Erbil, Iraq: Day One

We have just arrived in the dusty, arid land of the Kurds. The brand, spanking new airport came as a surprise after crossing over the rugged, Mars-like landscape that makes one feel like he's trespassing on some alien, unlivable planet. As we descended from the plane, I noticed a girl carrying a shiny bag overloaded with bottles of fine liquor and wine. The young girl to my left was wearing Victoria's Secret "Pink" sweat pants and the guy next to her sporting a blue, knock-off Armani suit. The I Phone sign just up ahead flashed beside an array of other modern products for sale. 

Are we in Northern Iraq?, I thought to myself. Surely we didn't accidentally go to Croatia? Nope, we have definitely arrived in Northern Iraq because the stamp on my passport says so. As we dragged our pile of luggage, crammed full with the most precious things from home, we stepped into this strange new place, ready to embark on our new adventure. We went home, chatted with our friends and fell asleep shortly thereafter so nothing noteworthy has happened yet, but soon to come.

All of us have gross misinterpretations of what a culture is, and so I plan to enter this one without expectations. Ha, I am sure that I will be 100% loyal to this commitment, but I'm hoping I can live by this goal at least in part. My plan is to blog it out, so to speak. To blog what I do, what I cook, where I go, etc. This time it's going to be a chronicle of life in Kurdistan. The good, the bad and the ugly. Feel free to jump on this adventure with me. I look forward to sharing. Cultural blunders soon to come! Stay tuned.