The above picture is from the trip to the school last month - I have not taken too many pics in the last few days so I thought I would throw this one in to buy me a few more days.
In the last few days I have had the opportunity to get out and play a little soccer with some of the Iraqi Soldiers. The games are always friendly and it never really matters who wins or loses - and why should it if half the team is playing with no shoes and the other half is playing in combat boots. And I suspect that playing with a different ethnic group is just about the same anywhere in the world - everybody knows the new guy or in this case the "white" guy but to me they all look the same. Additionally, I never was very good at remembering peoples names right-off-the-bat but like any new player I politely introduce myself when I walk onto the field. But have no doubt that as soon as I get done shaking their hand - almost before our hands separate I have forgotten how to pronounce their name. It took me three days to correctly pronounce "good morning" in Arabic, how can I be expected to remember Aliwan Asriah Monahana in three seconds especially as I turn to meet the next player. So I politely smile, and with a friendly nod I secretly hope they do not ask me to repeat their name. And since everyday there seems to be a different group of players it makes remembering the names even harder. Well enough about my Iraqi greeting techniques - have a good night.
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