Wade in Iraq: Week 32 - My Week In Iraq

Greetings from Umm Qasr! (Umm Qasr – which I believe is Arabic for……… “a “hot bath” happens only when you put the baby wipes in the microwave…. “)

Well, I hope you have had a good week….. And this week – we had something that we haven’t seen since May 7^th…..

Rain.

Yep, it hasn’t rained since May 7^th – (and I think I have mentioned before that the only reason I got that date – was because the HoN asked me to look at a small indentation in a dirt infill area the next time it rained – and I noted the day before he asked, it poured and that date was May 7^th). And it hasn’t rained since then. For those of you who are counting – that is 25 full weeks -175 days – without rain. Which is why the only thing that grows around here is your impatience to go home… additionally, I really wouldn’t call it “rain” – more like big sprinkles. And if you are wondering, for the most part – temperatures are now in the low 90’s/high 80’s…. so it is a little easier to sit outside – or you don’t panic if the air conditioner starts sputtering….

Now, for those of you who have been telling me that the food pictures I send are not appetizing….I just wanted to say – I have not sent any photos of the DFAC…. THAT is unappetizing. Anyrate, I wanted to show you pix of a celebration that we had last week. This is young (16 year-old) Ali Basim – and his dad the sheik (BTW, the sheik has four wives….. and 15 children…..Notice that the sheik has a headband around his head. I think that is to keep his brains from blowing up…..with having the aforementioned 4 wives and 15 children.)

So anyway, young Ali is 16 years old – and he brought some goodies to share with his “American Friends” for his birthday party. (BTW, this is done at the “coffee shop” that I showed you a few months back).

Young Ali (not the first born by the way) and his Dad – the Sheik.

Birthday sweets – these are all cake and frosting and candy goodies…(the orange slices are candy).

And of course, the birthday cake….notice the Arabic writing on the plate – on the side of the cake….Also notice the white bird and the large candles on the cake itself…..

In case you were wondering what those “big candles” were on the cake….(maybe I am old – but I would have never thought to put flares on a birthday cake…..on the side of a road during a car accident, okay – but on a cake?) Well, Young Ali liked it – and that is what is important.

Now, in case you were wondering – we did sing “Happy Birthday To You” (Don’t say that too loud – I think those two little old ladies who wrote that little ditty – get royalties every time someone sings it….) – but I asked Ali if anyone has sung that to him before – and he said his friends sing it to him – in English. Don’t ask me what the significance is of that….but I thought it was interesting.

So – just so you are aware – those of you who don’t like rice or goat or lamb or hummus or anything good like that – I just wanted to show you that there are goodies and cakes and other fattening stuff available here as well….. just not from the Americans……oh well.

Okay, so on another note….. Remember we are following the story of Haleem’s brother, Raheem, and his future wedding? Well, there were several interesting developments. There is a young lady in the bustling metropolis of Umm Qasr – that Raheem did have his eye on….. but unfortunately, she comes from a rather “well-to-do” family. And they have talked of marriage – but the young lady’s father said that Raheem needed to “step up to the plate” if he wants his daughter. He said that Raheem must bring him money and a bunch of gold for his daughter. (I don’t know about you all….but I like this guy… I think this is another “tradition” I should bring home to the US…..). But I think the father was “pricing Raheem out of the market” – if you get my drift.

So, Raheem and his parents have kept looking….and just so you are aware – Raheem has “met” with 6 young Muslim women…..and no luck. Well, it was looking pretty bad for Raheem – when all of a sudden…. his mother remembers one of her childhood friends has a daughter about Raheem’s age. Hmmmm….. so the parents meet (not Raheem or the young lady)….they all like each other and talk about their respective children. Everything seems okay….so….time to meet.

Well, Raheem and his parents show up to the house – Raheem in his “suit” looking all spiffy. The young lady’s parents are thoughtful and offer up chai (tea) and sweets – waiting for the young lady to enter into the room. After a few minutes of small talk, in walks the beautiful Zainab (that is a fairly common name here – as it is after one of the Imam’s wives). She sits down and “gets the grilling” from Raheem’s mom and dad. Raheem likes what he is seeing – and hearing. A hard-working, beautiful young lady that is respectful and eloquent.

After an hour or so – it becomes apparent that Raheem and Zainab are going to work out quite nicely. Raheem quietly nods to his mom and dad. The parents glance at each other…it looks like we are going to have a wedding. Remember how I told you last week that they meet three times? Well, in a case like this, the couple meets the one time and next time – they will meet with their parents and the local Sheik. If everything is good with the Sheik, he will announce to the family that the children are “engaged.”

HOWEVER…there is still one step before they can meet again with the Sheik. First, the bride’s parents do an “Iraqi background check.” Seriously. The bride’s parents will go meet with the local neighbors and talk to them – Does Raheem drink alcohol (to excess)? Is Raheem a good and polite neighbor? Does Raheem cause problems? On and on (BTW – I am SO GLAD that Jeanette’s parents didn’t have to do this in my neighborhood – cause I would have NEVER passed this test)….but once the “background test” is passed (it is usually polite to take two days to do this) – the bride’s parents will “notify” the groom’s parents that everything is okay – and to “bring on the sheik.”

So that is where we are at. Raheem and his bride are anxiously awaiting the “results” of the background check. And it looks like Raheem will make his mid-November wedding date. I will try and keep you up to date on all of the parties and celebrations and other things.

On another note, I mentioned that Myles (Capt. Esmele) is back in the camp – after several weeks away. Well, we started our usual “working hard” routine. Here we are – working hard with Commodore Abdella (one star general equivalent) - it is hard to tell, but we are holding “Iraqi Chai” (tea) in our hand. We came over to visit the Commodore and talk to him about some things – and he asked for tea to be brought – well, it took a little longer than expected – so as we were leaving – the Commodore came out and personally handed us the tea. As I have mentioned before – graciousness and generosity are “mainstays” of the Iraqi (and in general, the Middle Eastern) culture. The Commodore was embarrassed that we did not get tea during our meeting. And both Myles and I LOVE the Iraqi Chai….so it was a treat for us…

In Umm Qasr, this is what passes for “3 wise men”….or “wise guys” – take your choice….

Okay, and what about the waste water treatment plant? Well, I have been continuing to work on that…. I think I mentioned that there are “air pumps” that are the “heart” of the WWTP….and the pumps are connected via metal pipe to deliver air to little air jets (that look like shower heads) – and bubble air into the water. Well, part of the “design error” that was originally done – was to install metal pipes that brought air to the jets….. well, (in case you didn’t know) – “sewer” is very corrosive – and it is warm here – which promotes corrosion as well. And so, here is what happens when you put metal pipes into this corrosive environment…

This pipe was installed approx. one year ago – and was supposed to be “airtight” – which is why we are replacing with PVC

Repaired valves on the newly replaced pvc pipes on the “top” of the aeration tanks.

The newly installed air jets – set in pvc pipe inside the aeration tanks….(Note: the “tee” is metal)

Another thing that I am doing – is making this one of the nicer places to work on base. I have ordered a brand new CHU (Containerized Housing Unit) for the operators – it has a restroom, kitchenette, an operator Control Room and an area for the operators to “rest” in. You see, part of the problem before was that the operators didn’t have any place to go to the bathroom – or eat their lunch, etc. etc. (as I told the operators….. when the plant is operating correctly – it smells more like a swimming pool – with lots of chlorine – more than it does like a sewer). So I am giving the operators “incentive” to keep the plant working. I also told them that this is such a nice CHU (it will be the envy of a LOT of people on the base)…. that if the plant breaks down, the management will probably take the CHU away. I also told them that if they don’t keep it clean – I will take it away from them (I won’t – but it always helps to keep them concerned that you just might).

Here is a picture of the back of the CHU – note the two air conditioning units are covered by a metal frame (to stop people from smacking into them….or accidentally “borrowing” them)….Note the clouds in the sky….an unusual sight around here..

Here is an inside view of the bathroom and the kitchen area (and so you know, this is probably now the best setup on base). Note that the bathroom has a shower – and right next to it is the “mid-eastern style” toilet

Now, I want to tell you a funny story about the middle-eastern style toilets. I know, I know…. it looks gross –and how do they do that? Well, it is easy (for them) as they just squat. (They think it is gross that we put our derriere on a little plastic seat – where someone else has already planted their bottom….)

But I want to share with you what happens when we try and “force” our culture on them. Here is a photo of one of the bathrooms in the boats that are built and shipped here from the United States…

I know, I know….way too many photos of toilets….but I am adding to my collection….

Anyrate, we delivered several of these boats and turned them over to the Iraqi Navy. Well, there has been a consistent problem with the seals (that connect the toilet to the floor) breaking and/or leaking. I mean, almost every toilet on every boat had a problem with the seal….was this some kind of manufacturer defect??? So they investigated….

The problem is (as stated above) the Iraqis PREFER to squat – and they think it is disgusting to do otherwise…..so they would STAND on the seat and do their business. Now understand – standing on top of a toilet seat gives VERY different forces than sitting directly on the toilet seat – so this added weight (and getting on top of the seat) put stress and strain on those little wax seals that you wouldn’t believe…. So consequently the toilets leak. Now the simple “fix” is to put in mid-eastern style toilets – but, unfortunately, it is not that simple – as you have to modify the floor (and some other minor fixes).

Again, I am not saying it is “better” one way or the other – what I am trying to draw your attention to is the CULTURAL differences that we must investigate as we design/build/construct/turn over buildings, equipment, containers, etc. to other countries. In the big scheme of things, it is a minor problem (and a minor flaw) – but imagine if you were “forced” to go potty in one of the mid-eastern style toilets at your daily job…. would it kill you? Probably not, but I am sure that you can agree those little comfort things make life nicer….

So again, my time with you, dear one, draws to a close. Know that we are doing a good thing here. And we are helping many of the folks - who never had a chance under Saddam – make a good living and support their families and lead a good life. Occasionally, I will gripe to the Iraqis about their living conditions – and they will agree that things could be better, but they almost always counter with “well – this is true, Mr. Wide – but “under Saddam…..” and then they tell me stories about how bad things were….and even though it has been almost ten years since he went down – they are glad that we did what we did. So until I return home……

God Bless America

Mr. Wide

مهندس واد بروير

Bonus photos…..