The "Not So Beautiful" Iraq

Iraq is home to many people, most of which who do not know what a computer is.  The people do not have anywhere near the technology we have in the United States.  They are lucky to even have air conditioning, most of the houses do not and they stay cool by swimming in the rivers they also go to the bathroom in.  The summers get extremely hot; when I was there the hottest was 143 degrees Fahrenheit, want to talk about sweating profusely.  The electricity is scarce and does not work the majority of the time. 

It is all desert terrain and farm lands.  The crops do not grow very well, but they still try.  They live mostly on meat from any animal they can get ahold of.  Their houses are made out of mud, cow pies, and branches.  They do not have plumbing, some build an outhouse with a hole in the ground, but most of them just go in the river. 

The people for the most part are friendly.  They have invited us in their houses and given us what little food and drink they have.  They also thank us for being there and keeping the Al Qaida away because they are terrified of them.  The children can be friendly, but most of them are pretty hostile (at least towards us).  The people wear the same dresses and sandals on a daily basis.  They do not have the luxury of a washer and dryer like we do in America.  It is really sad how these people live. 

Iraq does not even have grocery stores, gas stations, or fast food joints.  To gas up their cars, they pull up to a guy on the side of the road who has jugs full of fuel, and he fills them up.  For groceries, they go too little stores in sheds to pick up things.  As for fast food places, you can forget about it.  The electricity is not on all day so they would not be able to function at all.

Overall, being to Iraq has made me humble and thankful for the things I do have and luxuries we all take for granted here in America.