Eid Al-ada

Out at the job site

The amount of work to be done out here is staggering. Our construction site is not at the ends of the earth, but you can see it from there. Today, our site was visited by a dozen camels, about 50 sheep and their shepherds. This is the end of the Hajj, or the time of pilgrimage to Mecca, and the Iraqis are celebrating Eid Al-ada, Sacrifice of the Lamb. Abraham had to sacrifice his son, who was given a last minute reprieve by the Angel Gabriel who told Abraham that a sacrifice of a lamb would be sufficient to satisfy God. This holiday is like our Thanksgiving, everyone gets a long weekend, gives to the poor, and exchange gifts.

Here's an interesting blog about the natural world in Iraq from one of the soldiers stationed north of here http://birdingbabylon.blogspot.com/. I haven't seen much wildlife down here in the desert.