There isn't a war up here in Iraqi Kurdistan, even though Sulaimaniyah is just 160 miles northeast of Baghdad. Still, you have to adjust to the fact that there isn't a whole lot of electricity: It's about two hours per day now in Kurdistan. That's the big issue in the north: electricity. It's the main topic of conversation among disgruntled Iraqi Kurds, who say if they're going to have a functional society and economy in the "modern" world, they need the lights turned on.
Rain is plentiful here, but there isn't always a whole lot of water coming out of the pipes. It's fed to residents about once every two days, which makes water a secondary problem to electricity – unless maybe you're outside of the main cities. In many areas the infrastructure is so poor that people must buy water just to wash and nurture their bodies every day. And then there's the fuel shortage, which is always fun in a place where the number of car owners is growing and only gas stoves are available. Without electricity, kerosene is also essential to run the private generators that roar late into the night and to heat up stoves to stay warm in winter.
Ah, Iraqi Kurdistan. Foreigners who visit the northern region frequently describe it as "peaceful" and "flourishing." At least they get part of the story right.
To be fair, most are coming up from Baghdad and are overjoyed to be in a place where they can go out on the street and not be shot or kidnapped; they can actually work here. Same goes for the Arab Iraqis who have fled here. And frankly, so am I.
3 comments:
I love your blog. I hope you write more from the Iraqi Kurdistan, people need to know what is going on there too.
i second that. thrilled to see you online and writing. i am looking very much to the articles and insight. much love and miss you.
Wendy forwarded your site. It's good to hear the story about things in Iraq from a source I trust. Keep up the great work! I look forward to all the updates. Stay safe!
Susan H.
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