One more wound to be cured

[unhappycamper]

One more wound to be cured
October 20, 2007


According to the Iraqi society, I can call myself a new married man because I didn’t even finish my second year. And that is why my wife’s demands never end. About two weeks ago and while we were watching TV, she said “laith. Do you remember the restaurant we had launch in during our engagement?” I answered her quickly “yes. Its called Filis restaurant. It’s in Mansour neighborhood and I also remember that we had hot drinks in a close café which was so romantic.” Then I added “why do you ask ? and she answered quickly “I like to have launch there, in the same restaurant.”. I laughed loudly and asked her sarcastically “did you live enough and you want to end your life quickly? She was shocked when I talked to her like this and asked “why do u say so?” I told her that the whole area of 14 Ramadan street is dead now and the part of the street where the restaurant lies is not safe at all because its controlled by the insurgents.

I remembered this incident because I had to pass through the same street yesterday. When we I was going back home, I found out that the street I used to use was closed and the taxi driver had to change his route and to go through Mansour neighborhood. When I reached 14 Ramadan Street, I swear I Wished to cry. It was Ghosts Street. 90% of the shops were closed including Filis restaurant.I kept moving my eyes looking for the running children, for the mothers shouts addressing the children and the fathers' instructions to their kids "don't run, be ware, watch your steps". Once upon time,this street was one of the most beautiful and full with life. Families used to start coming to the street from sunset and stay there in the different restaurants and cafes until 2 am. Iraqi families used to spend their nights happily in that sweet street but not anymore. Now and according to a close friend who live in the same neighborhood, people who stay late in the street might be targeted by a sniper or an IED explosion. He told me in a very sad voice “laith, my lovely street died”.

I don’t know who can bring life back to our lovely streets after the failure of both, the US army and the Iraqi Security Forces. I don’t know when I can take my wife again to have a special launch in Filis restaurant again.


Rest of blog at: http://washingtonbureau.typepad.com/iraq/

[Swamp Rat]

1. k&r

:cry: