Baghdad Burning
On Monday, October 13, 2003, Riverbend wrote a post about date palms. “A palm tree is known as a “nakhla” and never fails to bring a sense of satisfaction and admiration” (Riverbend, 103). The palm trees are beautiful and also very useful. They serve as resorts for various birds during the winter time and provide them plenty of their 300 different types of dates. Dates are used to make an alcoholic beverage, a dark, smooth syrup for rice and bread, as well as other seasonings for food. The leaves of the trees are used to make baskets, brooms, mats, bags, hats, wall hangings and it can be used for roofing. Riverbend says she enjoys using the roots of the dates as beads. Tea is also very important to Iraqis. Tea is not as easy to make as we Americans might think. “If you serve “teabag tea” to an Iraqi, you risk scorn and disdain—a teabag is an insult to tea connoisseurs” (Riverbend, 108). There are hundreds of different types of tea and the best types are from Ceylon. People drink tea at all times of the day and with all meals. Tea in Iraq is special because its flavored with cardamom and served in istikans which are small glasses shaped like the number eight. So most gatherings are usually accompanied with a nice glass of tea.
Showing posts with label Riverbend. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Riverbend. Show all posts
Friday, November 16, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
HW33: Alive in Iraq
“Iraqi Teens Work to Help Their Families”
On October 15, 2007, Alive in Baghdad posted a podcast entitled, “Iraqi Teens Work to Help Their Families.” It showed interviews of young teenagers who have been working since their child hood to help support their families needs. Children were working on furniture, and expressing their own opinions as to the terrorism and bombings of the Americans. These children are scared. One boy by the name of Mustafa Malek fathullah Ali was only 14 years old and putting hard labor in everyday by painting furniture. He also knows how to make doors, sofas, and bedrooms. He said that the security situation is very hard and nobody can protect themselves. He also states that there is no peace in Iraq and he asks neighboring countries to look out for them, stop bombing, and stop sending terrorists. By viewing this podcast and listening to the words of the boys, we can learn that life for them is difficult and they do not have the freedom of the American children. Their families need them for financial support and they understand their importance. It would be very hard to picture an image like this in America as no parent wants to put their child through this challenging lifestyle.
On October 15, 2007, Alive in Baghdad posted a podcast entitled, “Iraqi Teens Work to Help Their Families.” It showed interviews of young teenagers who have been working since their child hood to help support their families needs. Children were working on furniture, and expressing their own opinions as to the terrorism and bombings of the Americans. These children are scared. One boy by the name of Mustafa Malek fathullah Ali was only 14 years old and putting hard labor in everyday by painting furniture. He also knows how to make doors, sofas, and bedrooms. He said that the security situation is very hard and nobody can protect themselves. He also states that there is no peace in Iraq and he asks neighboring countries to look out for them, stop bombing, and stop sending terrorists. By viewing this podcast and listening to the words of the boys, we can learn that life for them is difficult and they do not have the freedom of the American children. Their families need them for financial support and they understand their importance. It would be very hard to picture an image like this in America as no parent wants to put their child through this challenging lifestyle.
HW32: Shopping for School Supplies
Baghdad Burning (94-96)
On October 5, 2003, Riverbend wrote a post in her blog on the issue of school supplies. Riverbend went shopping with her cousin and his wife and her brother to get school supplies for his daughters. Every year his wife takes the girls shopping for pens, pencils, and notebooks but since the war they have not been allowed out of the house. The girls instead went to a relatives house while the others went to a stationary shop to purchase the girls supplies. Riverbend helped to pick out some Barbie and Winnie the Pooh notebooks as well as strawberry scented erasers even though the kids had never tasted strawberries. Back at home the girls waited impatiently and immediately grabbed the bags from their mothers hands. The older girl was very pleased with her supplies but the other claimed she was too old for Winnie the Pooh and wanted a Barbie copybook instead.
On October 5, 2003, Riverbend wrote a post in her blog on the issue of school supplies. Riverbend went shopping with her cousin and his wife and her brother to get school supplies for his daughters. Every year his wife takes the girls shopping for pens, pencils, and notebooks but since the war they have not been allowed out of the house. The girls instead went to a relatives house while the others went to a stationary shop to purchase the girls supplies. Riverbend helped to pick out some Barbie and Winnie the Pooh notebooks as well as strawberry scented erasers even though the kids had never tasted strawberries. Back at home the girls waited impatiently and immediately grabbed the bags from their mothers hands. The older girl was very pleased with her supplies but the other claimed she was too old for Winnie the Pooh and wanted a Barbie copybook instead.
Monday, October 29, 2007
HW 25: Foreword/Introduction
Baghdad Burning
The Foreword states that the book brings as close a possible to the war in Iraq. “close means right inside the heart and mind of a young Baghdadi women as she lives through the war” (Riverbend Vii). She writes of humanity in her blog that even shows sympathy for the invading troops as they suffer from the hot sun day after day. Included is also a fair amount of politics. The introduction states how lucky we are to have this blog thanks to the fact that Riverbend writes in excellent English. Iraq has experienced some devastating wars in the past such as the Gulf War where several thousands of soldiers and civilians were killed. The war also created disease that killed thousands of more people. Wars here were usually fought over oil because it is a natural resource that most countries lack in supply. The introduction then goes on to talk about her views of the war in 2003. At the time of the war i still considered myself as being to young to understand. From the talk of my family and friends around me as well as various news reports it seemed as if war may have been our only option. Now that it has occurred many regret the decision and it appears to me that our country hasn't received much good out of the attack.
The Foreword states that the book brings as close a possible to the war in Iraq. “close means right inside the heart and mind of a young Baghdadi women as she lives through the war” (Riverbend Vii). She writes of humanity in her blog that even shows sympathy for the invading troops as they suffer from the hot sun day after day. Included is also a fair amount of politics. The introduction states how lucky we are to have this blog thanks to the fact that Riverbend writes in excellent English. Iraq has experienced some devastating wars in the past such as the Gulf War where several thousands of soldiers and civilians were killed. The war also created disease that killed thousands of more people. Wars here were usually fought over oil because it is a natural resource that most countries lack in supply. The introduction then goes on to talk about her views of the war in 2003. At the time of the war i still considered myself as being to young to understand. From the talk of my family and friends around me as well as various news reports it seemed as if war may have been our only option. Now that it has occurred many regret the decision and it appears to me that our country hasn't received much good out of the attack.
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