In two days, Eva leaves. Last night, we spoke of practical things like draining water pipes and shutting off utilities while she's gone. We laughed over how she planned on packing light, but in the end she'll have (for instance) one suitcase just full of books (for Salih's homeschooling and for her own sanity for reading...!!) She's excited but nervous; handling 3 sons on a long trip, the trip itself, etc.

As we said goodbye, Eva shared how during a recent call from Meran this past weekend, a soldier he's been translating for was with him and asked to talk to his wife. The soldier shared how they really enjoy Meran not just as a translator but as a person, especially his sense of humour. After the soldier got off the phone, Eva could hear him say to Meran, "She sounds just like an American girl!", and Meran laughed and said, "She IS an American girl!"

Yesterday, speaking with my daughter, she explained that she and Meran have discussed him working in his current position as a translator/interpreter for an additional year in Iraq. He has been offered that opportunity, and he is seriously considering it for many reasons - financial (it would allow them to pay off their new home in 2 years) as well as personal (helping his country and culture).

Eva said the final preparation for her trip was just accomplished when Meran's uncle, a member of a Kurdish political party (but who is living in USA now) assisted them in obtaining necessary papers for entering Kurdish Iraq. Evidently, even if you're Kurdish, you still must have authorization on-file ahead of time for entering that part of northern Iraq controlled by the Kurds or you cannot enter. Paperwork for Eva and the boys have now been faxed and they are ready to go...

From Eva to Meran...

Assalam ale kum Sweetie:

On Saturday I sent you a 4 page letter in the mail, and some pictures. I hope you like them. Also I am sending you a video with Issa, who is coming with Najeeb on the 6th. I told him to give it to your uncle Issa until you visit there. It has some new and old video on it. Insh'Allah in less than a month we will see each other again. When I get the tickets I will let you know what day I am coming.

Until then, do not tire yourself too much, you will need all the energy you can when I see you again! It will be some good you know what that night. I love you and miss you more than you can imagine abu salih.

Take care of yourself,
Nirgaz always and forever yours.

From Meran to Eva...

asalamu alykum habibee:

You think I am not ready don't worry I am the man of this century and the next. I can't wait until you come here. Who you coming with and when? And what country are you going to. I went to Hajji Zibayr's house for a day in Rebar, then I went to villages around and behind Duhok, it was very good. And then I went to my Uncle's house and for 30 minutes and then I hit back to Zakho. We are able to use internet sometimes in a city of Zakho but we don't have internet and telephone back in our place, but we are looking forward to get it. I like here because my friend like me and I am ok, and safe place to be, but insha allah when you come here I will be better ... How are the kids and miss them so much tell them. I love them.

What is the situation with Gullizar did she got upset when you tooled here that Meran is not coming and I will go? How is you mam and her friend? Tell her hi for me. Tell Noman and his family hi and all my other family members. Tell them I miss them all. I love you and the kids so much. Come herererererererere.

Peace be with you and Allah be with you on your traveling.

Eva now knows when she'll be leaving to visit Meran, with a tenative return next February...

trishymouse says:
Just am reading your email...10/2, eh?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
yeah...just got to apply for visa on monday, more nervous actually
trishymouse says:
I'm confused. I thought you said you did that already...??
trishymouse says:
(I hope you get a flight in Komishlu...12 hours on a bus with 3 kids...NOT fun...!!)
Eva/Nirgaz says:
no, not yet, just got passports, but visas for Syria will come quickly
trishymouse says:
I'm almost laughing at the journey you're taking...the only thing missing are the camels!!
Eva/Nirgaz says:
tell me about it
trishymouse says:
What an adventure though...You'll have to 'pack smart'...it'll take some real planning to know what's truly important to take, and I'm not just talking clothes. I'm sure you've been thinking about that, eh?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
yes, I am probably going to keep everything at a minimum, can buy stuff there
trishymouse says:
I am SO excited for Eva that she can go to Kurdistan and see Meran and other family there!!
trishymouse says:
I'm curious, since you bought a ticket on a particular date, does that mean Meran will still be coming over and surprising you?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
he isn't now
trishymouse says:
He's too busy, I suppose, eh?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
he is now in Zakho and doesn't want to leave for fear they will move him to a different city
trishymouse says:
Good idea. I agree with him in that case...makes sense...
trishymouse says:
I suppose he can't really talk about specifics, but do you know what KIND of translation he has been doing? What type of situations does he work in, etc.?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
The city he is in is fairly safe, on the Turkish border, only real problem would be if the Turks decided to make some trouble
Eva/Nirgaz says:
no, not yet, may know more when I can orally talk to him there
trishymouse says:
Well you know they definitely don't like the idea that the Kurds (heaven forbid!) get ahold of oil-rich land...then they could actually have power. The Turks wouldn't like that, of course...

From chat today...

Eva/Nirgaz says:
I got the most romantic letter today from Meran via regular mail.
trishymouse says:
Ahhhhhhhh....
Eva/Nirgaz says:
He said that he hopes that I forgive him for leaving me with all the kids and that he thinks I am doing a great job handling all their problems. He also said that "...I would never think that I will marry a woman as good as you ever. That is why I will love you forever..."
trishymouse says:
That is true. He has a very special lady in you, Eva. You are smart, beautiful, resourceful, creative...
Eva/Nirgaz says:
It was nice that he was validating how I was feeling, being left with the kids, shouldering that responsibility solo. That he respected and appreciated that was nice
trishymouse says:
It definitely was.
Eva/Nirgaz says:
Thank you
trishymouse says:
Don't throw these letters away like Grandma Short did with Grandpa's...!!
trishymouse says:
Grandma kicks herself now...
Eva/Nirgaz says:
No, I have these and I have ones from when I was in WV and some from when I was in PA just after trollwood in 94
trishymouse says:
Better put them in fireproof box...hot, hot, hot! *just teasing*
Eva/Nirgaz says:
Some of them are pretty private if you know what I mean, that's why I only share tid bits with you guys
trishymouse says:
I totally understand.
You wouldn't believe the trouble I had in making passports for the kids, ok
trishymouse says:
why?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
because they needed Meran's signature, evidently you need both parent's signature if the child is under 14
trishymouse says:
So what did YOU do?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
They had to physically see the children when you applied, but luckily Meran has the email so he emailed me a scanned signature with a letter, I would have forged it but wasn't able to because I had already mentioned on the first trip that he wasn't here. Finally the fourth trip to the passport office, today I finally took care of everything.
Eva/Nirgaz says:
They also needed his orders to prove he actually wasn't here
trishymouse says:
Oy! Don't you just love paperwork? I've been through the mill on stuff like that myself, so I know what you mean...
trishymouse says:
Where did you have to go, what government agency?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
It was a big headache, one that I would have abandoned had it not been for Meran's letter today where he mentioned how he can't wait to take us there and have us there so he can see him more often. It gave me the motivation and strength to take all three of the kids down there
Eva/Nirgaz says:
the post office
Eva/Nirgaz says:
There are special ones, not every post office has them, maybe two or three in each city
trishymouse says:
I see. Yes, I've seen a station at the main Fargo post office where they do that, too...that's right...
trishymouse says:
Well, I'm glad you didn't give up. I think all of you will be glad you didn't.
trishymouse says:
You MUST keep in touch, if nothing else, then letters. I want to hear all about what's going on over there after you go...that's an order from your old mother...!!
Eva/Nirgaz says:
It is kind of cool though, I have always had in mind that I wanted to see the world, didn't know it would be this way, but hey, at least I will be going
Eva/Nirgaz says:
Yes, m'am (salute)!
trishymouse says:
There are many interesting places over there many of us probably have no idea of either. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to have knowledgable local people show you around to some interesting sites, eh?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
yea, but I am most looking forward to seeing and taking pictures of Meran's village, Bigdowdi and the village where his parent's died Ekmole
trishymouse says:
It would be cool if you could audio tape interviews or videotape some things, too...Didn't you say you might take this as an opportunity to do some freelance documentary making?
Eva/Nirgaz says:
I want to take black and white film and color film with me. yes, all forms of media, I love them all so I will dibble dabble in them all: film, audio, and video.
trishymouse says:
I think what you come up with, will be very special. I look forward to it. I think Meran, his family, and your kids will be proud of your efforts, too.
Eva/Nirgaz says:
I really want to interview all the older people, I have a passion for the stories of the elderly. Their stories are so vibrant and full of color.
Eva/Nirgaz says:
They really remember what it is to truly live as a Kurd, sad to say much of kurdish culture today is westernized or arabized.
trishymouse says:
Same is happening to the young in Iran, from what I read. Most of them have no clue what it was like during the last revolution in 1970's. It's not to say it isn't OK to reconsider things, but I think it's just that people tend to throw out everything, good with the bad...
Eva/Nirgaz says:
yea, and the only thing being passed on to the Kurds here in America, is dancing, Music, and language, I would like to share more with my children about who they are. Also they will know my heritage too. I think all of it is important.