Kanat Atkaya: A "super holiday" in Northern Iraq
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Temmuz 28, 2006 13:44
In recent years, as much as I have said "It is necessary to work in order to stay alive," I have also gone on some terrible holidays. My idea of a holiday has never been along the lines of what most reasonable people imagine. But in those years, I was a student, and even finding a bed of stone somewhere would have its pleasures.
Yesterday though, the front page of the Hurriyet carried a story on an ad campaign running on American television stations, in which the Kurds thank the US for its intervention in the region. In these ads, which aim to introduce the Northern Iraqi region to US viewers, Westerners are called to both invest and vacation in the area. Of course, it is possible that there are some people who will react to the phrase "vacation in Northern Iraq" with these words: "Hmmm....for right now, I can't decide. I was going to go swimming at a meeting of some hungry white sharks off the coast of Australia, but the Northern Iraqi idea IS very attractive...." It is true that vacationing in dangerous areas is almost a trend among some circles of society.
Anyway, I've prepared a guide for those who are planning on visiting Northern Iraq on vacation, as well as for those organizing the tours. Happy holidays!:
----Meeting in the Istanbul airport and passing-out of equipment. (Helmets, prayer books, and flasks will be gathered at the end of the tour by the guides. Kalashnikovs are optional-please ask your guide for help.)
----Arrival in Northern Iraq and first attack. In this first attack, professional peshmerges will attack our vehicle with gunfire. Those who survive will be treated to free bandage and mecurichrome service.
----Time for clashes! We think this will be the most interesting part of our tour-a chance to participate in a real live clash! During the clash, you will have a chance to kill the people on the other side with your very own guns and bombs. Only, don't forget that you have only a 30 kilo weight limit for each body you kill.
----A souvenir photograph with the fighters. By snapping and keeping these pictures, you will be able to amaze your friends, and people who have always wondered about the faces of these fighters. You will kneel with the help of two militia members carrying scimitars in front of poster written in a language you don't understand for your photograph. Video montage of this scene is included in the trip price.
----Due to limited space and excessive interest in the tour, some of our participants may be sent instead to the Lebanon-Israeli border area.
Anyway, I've prepared a guide for those who are planning on visiting Northern Iraq on vacation, as well as for those organizing the tours. Happy holidays!:
----Meeting in the Istanbul airport and passing-out of equipment. (Helmets, prayer books, and flasks will be gathered at the end of the tour by the guides. Kalashnikovs are optional-please ask your guide for help.)
----Arrival in Northern Iraq and first attack. In this first attack, professional peshmerges will attack our vehicle with gunfire. Those who survive will be treated to free bandage and mecurichrome service.
----Time for clashes! We think this will be the most interesting part of our tour-a chance to participate in a real live clash! During the clash, you will have a chance to kill the people on the other side with your very own guns and bombs. Only, don't forget that you have only a 30 kilo weight limit for each body you kill.
----A souvenir photograph with the fighters. By snapping and keeping these pictures, you will be able to amaze your friends, and people who have always wondered about the faces of these fighters. You will kneel with the help of two militia members carrying scimitars in front of poster written in a language you don't understand for your photograph. Video montage of this scene is included in the trip price.
----Due to limited space and excessive interest in the tour, some of our participants may be sent instead to the Lebanon-Israeli border area.