they seem more than happy with compensation in the form of a humongous tin of Baklava from a reknowned Arabic sweet shop in Sharjah very kindly provided courtesy of Sheik Sultan.
Zighy Bay, Musandam Peninsula
Sultanate of Oman
Major thank yous to The Middle Eastern Correspondent & Sheikh Sultan
Visited another major project today receiving a very comprehensive briefing and then then climbing up a 60ft watchtower in order to be able to view where the threat was most likely to come from! Afterwards we had a Q&A session with the guys. It’s hard work being put on the spot about stuff when you've only been in an organisation 3 months and they tend to ask about such a wide variety of things, half of which I've got no knowledge of. Then there’s a language issue…it's like the league of nations here as there are 22 nationalities working for us in Iraq so interpreters were required at points. At the end of the meeting they presented me with a company baseball cap and insisted on a photo shoot....they apparently love having visitors.
2 hours drive through southern Iraq down to the city of al Hillah. The journey wasn't too bad as the roads are in a reasonable condition (albeit with no signage whatsoever) and we were only stopped at one checkpoint on the way down. al Hillah feels much more 'normal' than Baghdad as although there are checkpoints and military vehicles around the place there are far more people in the streets and kids playing etc. The set-up down there is pretty good and the guys have a decent standard of living, the project is well run and more importantly they have a good relationship with the local community due to the way we operate and the fact that we are providing employment in the area. There was an IED literally round the corner from the base the other day which fortunately was spotted by a local who immediately informed the authorities and the camp security officer preventing anyone getting injured. Really useful seeing the place and doing a Q&A session with the guys. On the journey back the whole team were pulled at a checkpoint on the outskirts of Baghdad, they searched the car, the contents and all the passengers. Slightly disconcerting for me as I was segregated from the guys but it was all over and we were back on the road before I had time to start worrying. It does feel bizarre sitting at an Iraqi checkpoint waiting for some form of clearance, sweltering in a flack jacket and helmet 3 sizes too big, in temperatures of 45° accompanied by the H.R. Director who's toting an AK47. Still can't quite believe some days....
(said in bestest Geordie accent)
Managed to get a reasonable night's sleep albeit interspersed with the occasional low flying helicopter. Having said that the air conditioning makes as much din as a generator for the national grid so that's providing enough background noise to block almost anything out! Room's comfortable enough with typically kitsch middle eastern decor but clean and the shower is literally next door so don't need to wander too far in my PJs. Not really cut out for this house sharing malarky at my age...
