Yesterday's day at the park was loud with the 100 plus kids screaming the entire time while competing in egg toss, eating and singing contests (the boys voices were exquisite as they sang traditional Kurdish songs), balloon blowing, and other games. I spent part of the time with Aro who is 6, on my lap. He is one of the students who constantly wanders out of his seat during class. Aro, my nemesis! Another boy gave me a lovely yellow canna lily and I was so embarrassed that I couldn't really recall him among so many kids in our classes. They were very sweet.
We had a picnic on the mountain above the city at sunset; my first time "out" of Sulimani. I see poverty for the first time as well. The van climbed up the mountain for a 20 minute ride and it was nice to be on the range that I have spent the last 5 weeks looking at from down below. Sirwan, Banaz, Michelle, AJ, Micca and I had our last evening together. The crescent moon turned orange as the sky darkened into twilight. We stopped by the side of the road and pulled out chairs and a table and ate fruit, olives, nuts, and salad, all very delicious. We were perched on a narrow ledge where the mountainside plunged straight down below us. As stars came out the city lights brightened, stretching down the entire valley. It had been a hazy day and the top of the mountain range to the north (I forget the name) was obscured. It was soon dark and the warm (nearly hot) night wind blew across my face and I felt like a stranger in a strange land. I found myself wondering what it will be like, being under the stars in Rafah, with new company. It was a comforting thought as I sat, feeling outside the current conversation going on. It was so nice to be outdoors and out of the city.
The heat continues to be intense, the nights loud with the build up of the elections. I last reported that there were two parties but it is three; the PUK with Talibani, the KRG with Barzani, and the Reform party with Mousavin. People have commented that the youth are out in full force during these street "demonstrations", maybe acting on concern over the issues and future, maybe looking for excitement. Al Jezeera reports an increase in violence across the country as the June 30th date approaches when the US military moves off the streets and into the bases. Who will take their place? The Nation reports on a group called Iraqi Special Operations Force, armed and trained by the Green Berets. Taken as boys a few years ago, they will be accountable to a small branch of the US military, the latest installment of death squads. Heaven help us, when will this ever end?
Until my next destination, I will write again. I am trembling about the situations of the poor people of the world.
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