We spent most of the day traveling. We arrived in Erbil at 4 in the morning. Our team mates picked us up, drove us around to see some of the Christmas lights, then took us back to their house for a rest. We woke up around 9:30 and set out to see the city. We went to the Citadel first.
View from the Citadel
Looking over an ancient wall (sightseeing here is so much different and far less structured!)
Then we went to Erbil's second-hand market (Langa) to find Mom a winter coat:
We wandered around and took in all the goods for sale:
Around 2pm, Andy drove us back to Duhok. We arrived a little after 5pm. The generator was on (no city power) and the house was frigid. Andy went out to talk to the "generator man" and managed to get us 6 amps in a matter of minutes! Hooray! I borrowed a space heater from John and Mary's and we were able to stay warm until city power came back on. We had some of my freezer meals for dinner, unpacked, and everyone tucked in to bed. I stayed up a little later to finish some laundry once we had city power.
Thursday, January 3rd:
We had a leisurely morning - the first morning we didn't have to get up for anything. It was fun to hang out in the apartment and prepare the gifts from America.
Caleb, right at home:
A little before 1pm, we walked through the neighborhood to Andy and Lisa's house. All together, we drove to Amedi, a city on a hill. I'd never been before, so it was a fun adventure for me too!
Zander took a nap on Mom's lap:
The two "kids" in the back :)
We stopped for sandwiches on the way. Caleb had his first kebab (which is ground meat formed into a log shape.) He loved it!
Before getting to Amedi, we took a stroll up a hill across from it.
Andy, Lisa, and the Z's:
Mom and Caleb are really here!
On a bridge made to look like a well-known, larger one in Zakho:
We saw this Kurdish flag painted on the side of the road and had to stop for a picture. The timing had to be just right to get it without cars!
In Amedi we drove to the old gate on the side of the mountain. We ate a snack there and took in the beautiful views.
On the way home, we drove past one of Saddam's old palaces. This area had a large wall around it and intricate troughs for the sheep.
As we got into Duhok, we stopped at Abu Faris for dinner. We had just discovered it with John and Mary and Sarah before they left. The food was still good and Mom got to have her first chai.
So thankful to have my family here!
