Oubaidy market seen as gateway to progress in eastern Baghdad

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An Iraqi woman shuffles fish from a basin for passers by to purchase in Oubaidy's market. Soldiers are targeting the trash laden market in hopes of strengthening the historically neglected suburb of the capital.


Oubaidy market seen as gateway to progress in eastern Baghdad
Story by Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
Photos by Ben Bloker, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, March 13, 2009

OUBAIDY, Iraq — Approaching the market in this area of eastern Baghdad, one is nearly overwhelmed by its sights, smells and sounds.

Covered by flies and unrefrigerated, fish for sale lie in the sun.

Residents snake through the crowded narrows between vegetable stands.

Children pester soldiers for watches, pens, chocolate, money or anything else.

Once past the squatters’ stands, the market improves drastically. Things are calmer, cleaner and shaded inside. Merchants in hard-stand storefronts sell spices, scarves, shoes and other sundries. For a moment, it’s not unlike flea markets in some European cities.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=61293