Lunch and Dinner

Today I went to have lunch at the home of a local Sheik. The Sheik was very wealthy, even by American standards and had a very large and nice home. Unfortunately I was only able to see the outside and one room of the inside. One of the first things that everyone in our group noticed was that he had a lawn with bright green grass. As I was waiting outside the house for all of the leaders to eat, I noticed two of the Iraqis walking in from the field, and one of them was dragging something long a black. My vehicle commander went over to investigate and learned that they had a black snake. It was either a Cobra or a Viper. The Iraqis showed no fear in handling it, and it was obviously dead, and I am glad there is one fewer snake in the world.

When it was my turn to eat, I walked inside the walled compound eagerly anticipating the Arab feast that I thought was coming. To my disappointment, it was not an Arab feast, but American food that had been made by American cooks. It was very good, but not what I had been expecting. The house and yard were amazing, and by far the nicest in the area. I took my plate and enjoyed a meal on the shaded grass. Nearby I watched a man face to the south and pray the noon prayers. The tables and food were on the patio, and around them were scores of American and Iraqi soldiers eating and talking. After I finished I went around and corner and found the restroom. It was outdoors, and to my surprise, had running water. It was an area in the side of the patio, and there were three stalls, and four sinks. Each stall had a bedpan shaped hole in the tile, and a hose and pitcher of water to ensure everything made it down the hole. I made sure to wash my hands when I was done. I spent about an hour in the patio and yard, and helped clean up as the lunch wound down. It was an enjoyable and memorable experience, but one that was disappointing as well. I had really been hoping that the food served at the lunch would be Iraqi, and I could have another variety of genuine Arab food. To add irony to the story, when I came back to the camp and went to the dining facility, it was Indian night. I got myself a delicious plate of curried beef, rice and Aloo Cabbage. The cabbage was the best. It was mixed with potatoes and spicy. One way or another I got to have my genuine ethnic food. I had genuine Indian food because most of the cooks are Indian. Of the two experiences, I found my walk through the villages to be more enjoyable.