The beginning of a two weeks stay in Iraq

Yesterday I packed my bags to be my mother’s companion for two weeks. Our destination is another twighlight zone, so different from where I live right now and only known from what you see on the news. We started our journey to Iraq where we will be staying for two weeks.

Fate provided us with the same border, making it easier for Cupid to aim his bow, thus we share our families. We will be staying each day in a different place. Right now I am writing this post in bed with my i-phone.
There was some strange aura that I felt the moment I entered the country, everything became strange and unfamiliar. Whenever I find myself in a traffic I feel tense. Then I remembered that media is a business, they show what attracts reviewers, an explosion is a sure hit. I relaxed a bit, but the road seemed endless, it took us 2 and a half hour to reach to the city of my origin, where my father started as a farmer, who’s now one of Kuwait’s top engineers.
At the borders of the province I read two lines. The first was roughly translated (respect and you will be respected). The second meant (abandon your hatred before you enter). I felt at peace.
It was filled with people who only offer the little they have, with hearts as big as a recently born baby. A taxi driver refused to take money when he found out that I was a guest in their province.
The place was at a cliff hang from civilization, electricity was a major problem, they come and go. They stay longer in winters because they do not use air conditioning during that season, thus less load. Our family have backup generators just in case.
In my first day I went to a funeral of a friend of the family members, at night we visited a woman who gave birth to a beautiful girl. Everyone here shares almost every event, they come together in sadness to support the sad, and they celebrate when life arrives, it was a beautiful community, one I’m proud to belong to.
They know who I am and they call me mawlaye, which means my lord. It makes me uncomfortable, but they insist on doing so, not because I’m a guest, but because of my bloodline.
Yesterday I spent my night at my aunt’s house, today I’m in a hotel with my brother who just joined me from Qatar. He snores… 🙂
I will be sharing more soon. I’m waiting for my permit from the governor so I can go visit Ur’s ruin… I heard it’s epic, it is older than 7000 years. Abraham was there. I think the pope will be visiting but they haven’t set a date yet.

Goodnight everyone and I hope to see you tomorrow.

~ A. H. Amin

That’s me next to the Euphrates River

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