A different view of Iraq

I was able to take another trip recently to a power plant that had both gas turbine and thermal (steam) generators. We were located near the Euphrates River (thermals take a lot of water), way from Baghdad, and I had the opportunity to see a completely different side to Iraq. I had mistakenly attributed the style of living I am surrounded by here in the urban desert of Baghdad to all Iraqis. What I saw near Hillah was pretty shocking - mud and thatched huts. I saw one woman come out of her home - a completely hand shaped mud hut - no bricks, no wood, just mud shaped into a shelter. The next house along the road (maybe a 1/4 mile) was a large concrete masonary unit house - probably 3500 square feet. Amazing the difference in that quarter mile.

As we drove along, it was obvious that there is little to no American prescence out in that part of the countryside. US Forces did have a Forward Operation Base at the power plant but it had been transferred to the Ministry of Electricity quite a while ago. Most reaction to our convoy of up armored SUVs was quizzical looks, with one 10 year old boy running out of his Dad's shop yelling at us to go away from what I gathered from his non-verbal communication.

The day after we went through the village near the plant a bicycle improvised explosive device (the tubes of the frame are cut open and packed with explosives) ripped through the market - wounding 37 (the police vehicle has a hole inthe door from the shrapnel). I will never understand Iraqi on Iraqi violence, even if it is Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) - what is gained?

Pictures from the trip are at:
Musayib Trip Album


Happy Veteran's Day to the many of you have served the Nation!! Thanks for your service and may God bless America!

Grace & love -
Chris