24 March: Dust Storm

A dust storm set in today. Not the first. Not the worst. Everything is cast in a brown-orange tint and Kashmir by Led Zeppelin plays in my head. Our unit has been here in country for over 9 months now. When we first arrived the "skies were red" for weeks. But these shots are all from today.

Truck: Old World

Truck: New World (self portrait)

Almost Invisible

Invisible

Taxi Not In Service

Boys And A Hood

"Objects May Appear..."

I've seen men holding hands, not unusual or gay here, just a cultural difference. I've seen women hold hands once or twice, or hold a child's hand, but these are the first male and female adults I've seen holding hands in Iraq. Perhaps a good thing that I missed their hands and they're faces are blurred. This act of public affection that we in America, perhaps take for granted, is apparently a taboo here.

I don't know what this says. The pictures are explanation enough. A billboard in downtown Diwaniya.