This is my first time in Baghdad, the city of late Saadam Hussein. Being outstation in Iraq is a different experience altogether compared to other part of countries that I've been. Due to current unstable situation in this country, we can't take for granted the risks that we might face. For the first time in my life, I put on a 5kg bullet proof vest, with the help of bodyguard (it's heavy ok) and I was escorted with armed bodyguards, armed driver and also escorted with two separate security bullet proof vehicles whenever we need to go out from the camp. It's a company procedure for the security vehicles to escort our 4WD, each of them is in front and behind of ours. For the first time also, I hear this kind of instruction from my bodyguard: "if both of me and the driver got shot, pls press this button. This will link to the security for a rescue" Hmm... do you think it is such a cool instruction??
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One of the street in the city of Baghdad. The picture taken otw to Ministry of Oil.
Not many pictures taken as I was conscious with the presence of armies with suspicious look along the checkpoints... |
Along the way here, we had to go through series of army check points, went through the body scan machines, showed them our passports, etc. Hmmm, procedures that I normally watched in the action movies and apparently I'm experiencing all these, now. We convoyed with 4 SUVs for the 3 of us to go for a meeting with Iraq Ministry of Oil staffs. The bodyguards waited outside of the meeting room and we were escorted all the way until we reach the camp. The con is, we don't have the chance to go to somewhere else. It's strictly business. No fridge magnets peeps!
Alhamdulillah, the meeting went smoothly. And alhamdulillah so far so good. We did hear some shootings sound from a far distance. I'm not sure whether it's a training camp nearby or any real shootings were actually taken place. I noticed few attacks-status from the security screen during the security briefing on the first day here however those were far from our camp. I always pray to Allah for our safety and can go back to Kl as scheduled. Thank God, they have wifi here in the camp. I don't care if I don't have big screen tv or fridge in the room but I desperately need to get access to the Internet. Alhamdulillah we have all of those in the room ;) There were few electric trips occurred during our stay. It was damm scary at first. Just imagine that I was in total darkness in the new army camp. However it only takes like 3-5 mins each time. After several times, I've got used to it huhu...
Can't wait to fly back to Dubai tomorrow and hope to be back to KL on Friday as scheduled. I miss my family. Akid started his new year school without me and hubby around. Poor him ;(
Bullet proof jacket and helmet beside each bed in the camp
