I've totally finished preparing my classroom. Totally. The boards are ready, the desks labelled, the books sorted, the chairs and desks counted. Whew. That seriously took 3 days to do. Maybe 4. What day is it, again? Words for today: khuzj: hair khuzi lula: curly hair maez: table kursi: chair pAHnka: ceiling fan bashtirr: better … Continue reading My Classroom
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 cannot express in words how truly delicious homemade kuba is. Kuba is meat encased in a fried rice-paste mixture. Kurdish kuba is made in dumpling form (and Kurds are very proud of their kuba dumplings). Arabic kuba is made like a quesadilla, with the meat in between two "tortillas" made from rice paste. Nowras … Continue reading Kuba
I got my immigration card today - finally! It's only valid for 2 months, though - the next time I'll have to give blood, and they'll hopefully issue me a year-long visa. The asaish, the "secret police" which are akin to the FBI, have children at our school and so the school director hopes they … Continue reading A dash of history, culture, language
More talking, talking, talking. More annoying bureaucracy and busywork. But, in between the lectures, I'm gleaned more info about Kurdistan: 1) There's a waterfall in the north called Aḥmedawa. Also, this is Beikhal waterfall: Now how is this not the coolest waterfall you've ever seen?!?! 2) There's a mountain called Guajza north of Sulay where … Continue reading More Gleaned Info
I started decorating my classroom today! The best part of decorating was meeting the children trickling into the school. They need to purchase their uniforms before class begins next week, and so as I was creating this sea-scape, they were running around the primary school building. I met three little ones, Ara, Ana, and Nazi. … Continue reading Little Kurds, and Kurdish Gifts
On my run this morning through the compound, I saw: 2 feral dogs 3 scrawny cows grazing by the sidewalk 2 armed guards 6 Prados
In Mutual Weirdness 