Would you visit Kurdistan?

Prairieboy

Prairieboy

Veteran
Well I have a delema!

A month ago I rescued a project for a Kurdish violinist. He has returned from his country and has basically been told by the president that he wants to do some more work to promote the country's heritage. So the first person he turned to was me. While being honoured, I am a bit perplexed.
Although northern Iraq is the safest part of the country, and I would be under great security, it is still IRAQ. My whole life I have seeked new experiences, and love to travel. But I am married, and this plays a huge role in my decision. If it was just me I would be ordering more tapes as we speak. (I think). But for the first time in my life I am not too sure about this. The money would be good, but that is realitively minor part of this problem. I would be gone for a few weeks, shoot like crazy, see things I would never get a chance to see. But IEDs would always be in the back of my mind. Once again there really is no fighting up there. But , well I am really confused.
So what ya all think?
 
See I would too. I have no kids, but I am in a partnership. My wife and I briefly talked about it, this sort of just come uip, and is not definite.
But she would not hold me back, she is not that type, and she knows me and my willingness to do these things, no matter how much she hates the idea.
 
i don't know i'd make a new plan STAN don't need to be coy roy.... just listen to me that one's for TERRY:grin: , GEE wally i'd ask mommy, does she want to go or does she want you to go. now if you guys weren't getting along, and she wants you to go .....think about it!:angry:! if she wants to go with you so she can shop! think about it!:embarasse or she doesn't want you to go because of all those beautiful belly dancer you'll have dancing all nite trying to take all your money that you just earned, think about it:evil:
 
kimko said:
i don't know i'd make a new plan STAN don't need to be coy roy.... just listen to me that one's for TERRY:grin: , GEE wally i'd ask mommy, does she want to go or does she want you to go. now if you guys weren't getting along, and she wants you to go .....think about it!:angry:! if she wants to go with you so she can shop! think about it!:embarasse or she doesn't want you to go because of all those beautiful belly dancer you'll have dancing all nite trying to take all your money that you just earned, think about it:evil:
Click to expand...


The "flow" has spilled out all over DVXuser.

Uz-flow-istan or bust!
 
I did a trip around the world like that about a year ago. Afghanistan, etc. Crazy places and it can really take its toll not only on you (you're never really prepared mentally or physically for those places until you're there), as well as relationship wise. Its very stressful on loved ones back here. You have to consider the others in the mix in a decision like this. How long would you be there?
 
Listen to your gut feelings.

This applies to everything.

I'd love to go on a trip like that. But if my gut said soemthing was wrong I'd also listen to that.

Not to worry you, it sounds like a fantastic opertunety, but just be sure to listen to yourself too!

- Mikko
 
Traveling is one of the best educations you can get, even (especially) in times of strife. I was in East Germany when they tore out Checkpoint Charlie, in Estonia when they applied for independence and the Russian Tanks came rolling in, and Cambodia at the beginning of their revolution. I have great memories [and some great footage] and learned things about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, things that I still use today.

However, why would you want to go on this adventure? What’s in it for you? How are you going to make a difference? If it’s for the money you should make sure there’s plenty of it and you get enough to make it worth doing before you leave. There’s always a chance that you won’t receive the rest when you get back.

A few weeks is not that long to be separated from your wife. Although there have been over 2,000 casualties in Iraq there have been several hundred thousand troops serving there over the past three years. This is not a political statement – there would have probably been half that many casualties if that many people would have been serving for that amount of time in New Zealand. My point is that yes it is dangerous, but you can mitigate much of the risk by learning as much from people who have been there and can give you first hand knowledge of what it’s like. Where will you stay? You mentioned security, from whom and for how much? Will you be in an area with other Americans who can help you if you need it?

I wouldn’t do it now that I’m pushing 50 but I sure did in my 20’s and have no regrets. It could be the adventure of a lifetime but you will have to do all of the work to mitigate the risk [which means something more than asking for advice on this forum…]
 
It would more than likely be 2-3 weekd. The travel part is not an issue. I am gone alot, and Heck my wife and I have been married for 4 1/2 years but only lived together for two. I have a Canadian passport, (I now live in Minnesota). I want to go, I am aprehensive (and I think I should be.)
The money would be good, but once again I would not go for the money (that is silly) It is the experiences that would take me there. But I have a responsiblity to my wife. And that is where the real conversation needs to take place. It will tonight when she gets home. My security will be etop notch. I will be a visiter of the president, and minister of heritage. But even the best security does not stop a planted bomb at the wrong place. This is a tough one for me. I have lots of time to think about it. But my mind keeps flipflopping,
 
The Committee to Protect Journalists put the number of journalists kidnapped in Iraq since April 2004 at 36. Six have been killed, it said.

i couldn't do it as i have a wife and 4month old daughter. the worry would be too great.

could be a very memorable expirence though.
 
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