Summer

It's summertime. Spring seems to be skipped here. Hot dry wind blows in my face like a hairdryer, spreading dust everywhere. On the road to Basirma the mountains have disappeared in the grey, sandy sky. The inhabitants of the camp are getting into a daily routine of slow mornings, sleepy afternoons and active evenings, which I would like to copy. Especially after lunchtime, when the heat is the strongest, I wish I could take a nap and postpone my work till the evening cools down our small office. This is also the tactic of the mosquitos who are now our roommates from 4 pm till past midnight, and who we are forced to provide lunch, dinner and early breakfast for….

The summertime has turned the big park in Erbil into the place to be. Under the cool shade of the trees families are picnicking, women are strolling, men are smoking, kids run between them and some crazy foreigners are playing rugby…. Of course there are also the weddings. At least three seem to be ongoing on whichever evening you enter the park. I say “seem to be” because seeing a women in a huge white dress and a man in a suite posing happily for a camera does not mean they are actually getting married today. They might just be taking the mandatory in style pre-wedding pictures which will be displayed during the actual marriage, several days or weeks later. Though this tradition is strange to me, I find it nice that this means she gets to wear that dress at least more than once.

A few weeks ago, we attended the wedding of a colleague. Like in Lebanon this was an event which requires a dress, heels, make-up and no aversion to dancing. The first three I managed (low heels, but still...) but then the dancing…. My colleague insisted we join the group dance, and apparently it is also very much appreciated by the happy couple, regardless of how inelegant you move. In this traditional dance all the guest make a line, hold hands and take the same steps at the same time. It looks very simple. However, when you have to focus on not stepping on your dress, or on your own toes or – even worse – on the toes of the person next to you, while smiling in the camera which is bound to pass you at exactly that moment, it becomes quite a challenge. In any case, we managed. Good thing the long dress hid my feet so my wrong steps were only noticed (and felt) by my unfortunate neighbor.

The summer means also the renewed use of the air-conditioner in car, office and house. During almost every meeting I curse myself for again not bringing a vest or scarf with me. Yes, it was 30 degrees or more when I left the house this morning, but I should have known that the 2-hour meeting today will be held under an AC set on “Dutch Summer” (16 degrees and a chance of rain). Afterwards, I welcome the hairdryer in my face when I step outside. Only for a few seconds of course. After that I go back to complaining about the heat. Lately, however, I try to keep the complaints to a minimum among my local friends or integrated expats, because any grumble is inevitably met with a: “this is nothing, it will get soooo much hotter in July”. Thanks. That makes me feel so much better. I never thought I would say this but I miss the Dutch summer…. a leaking AC is really not the same….

Love,
Marlies