life goes on
I've spent the past two days in the house, which is maybe not so good but also not especially bad either. We had a meeting on Tuesday that lasted basically the whole day, and no pressing business yesterday or the day after. Plus I was tired. Plus the weather changed, and now we have autumn-grey skies and wind and rain.
Here is an essay one of my colleagues wrote, observing how things have changed and haven't changed in Iraq - Life Goes on in Iraqi Kurdistan - Living with Fear and Uncertainty:
"Men and women still go to work, ride the buses, walk the streets going to the corner grocery shop or bakery, and go on picnics at beautiful waterfalls in the mountains. Each day they help out their neighbors, and love their families. With friends, they still sit around on mats on the floor, enjoying Kurdish traditional foods. They also donate material goods for those fleeing their homes, remembering that not so long ago, their families were among those terrorized and seeking refuge."
And here is another essay, by another new colleague in his first month on team in Kurdistan - Reflections on 9/11 - Planting Shade Trees:
"The meaning of September 11, 2001 changed for me when I met people who grew up in Manhattan and remembered the shadows of the planes, the ground shaking, the dust, and the funerals. Today, my understanding changed once again, meeting people still living in the nightmare created by the US reenacting the trauma of 9/11 around the world."
I think I'll just leave you with that.
Here is an essay one of my colleagues wrote, observing how things have changed and haven't changed in Iraq - Life Goes on in Iraqi Kurdistan - Living with Fear and Uncertainty:
"Men and women still go to work, ride the buses, walk the streets going to the corner grocery shop or bakery, and go on picnics at beautiful waterfalls in the mountains. Each day they help out their neighbors, and love their families. With friends, they still sit around on mats on the floor, enjoying Kurdish traditional foods. They also donate material goods for those fleeing their homes, remembering that not so long ago, their families were among those terrorized and seeking refuge."
And here is another essay, by another new colleague in his first month on team in Kurdistan - Reflections on 9/11 - Planting Shade Trees:
"The meaning of September 11, 2001 changed for me when I met people who grew up in Manhattan and remembered the shadows of the planes, the ground shaking, the dust, and the funerals. Today, my understanding changed once again, meeting people still living in the nightmare created by the US reenacting the trauma of 9/11 around the world."
I think I'll just leave you with that.