I never thought I would go to Iraq.
The Middle East has always fascinated me – its history and its culture. I remember learning about the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers – the cradle of civilization – when I was at school. I’ve been to other parts of this region before, but the troubled and tragic recent history of Iraq seemed to put it out of my reach.
But I have spent the past week in Erbil – the main city of the Kurdish region of northern Iraq – and I had a wonderful time.
I warn you – there are a lot of photos in this blog – but I really wanted to share this experience with you.
This was a work trip, of course – but wasn’t going to let that stop me exploring this fascinating place.
It’s not all desert here – but it is pretty dry and dusty… and so warm compared to the terribly cold spell hitting the UK right now.
The Kurdish people have been scattered and their traditional homeland divided up among neighbouring countries – but here in Kurdistan they are working to regain their national identity. They have a national flag and a national language – their independence and culture are very important to them.
I have seldom been made more welcome in any country. In fact, a taxi driver refused to allow me to pay him for taking me to view the ancient citadel in the oldest part of the city. He said I was a guest and refused my money. That has never happened to me any other place I’ve visited.
As for the citadel – it is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world – something like 6,000 years.
It’s been badly damaged by wars, and by weather as well as time – but a project is now underway to restore it.
It is an impressive walled city on an oval mound that rises above the plain where the modern city is steadily growing.
Because of the restoration, I was limited in what I could visit – but what I did see was fabulous.
From there I went to the Grand Mosque – which was a glorious site as night fell.
I expected only to see the mosque from the outside, but as soon as the prayers were finished, I was invited inside to visit this spectacular example of Islamic architecture.
All they asked was that I remove my shoes, cover my head and show respect for their place of worship – something I was more than happy to do.
I cannot describe how lovely it was.
I was told to go ahead and take photographs – but my poor skills as a photographer just cannot do justice to the beauty that was all around me.
After the mosque, it was on to a nearby park where a cultural festival was being held…
I was thrilled by the park entrance –a path under a canopy of umbrellas lit by fairy lights.
After music and dancing to celebrate the New Year, it was on to dinner.
The food in the Arab world is wonderful… Here’s what I have been eating this week.
Of course, I shopped too… exploring the maze of narrow lanes in the marketplace of the old city… where several centuries of design and manufacture can be found on a single shelf.
It’s been a good week – thank you to my new Kurdish friends for your hospitality. I hope I can come back again.
