"They will beat their swords into plowshares..."

Last week I had the opportunity to visit the prison grounds where Saddam Hussein's army was responsible for the torture, rape, and murder of tens of thousands of Kurds.

Its one of those places that has so much shock and horror attached to it that its surreal. Tanks and machine guns scattered around the campus are left out for the public to observe, climb on, enjoy. Its so easy to talk about the facts that happened there without any understanding of what those people actually went through.


I'm not even going to try.

A glimpse of Kurdistan.

Make sure to click this image (and then click it again!) to view it full size!

Dreaming of Rabbits

I recently got to know the neighborhood kids--what a way to make friends! It may sound silly but they're so welcoming and fun, so eager to show me the games they play and the things they like to do.

"I love you very mush"

A nurse about my age, eager to practice her English, jotted her cell phone number in my notebook along with a short message: "I love you very mush".

Its officially the phrase of this trip.

A day at the hospital...

The last 48 hours I've been mostly in and around the hospital. My biggest takeaway at this moment is the relationship I've started to construct with the mother's here. I've been covering and dressing like them and its made a bigger impact than I could image. And for me-- wonderfully simple lessons in respecting culture and custom.



I could say so much about how the women love when I wear a hijab, and I will, but right now I'll just show some pictures...


First off--tell me this picture doesn't make you smile:

Another cute boy...

A few things you'll always see:



Some kids just don't want to have their chest cut open...

Two mothers shared their packed lunch with me. They have all been so, so generous and kind to me.

Its been amazing listening to medical professionals address these issues and work so tirelessly on saving kids' lives.

Every mother/child is so unique and I've loved being trusted to photograph them.


Thanks!
Lydia

Ur, City of Abraham (and a picnic!)

Today was an off day so we decided to go "sightseeing". Sightseeing is very different when everything is from...2000 BC.

We piled into vans and created a convoy with Ford trucks guarding us on both sides. Really weird.


(our escorts)




Iraq is very salty!

This next picture are tents of nomads....so amazing. I wish I could get closer but they stay pretty far back from the road.

This country is inhabited by the most beautiful children.



and a boat ride and a picnic (on the Euphrates!):



Oh, and me and Mr. Alex:


I am so blessed to be in such a beautiful country with such beautiful people. So many more things I could say and post, but I'll leave it at this for now. Thank you for the continued support!

The Marketplace

If you read my blog last summer you've probably been expecting a post just like this one. I LOVE going through the marketplace here in Suly. The bazarre is endless. You can buy anything and everything from figs to bunny rabbits to hard drives to tennis shoes to diamond rings. Its amazing. So here's a lengthy set of fresh pictures to guide you through, enjoy!!












-Lydia