Hopefull

That's how this looks.
In my imagination the conversation was about children, growing up, the milder regime, and the use of umbrella's in Holland. Lovely pic.

What stricks me, is that the women are not veiled. Do they present the majority. What is their background. Soennite ? Mandëists?

Mieke

This is a Christian, family but you will be able to find Muslim women without headscarves in Baghdad. Just go to this entry for example: http://www.arnongrunberg.com/blog/957-in-the-red-zone

Antwerp Zoo

What a coincidence!
The beautiful weather today urged me to go to the Antwerp Zoo. First, I bought "Kamermeisjes & Soldaten". On a bench in the sun beside the flamingos I sat down to read. Only since this week I have Internet in my new apartment. I missed visiting this blog, but that's going to change! It seems that from the Antwerp zoo to Baghdad Zoo is just a small step.

your life seems so full, ... you're always busy!
is there sometimes a day you do nothing at all?
what kind of animals do the show at bhagdad zoo?
how much longer are you staying in iraq? and what is the following project?
greetings : )

Arnon

Travelling in Irak, do you now understand why some people have a crush on Arabs?

Batta

You should try the mandëist Iraqi's. They are just delightfull.

Batta

I'm still waiting to meet the first person here who identifies as Arab.
Your rhetorical question is distasteful.

the girls are so charming...

Arnon

How have people you met identified themselves?
(And what's with the bitterness? I was referring to an old conversation, or did you forget?)

Batta

There's no bitterness. I believe I was helping you a bit. People identify as Sunni, Shia, Christian, Iraqi, Baghdadi, lawyer, pharmacist etcetera.

Arnon

Helping me with what exactly?

Mieke

Thanks for the advice, I will keep that in mind. I currently have a crush on a waiter in a Yemeni restaurant. I go there everyday now, to eat 1/2 chicken. Everything taken together I have eaten 3 chickens during the past week. It's the only dish they serve...

Batta

They are very rare. There are only 50 000 of them left around in the world, but I'm lucky to have one in my class.

Batta

If you like to identify as Arab lover as other people identify as let’s say cat lovers, fine, but there’s no reason to flaunt your ignorance in public.

Arnon

Grant Batta some time. I used to have a crush on Jewish men and I too grew out of it.

Mieke

This is almost historical news! What kind of man have the honour these days?

yes, lets be picky.

my choice would be a son of a Jewess and a Greek, brought up in England, currently livinng in Paris, practising buddhism.

Andrea

Why the buddism?

david

they dont tend to be dramatic.
I have very low tolerance for drama in men.

Andrea

But Greeks (and half-Greeks) can act very dramatic. Jews, even Buddhism can't change that.

david

as far as he would not act like a lady during her period, its cool.

Andrea

They hate blood.

david

he would be a vampire as well.

Andrea

Thats very dificult, maybe a half Japanese, half English man?

david

it no, I am really satisfied about my choice, it has taken me a lot of time to figure out.

Andrea

I am very happy for you.

David

I now have a crush on Jewish women.

Arnon

You never used to mind me flaunting my ignorance. In fact, I think it used to amuse you a bit.
(Again) Helping me with what exactly?

Batta

Everything I do is meant to help you.

Mieke

You know there's an old woman inside me.

Andrea

Regarding: drama.
You need all the attention don't you?

Arnon

It is meant to help me with what?

Batta

You are capable of answering this question yourself.

arnon

yes, cannot help it.

Arnon

I am interested to know in what area you believe I need help.
Is there any area in which you, yourself, need help at the moment?

Batta

Do you look upon your interest in Arab men as a form of Orïentalism -with its connotation of Romanticism- or do you consider it more to be a form of Oriental study?

Arnon

I know one. Enchanting man, intelligent, reliable with a great sense of humour. Speaks fluent dutch.