He must weigh at least 300 pounds.
Unshaved and red eyes, like his blood pressure is up.
I sit and drink my Tea.
This is a no win situation, so who cares.
He talks with the owner, and says,
"Go back America."
I say,
"Why?"
He stares. I wish the owner could have understood, he would have died
of embarrassment for this mans actions.
I ask him,
"Why Erbil?"
He says,
"Global Oil."
It took about 5 time of making him say this before I was sure I understood.
He works for Global Oil.
I was tempted to say,
"Are you up here to blow up the pipelines?"
But he was a soft target, he has big chip on his shoulder and was fat.
I made him repeat,
"Global Oil"
Let me tell you this. People from Baghdad and Arab are not really welcome
in Kurdistan. The let them come up, but I am sure they watch them closely.
The Arabs and the Kurdish have a long term dispute.
They are uncovering mass graves in Mosul right now of the Kurdish people
that Saddam killed. So this guy was suspect.
Well. I waited around for quite awhile. Just to let him know that...
But I was excited.
There has been no clear opinion, even in Mosul of people that do not
like the USA. This is the first.
There was 2 ex soldiers that said,
"Bush Shoe." But nobody says anything about the USA.
So I met my first.
Well... Global Oil? |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 2:09 PM |
|
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| BRING A FRIEND |
|
I think to do Iraq and the Middle East you should
bring a companion. To me the worst thing about
these countries are not the heat. It the idea that
I have to always talk to men, which only think
about football. (Soccer) I sometimes think that is
the reason I am not keen on going to England.
An oversupply of men talking about football.
|
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 1:47 PM |
|
|
|
| WHY I AM NOT A JOURNALIST. |
|
There are some fine lines in life.
The others are quite clear.
This is easy.
A journalist lies for money.
I tell the truth for nothing.
A good traveler would never steer you in the
wrong direction. This makes it hard to even
say I bridge on being a travel writer.
Maybe the best way to say it is...
I have a group email that is hemorrhaging. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 1:46 PM |
|
|
|
| GRUMPY AND F#$$ YOU |
|
I had two interesting Taxi drivers in the last
week. Upon leaving Erbil for Sulamania the taxi driver
somehow knew the phrase F#$$ YOU.
He started saying this as the taxi left.
When I left, the whole hotel staff came out to
say goodbye, then a group starts to form around the
taxi. So here I am getting into a taxi. The driver
is saying F#$$ YOU and pointing at me, and then saying
F#$$ YOU. Geeesh... please stop.
I hope that no one really understand this and thinks
it is me. He said this the whole way to the "Garage"
as the call the bus or taxi stop. Then we get out
and he starts to tell all the people at the "Garage."
I can say though he did a great job, and helped to
make sure I was safe, and paying the proper price.
GRUMPY
I get to Sulamania. Grumpy is my driver. I start to
say Grumpy please smile, and he just keeps being in
a bad mood. He takes me to the wrong hotel.
Luckily there was a person from Canada, that had
returned to visit his family. He spoke great English
and helped me turn Grumpy around for the right hotel.
He even called the Hotel. They said they was full and
there was no rooms.
I said to just get Grumpy pointed toward the city center.
The minute he got close to a hotel he dropped me off
and then left without a care in the world. The direct
opposite of F#$$ YOU.
I visited a few of the local hotels. Too much for the
type of room. The was 40 Kurdish Dinar rooms, or about
4 dollars. They wanted 100 Dinars so I walked to the
hotel I wanted in the start. Even thought they was
full, they mysteriously found a room when I sat down
and waited. It appears that the Hotels in Iraq are screening
all their residents. They say no, and it becomes yes...
Maybe. If you get no, and it remains no.
Could be a personal problem. |
| posted by Andy HoboTraveler.com @ 1:43 PM |
|
|
|
| HOW DO I KNOW FEAR |
|
I have been thinking.
How do I know if I am afraid?
Good question, but really is not that easy to decide.
I mean there are some clear reasons.
Like I will not go anywhere or do not leave a city.
The next would be too quiet or not smiling.
How about sleeping too much.
I definitely do not panic easily.
I can tell you none of these is me.
Natasha said something about the Male hormones raging
when under stress or fear. I think this may be t | | |
