Doing Good Things & Traveling in Style

Several memorable trips this week.  One to a farm where we assisted a local cooperative build some water pumps for irrigation and purchase some sheep for widows to raise.  We took a Veterinarian with us who conducted training for the women.  I heard the training went well but all the men had to leave the room during that portion of the visit.  Discussions of breeding and birthing sheep being too sensitive a topic for proper ladies to discuss in front of men folk. 

Afterward the co-op served us a wonderful traditional Iraqi meal of lamb, chicken & rice with fresh vegetables.  It is Ramadan and a time of fasting for many Muslims so we were afraid that eating might insult them but many of them weren't fasting and joined us.  The Iraqi way of dining is buffet style with everyone standing around the table.  Leafs of flat bread are stacked around the table.  Everyone just digs in with their hands and uses the flat bread for sandwiches.  It is messy but delicious!

Another visit was to a university where we had helped build a library and donated books.  They have students studying US history but have few books in Arabic or English on the topic.  Most of the students read English but it does make it more difficult. 

The second trip was made nicer because of the comfort of the ride there and back.  Usually when we travel overland we are in military Humvees.  If you have ever been in a Humvee you know that there is not much room and they are not built for comfort.  Also, although they have AC there is a big hole in the roof for the gun turret.  When its 120 outside its pretty much that temp inside.  Two hours crammed in a hot metal box is no fun, trust me.

For the trip to the University the RSO from the Embassy provided transport and security.  This means nice, clean, up armored Suburbans with big comfy seats.  They also have a nice quiet ride so you can have a conversation with the people around you.  Nice!