Daily notebook from Duhok 2016

[Piling]

Teachers have not been paid since 4 months, that's the reason of their protest. But I agree they could not bear the working week of an ordinary French teacher : they would die

[Anthea]

Teachers have not been paid since 4 months, that's the reason of their protest. But I agree they could not bear the working week of an ordinary French teacher : they would die

I do not understand the Kurdish education system

Because the teachers work so few hours

A) how many hours a week are the students at/school/college?

B) are there twice as many teachers?

[Piling]

Students have lessons from 8 h00 to 13 h 50. Each lesson lasts 40 mn. In that school, it's opened from Sunday to Thursday. In other schools in Kurdistan, only the Friday is off.

[Piling]

yesterday, power off from 22 h to 23 h.

Today off from 8 h to 13 h.

Let's hope that spring will come soon.

[Anthea]

yesterday, power off from 22 h to 23 h.

Today off from 8 h to 13 h.

Let's hope that spring will come soon.

I hope it is not freezing there

[Piling]

I have a kerosene heater. The weather is not very cold except the nights. The next week they expect spring temperature.

[Anthea]

I have a kerosene heater. The weather is not very cold except the nights. The next week they expect spring temperature.

You mentioned your kerosene heater before and I am still not convinced they are very safe

Do you have to have one in each room - including the bathroom - or do you put your hat on every time you need to pee

[Piling]

As in old houses, there is some heater in main rooms, but in others, just the natural coldness of the season.

But since I left Paris, I got no flu, no cold, nothing.

[Anthea]

As in old houses, there is some heater in main rooms, but in others, just the natural coldness of the season.

But since I left Paris, I got no flu, no cold, nothing.

BRILLIANT

Obviously you lead a much healthier lifestyle in Duhok

Good fresh food and not being stuck in a smelly office all day

Less stress more laughter

Best of all - none of the air pollution

I cannot bear going into London - the place positively STINKS

[Piling]

Postmail service in Kurdistan

I gave courses when my phone rang. Not a very audible voice and I understand nothing about the matter. The phone insisted and called many times. The kids were laughing.

At the end, I could give the phone to a colleague : "Can you understand what he wants ? He talks about the school."

In fact it was the post-office, telling that there was a parcel for THE SCHOOL (not for a person) from BELGIUM (not France) which waited for ages in their place.

"And why didn't you call BEFORE ?" asked the teacher.

No answer.

So I came to the place and when I showed them my number phone, they gave me the parcel. On it was clearly and largely written my NAME, and the name of the sender from FRANCE.

The sending just arrived via Belgium international mail (don't know what).

So I guess that Kurdish post thinks they can deal with telepathy. When a parcel or a letter is arrived for you, you have to FEEL and GUESS it and immediately run to take it without any warning. Or you wait for 2 months without any news.

Advice : never send French stinky cheese or after 2 months it will be a nest of worms.

[Anthea]

I never really thought about the Kurdish postal system - we in the UK are so used to post being delivered to our door on a daily basis

GOSH you could have Christmas Presents lost in the postal system

Or people wondering if you are alright as you have not answered their letters to you

What would have happened if you lost your mobile phone

[Piling]

Lent begins tomorrow. 50 days without meat and dairy in Kurdistan… I wonder how I will survive.

[Anthea]

Lent begins tomorrow. 50 days without meat and dairy in Kurdistan… I wonder how I will survive.

Apart from a small amount of cheese I have spent most of my life without dairy products and ALL of my life without meat

[Piling]

No dairy ? Chocolate is made with MILK

[Anthea]

No dairy ? Chocolate is made with MILK

True but I have NOT eaten any chocolate for about 5-6 months now

I do not eat any crisps or biscuits - just thought I would mention that fact

Easy to give up something

Got to get in shape for my new victim/toyboy/partner

Just crossed another one off my list of prospective

I need a tall BLOND NON-SMOKING vegetarian chef