2009/03/18 New York
Out of the question
Customers
Friday March 6, around 2 PM: The only Chinese restaurant in the Red Zone of Baghdad is filled with customers.
The owner (and chef ) is a Chinese man who speaks some Arabic. The food is decent for Iraqi standards.
Booze is out of the question. A very religious restaurant is located opposite the Chinese restaurant.
12 comments
Do they serve alcohol-free beer?
@Sandy
You probably know there is even alcohol free perfume (from Saudi Arabia, Egypt,…).
Sandy
There are plenty of places in Baghdad where you can get booze.
I would try the coffee from that big coffeemachine on the picture.
Ah, but actually I was wondering about this place in particular. Nothing beats a cold beer with chinese food.
Sandy
After eating kebab for more than a week beer is not of the essence.
Request
Arnon, can you please post a few entries about or taking place in New York again soon?
Eva
Why if I may ask?
Arnon
Because I feel like posting a comment on this blog again but unfortunately I can't disagree with your Iraq-entries.
More in general: variation in topics is one of the strengths of this blog.
Eva
Why is it impossible for you to disagree with my entries about Iraq? Because I’m always right about Iraq, or because you don’t know much about Iraq?
Is it titillating to disagree with me?
Arnon
I don't know much about Iraq. It doesn't help that I often skip the articles about Iraq in the paper. Lack of knowledge about the facts doesn't necessarily always prevent me from having an opinion though, or agreeing or disagreeing with someone. So in this case we shouldn't exclude the possibility that you are usually right about Iraq. (although what I have read from your Iraq-pieces is more literal description of your experiences than opinion-piece. But as we have seen with your Israel-reporting: such descriptions can leave more or less room for (dis)agreement)
I also don't know the exact meaning of the word titillating. That won't prevent me from answering your last question with: yes, absolutely.
tit·il·late
tit·il·late (ttl-t)
v. tit·il·lat·ed, tit·il·lat·ing, tit·il·lates
v.tr.
1. To stimulate by touching lightly; tickle.
2. To excite (another) pleasurably, superficially or erotically.
v.intr.
To excite another, especially in a superficial, pleasurable manner: