Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Hi... I'm here!

On Friday 20th of September at 08:45 pm I arrived to Baghdad after staying for a year in Damascus. Lots of ideas, expectations and predictions I had formed about Baghdad all the way long. Of course, many of you (blog-mates) are accusing me by being suicidal or lunatic to head back to Iraq during these critical days. But I had explained that to some friends and I'm gonna explain it to you again. I couldn't finish my study abroad because I can't afford the costs of the scholarship there… and that part stinks.. I know!Another reason that I wasn't pleased with the unfriendly...... Let's not talk about that.
Anyway, it was a dark night when I got to Baghdad; the power was out in most of the neighborhoods. When we got down from the bus, I hurried to the luggage box to take away our bags. Later, I hired a Taxi and then zoooooooooooooooooom back home.During my ride back home, I received an SMS from Melantry telling me that she was going to call me in few minutes. Of course she knew that it is insecure if I was outside to pick up and chat along in English, therefore, I had to reject the call. But later when I got home, mel called me again and this time it was Caesar there to answer!
I live in a neighborhood was considered till a recent while as the headquarter of the Al-Qaida militants in the capital. People here told me that they had lived their worst days during those months I had spent abroad. Many (Shiite) people were compulsorily displaced, others were killed, and others were frightened to death trying helplessly to survive.In result of the forcibly mass departure, some (Sunni) people who were displaced from other neighborhoods had to inhabit those desolated houses. Anyway, as a result of the "Baghdad security plan" many of Al-Qaida members are in custody, some are killed, and others had to runaway to other unsteady areas. Thus, the situation now is relatively safer than before. Some fellas told me that couple of days before my arrival, the Iraqi police accompanied by the US forces had found a dead body in a blank pitch just behind my house. Spooky, eh?
I had a walk along through my neighborhood to check the aftermath of those terrible events, and I found some houses were partly or completely ruined. There were also giant stacks of concrete blocking the main entrances of my neighborhood, therefore, there is one way (in and out) as both entrance and exit. They were hard months on those people of Baghdad. However, there is still a bright side…By time, with the appliance of "Baghdad security plan" and formation of councils of Sahwa (= Awakening) and alliance of the free good individuals of this country, security and stability are being restored to the capital step by step. Now the violence levels in Iraq has come to its lowest degrees and , in sha Allah, security will continue and get better over time. Now people are going regularly to their workplaces, colleges, schools, markets, etc. Some families are taking their kids in Eids and weekends to "Al Zawraa Park" which is a famous park (Zoo + playing field) in Baghdad. It's improving slowly and gradually here. When I first got to college, I was worried of that the recent event might affect some fellas *** as I was affected to an a certain level by the media. But thanks god, none of this is real. I'm enjoying the college with my friends whether they were Sunnis or Shiites.
Finally, I'm so sorry for that long absence. But I'd like to defend myself and say that I was busy like hell in the recent while, besides, I have no internet connection at home. I may get Internet service soonish. I promise to keep updating my blog. And lemme say: Happy Eid and Christmas and so.

17 comments:

Don Cox said...

Good to see you posting again, and thanks for the first hand report on conditions in your part of Baghdad. Let's hope the worst is really over. I'm sure the Al Qaeda types will come back if they can, as they are trying to do in Algeria. But at least now people are prepared. ______ Hope your studies go well.

Caesar of Pentra said...

thanks alot, don!

L.O.U. said...

Hi. It's Proshat!
You keep yourself safe & update soon.
Merry Christmas, Happy Ghorban.
Take care.

Anonymous said...

Caesar,

Great to see you blogging again and enjoying college life in Baghdad. Thanks for saying hello. We were wondering how you've been doing.

Let's hope that this is the end of AQ in Iraq and let's hope that Shia and Sunna continue to build bridges to each other.

*

Lynnette In Minnesota said...

Huh, you're finally back! Just when I had quit checking. I had to hear about it in another comments section.

Glad to "see" you again and to hear that things are okay with you right now. :)

I hope that things continue to improve not only for your neighborhood but for Iraq as a whole.

Happy Eid, Caesar. :)

Caesar of Pentra said...

Xmas, guys!

David said...

Hi Caesar, I just discovered your new post. I'm glad to hear that the security situation in Baghdad is much improved. I hope things will continue to get better. Good luck in school! Happy New Year! :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, I wait till the 1st day of '08 to see if you've written anything new. Glad to hear back from you man! Hey, btw, I responded to what you wrote a while back, should be sittin in your Gmail account.

Pan said...

I guess you're not THAT disturbed. Actually quite nice.
LOL
:)

Caesar of Pentra said...

Hi, mates! Well, David! To be quite honest I tried to post something new in this new year. But believe me, amigos, the power in Baghdad is off since 1 jan 2008. besides, i don't have an Internet service from home.
btw, matt! I read your mails some time ago. & i got the pic you sent me. I should say that that Nicaraguan chick was bloody hot!
Lelly, thank you very much!

Pan said...

Hi Caesar
thanks for the comment and happy new year! Take care in your country.
Peace, l.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you liked it! I wish I could report better news but alas it is not to be!

Pan said...

ewww the Saw movies are pretty GROSS lol.
Im more for the supernatural than the mechanical hacking thing... :D

(braainnssz)

Caesar of Pentra said...

What? I know SAW are gross and terribly disgusting but it is bloody awesome! I'm dying to watch SAW 5. Interviews with Tobin Bell (or you may know him as "JIGSAW"), revealed that SAW 5 will talk about the story of his scary Puppet "Billy"!
By the way, there is a wonderful motto of Jigsaw's, in which he says "Cherish Your Life!". That's becoming mine too.

Pan said...

Well as long as you don't follow any of Jigsaws other mottos such as 'Killing is fun.' and 'LAAALAALAAIAMINSANELAAALA'*kill* and 'oink'

Have edited 'Makou falous, makou kaharaba, makou maie' post as applicable.

tee hee :D

Caesar of Pentra said...

Well, Jigsaw doesn't categorize himself as a killer. He said in SAW III "I'm not a killer.. I despise the killers!!". So, Obviously he wasn't enjoying killing his victims, as he never directly murders his victims nor places them in situations where death is unavoidable. But hey, I'm not defending him! :P

Pan said...

Sure sounds like it!Killer or not his character is a loony. Im just glad he's not real!

OR IS HE....!?!