Iraq and Kurdistan

So it has been a while and maybe you wondered what I was up to. After leaving Central African Republic, I returned to Cyprus for some well earned rest, a little sailing and swimming and readjustment to a peaceful routine. I realised I had forgotten how to cook for myself, so became well acquainted with the indian and seafood restaurants and local tavernas. My wine palate took some rehabilitation but I put in a lot of practice and gained 10 kgs.

However, I missed the humanitarian work and eventually found myself a cracking job in some place called Erbil. After checking wiki for average temperatures, I accepted the job and set off with my bikini, a couple of jumpers and some tee shirts. Sadly, although Erbil is south of Cyprus and north of Dubai, the climate is more like the Outer Hebrides. So a bit of a shock!







Anyway, Kurdistan is quite different from Iraq and nowhere near as much of a culture shock as I expected. I share a house in the Christian part of Erbil so no need for headscarves and alcohol is freely available. Yippee.
I found a few Christmas shops, see above and celebrated Christmas in Erbil, with a proper cooked Christmas dinner, thanks to some great colleagues.

I am working in distributions in areas recently recovered from ISIS some 75 kms from Erbil. I have been to the camps where there are displaced people, who have fled from the fighting and I am also working in towns. The people are incredibly hospitable and good to work with.
Also resilient and creative.Below is a gas powered bread maker which makes better bread than I do.



So you ask me, what are the shops like? Well, you can buy most things fresh. Lamb chops are particularly fresh, see below. Not sure the sheep in the picture has figured out his future!




So this is the team at work. Not the best ever picture, but distributing money in a half built house surrounded by a high wall to needy and vulnerable people.



The bridge in Qayyarrah was bombed by ISIS, see the gap in the middle of the bridge. Then as it was being repaired, the Americans sent another bomb to stop ISIS from using in during the period that they controlled the city. You may be able to see the repair truck that was caught in the middle. Pleased I wasn't the driver.




When ISIS fled, they set fire to the oil fields in this area, which are still burning now. The town is permanently covered by thick black smoke as no-one has put out the fires yet. The sheep are all black except for the little white lambs. These are two of my colleagues after a day in the field




A friend came to see me so I thought we should make the most of the opportunity to see the glorious Korek mountain at its best. In the summer, the Kurdish people travel north to the mountains where it is beautiful and cooler. I know, i'm already cold and I travel to where it's even colder. Anyway, we drove a couple of hours through spectacular scenery, pushed to the front of the cable car queue (it's obligatory over here) and went to the top of the mountain with my borrowed gloves and hat and all my jumpers. It was absolutely lovely and the accommodation had 3 types of heating - all on maximum of course. Well worth the trip and I will be going again in the summer, with my bikini of course.

 Having received a significant amount of safety training in my new career, I am always on the look out for potential dangers. Dodging snow falls and icicles off roofs is a new risk I had not expected.

Snow Angels in Iraq - who would have thought?

There was time for a spot of culture after the mountain trip. In the centre of Erbil, is an amazing citadel. Huge and in great restoration shape. Our super sweet taxi driver's dad owned the textile museum in the citadel, so we had a personalised tour and nearly had to buy a rug. These are traditional caps worn by different tribes in Kurdistan. For those of you who know of Ken Dodd, he would have a field day
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So what's the food like you ask? Well, put simply. great. Lots of sheep and chicken, vegetables, nuts, dates, fruit, Lebanese, Turkish, Cypriot type food and fairly healthy. If you have a sweet tooth, I suspect you would be in heaven - see below.

Erbil Citadel and the bazaar- impressive hey?

Lastly, me after a very long day in the field but things are looking up, only a 4 jumper day and the sun is coming.

So that's all from me for now. I am a bit limited with photos as there are military personnel and checkpoints everywhere and they are not over keen on me taking pictures.
Would love to hear from you all and why not come over for a visit. It is actually great here.