I was out sick from work today, but in order to not have my pay cut, I needed a doctor's note. Which means that I had to go to the hospital, with whom the school has connections. One of the school drivers, took me to the hospital. We walked right past the Asaish officers, through … Continue reading The Way Things Work
Category: Iraqi Kurdistan
In the bazaar's meat district, there's a little side street that sells live chickens. You order as many as you want, and they slaughter them there for you. You come back 15 minutes later, and they're beheaded, plucked, and trussed for you. I definitely want to order one or two, but until my Kurdish improves … Continue reading Chickens
So, making friends... it's hard. And it's also really, really crucial. Here's why: I'm in a new place, about which I know next to nothing. I don't speak the language. All the friends I've made over the past 22 years are thousands of miles away. I have a bunch of new co-workers with whom I … Continue reading Hi, I’m Rachel. And you are…?
I decided to explore the bazaar on my own today, to brave the stares (single white woman!! *gasp*) and do my own thing. This meant that I had to get 2 cabs on my own, something that people have consistently told me never to do. But today is Friday, which means that everything's a bit … Continue reading Taksi Drivers
I was able to ask a taksi driver, "bachinda?" (how much?), and understand the answer (chwar hizar - 4,000 dinar). I would say that's a successful outing! Other useful taxi phrases: ira = here (ira bash - here's good.) rast = straight cha = four pensch = five (yep, definitely an indo-european language) hizar = … Continue reading New Vocab and Tips
Taxis don't have seat-belts.Kurds are both maniacal and very polite drivers. They'll accelerate super fast, weave in and out of cars, honk with gusto, but also slow waaaay down for speed bumps, and they yield for any car which is trying to merge into their lane.Taxis usually cost about 3,000 - 4,000 dinar (2.5-3ish dollars), but if … Continue reading Factoids
More tidbits about my experience so far: b'ser chao: sure, ok (literally means "on my eye") The main thing I'd heard about Kurds is that they are incredibly friendly. And so far I agree! On my final flight from Istanbul to Sulei, I met a woman about my age named Keshang, who within minutes offered … Continue reading More Photos & Tidbits
*Disclaimer - This post has some mild(ish) swearing, especially as this author is writing through some pretty nasty jet-lag* I made it - I'm in Suleimaniah! As I'm severely sleep-deprived, I'm not sure the totality of my situation has hit me, and so things are seeming quite surreal. But despite my jet-lag, moments crash through … Continue reading I’m HERE!
In Mutual Weirdness 