You ask me "why here and not there?" I don't blame you. I often ask myself the exact same question, when life here gives me a slap in the face, I ask myself "Why here? Why not there?" Why live in Erbil when you can live in London? Why be in Iraq when you can... Continue Reading →

Pssst. Hello. Care to know a few secrets from the Cultural Capital? I am sat at a local cafe. If I did not search for it, I would have never known it was located on this inner neighbourhood road. I need to pinch myself to believe what I am seeing is real. In fact, I... Continue Reading →

Just a little outside of Slemani, I am sat with a few families in a little farmhouse over a little hill. One person, in particular, takes my attention away from the setting sun and red coloured sky to much deeper levels of thinking about the state of education in our society - typical Sazan Mind,... Continue Reading →

Loyal Reader, if you are travelling, sending a birthday gift, if you wish to surprise a loved one or you are hosting a large event and want to give gift bags, please remember these startups and businesses. Because for these entrepreneurs, most female, every order makes a difference. These businesses are all Made in Kurdistan,... Continue Reading →

I am boring. I visit the safe cafe, sit on the same table and order the same type of coffee. Every time. Or maybe I am just very loyal? A dear friend recently recommended a place saying "you'll like it" and I loved it, which is why it has gently made its way on to... Continue Reading →

Many years ago, when I was a little girl, living far from a place called home. We had an old book, it was worn out, and torn out. I remember my father made many calls, and waited many months until we received our copy. A relative gave it to a friend, who then gave it... Continue Reading →

Nask. You have not met her? OMG. You have not heard of her? OMG X 2 + !!! When I first knew of Nask I remembered her as the Rock Girl. She is probably the only girl in Kurdistan who has the largest rock collection, ever. Nask is a young woman of talent, ambition, dreams... Continue Reading →

Sixteen days. Sixteen stories about Her from my Diary. [Please note day 11 and 12 are only on the blog, not on Instagram] Day 13: Zin Zin was one of the first cases I came across in my career. A young girl, I do not recall her age, but in the very early twenties. She... Continue Reading →

Sixteen days. Sixteen stories about Her from my diary. Day 11 & 12: Lara & Zara Lara and Zara were sisters. Zara was two years older than Lara. Yet, with society's perceptions, Zara was the 'prettier' and more attractive of the two. She was taller, and had lighter colour skin, her hair was light, her... Continue Reading →

Sixteen days. Sixteen stories about Her from my diary. Day 10: Sara A few years back, over lunch I asked my colleague Sara a very casual question, little did I know of her response. For me, it was an utter shame to ask such a question, as for Sara, the lunch break we shared turned... Continue Reading →