Heroes?

So, I have been in Suli for over a week now.  Probably the biggest surprise so far is the perception that people have of Americans.  We 5 teachers have met with some important people so far including the president of the University and the head of the student government organization.  The message that they give us is always the same.  They tell us how the Kurdish people love Americans.  That they regard us as heroes.  They talk about how great Bush is and because of Americans they have been liberated from Saddam Hussein.  

I have found that it is true that Americans are liked here.  The other day I took a taxi back to my house from the grocery store with a co-teacher.  After using limited Kurdish and hand motions we arrived at the house.  The taxi driver refused to let us pay him.  I had to insisted 3 times before he let us pay.  I have heard from another American that sometimes taxi drivers will not let you pay no matter how much you insist.

This is such a different message than we hear in the States.  Even though I’m sure we would hear a different thing in other areas of Iraq.  It is very interesting to get a different perspective.

As far as teaching,  we performed a written and oral exam for about 500 students.  We will divide the students into sections the next day or two and start teaching on Saturday.   The university itself is very nice.  I hope to send pictures soon as I should have an internet connection at home within the next week or so. 

Oh, Monday, Monday

  Well,  it looks like the waiting will soon be over.  Yesterday afternoon I got word that my airline tickets have been bought and the dates have been set for my time in Iraq.  I will be flying out of Harrisburg International Airport in one week on Monday February 9.  I will be traveling with Janine Leaman (who is from Lancaster and will also be on the team of teachers teaching in Sulaimaniyah).

  I also found last week that the project will still last for a full 6 months.  This means that instead of teaching until the end of June we will be teaching until the first week of August.  The semester ends for the students at the university at the end of June so they will need to take time into their vacation in order to finish the English course we will be teaching.   Janine and I decided to take another 3 days or so to spend in Istanbul, Turkey for a short vacation after we are done teaching in early August.   This leaves us with a return date of August 9.  Exactly 6 months after leaving. 

  So, yesterday I was very excited that my waiting is finally over.  Well... I guess things don't always go as we plan since I ended up having to wait once again but this time in the local Emergency Room.  

  A local church opens its gym on Monday nights to the community for a indoor soccer pickup games.  I was having a great night.  I had great control of the ball and our team was winning almost every game.  Then it happened... the soccer ball floating in the air waiting for my head to push it into the goal.  Unfortunately, my teammate had the same revelation.   I did get a head on the ball and I did score but also got a deep and long cut right above my left eyebrow from smacking heads with my teammate.  About 3 hours later I was finally getting it stitched up with about 18 stitches and was sent home to finally have my well deserved shower and meal.

  During the night I got up around 1:30 since I could not sleep and realized that my eye was very swollen.  This made me a little nervous so walked over to the ER (fortunately it is only a block and a half away).  They tight wrapped the wound to keep pressure on it.  This did keep the swelling down but it did not allow me to sleep much at all.

  Here I am the morning after.  The swelling in my eye is now down to a slight amount and I feel a little tired but good.  I look like I was in a boxing match since my eye has turned black and blue.  But the waiting is almost over.  The stitches come out this weekend and I will soon be in Iraq.  Oh, what a Monday.