Moving our office from Hamra Hotel is the main reason that kept me alife to write these words this moment after the massive destruction that was caused by the explosion of Monday afternoon that targeted seven hotels in downtown Baghdad including the area where our hotel locates with three other ones.
For me, going to the explosion was not only to cover thenews but to check about people that I have been living with since July 2006.
Like the eye of eagle, I started looking at the faces checking them one by one. With no hesitation, I started hugging everyone I saw. Thanks God I could see all the people I love. Talking to them and hearing their voices was heaven for me.
When I finished everything, I went to my old office and I was shocked with the scene. OMG, I can not even find the right words to describe what my eyes had seen. My desk used to be the closest to the balcony. The explosion removed the glass frame from the wall and threw it inside the office. The glass smashed to pieces that could scatter me into parts if I were there. My drug which was inside the refrigerator was on the ground and I do not know how it happened because the refrigerator.
As they alwasy do, Iraqis make jokes even about their pains. Within all the mess and the tirreble situation, one of teh guards came to tell me that I shoud have done many good things to leave the hotel two days before this explosion.
After the destruction that I have seen in our old office , leaving the hotel for me has only one meaning. It means NEW LIFE.
this will never end until the "peaceful muslims" if there really are any, decide they have had enough and start to take the stance against the "radicals" that they claim are corrupting their religion!..they have no problem condemning American soldiers that are risking their lives for theirs...Where is the anger and protest against the so called "radicals" that live next door to them??!!
Posted by: AJJONES | February 09, 2010 at 11:52 AM
i really enjoy reading your article. i hope you will have great success on your new working place. keep your head up and take care
Posted by: Ölbilder | January 25, 2010 at 11:36 PM
A toast to your narrow escape: May humans evolve beyond violence!
Posted by: fuller schmidt | January 25, 2010 at 07:48 PM
Thank heavens you are all safe. As much as I grieve for the people who died and who are suffering now, I am also so glad to know that your lives were spared. SO glad, so very thankful the office moved. Take best of care, dears.
Posted by: Laura | January 25, 2010 at 04:31 PM
I will pray thanks to God for your escape from this. I appreciate your postings here and feel as if I have come to know you.
Posted by: Roberta Taussig | January 25, 2010 at 02:46 PM