3 Apr

We continue to make preparations for the arrival of our guests - maybe they are coming today...maybe tomorrow...maybe not at all. While we are awaiting their arrival let me share Iraqi Lesson #11 - at least I think it is #11. With all the constructions that has taken place in the is area we had the opportunity to build a few new toilet facilities. Two 10 person facilities were built back to back and they both run off the same 10,000 liter water tank. The facility has been in place for about a month and today I was told the units are "no good." No good - what do you mean - are they broken? No...they are in perfectly good working order but - and I am not kidding - they are facing the wrong way. WHAT! What do you mean the WRONG WAY? Well it turns out that it is forbidden to use the toilets that are facing the same direction in which one would pray or to use a toilet that places your back to the direction you would pray. Holy Crap - no pun intended - are you kidding me - is this a joke to play on the American Major? My western" mind would never have thought "the man upstairs" would care which way you were facing when you let nature take its course. As far as the toilets - I am not sure what we are going to do about them - it will not be easy or cheap to turn or modify the facilities. Oh well they should have told us this was an issue when the toilets were being built - at least we know for next time. Speaking of next time - until the next time I write have a good day.