Between Iraq And A Hard Place

And we're back! Hannah and Colleen share a bit about travel back and forth to Iraq. It's hotels, airports, and lots of hours on the airplane. But if you are wondering how to get there, we know how! Please send comments and questions to hannah@servantgroup.org and check out our website at www.ServantGroup.org! You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook under Servant Group International.

Hannah and Colleen rant a bit about the very annoying Americans they have met or seen in Iraq or in airports flying to and from Iraq. These are the cons of Americans abroad and then some of the good things we bring along with us too! Join us over at www.ServantGroup.org/Iraq Ask questions or give comments at hannah@servantgroup.org.

Hannah and Colleen traipse through the world of Iraqi Education! What are public schools? What are private schools? How are things run differently? All these questions and MORE! Learn more over at www.ServantGroup.org/Iraq. Ask questions or send comments to hannah@servantgroup.org.

Hannah and Colleen talk about their many encounters with animals in Northern Iraq, from pets to wild animals, zoos and circuses to flocks in the mountains. Hannah really does hate birds as pets, and neither mind the cats and dogs owned by their friends. Really! It's just that the animal situation in Iraq is very different than in the U.S. For more information: www.ServantGroup.org/Iraq Send questions and comments to Hannah@servantgroup.org.

One of our favorite topics about Iraq is all the ELECTRICITY! Also, the lack of it. It's one of those things that we in the U.S. definitely take for granted and see as our right. Not so in Iraq! Power outages are common and wiring is... creative. =) (Also, there is conversation about the electric slide, which has nothing to do with the actual electricity.) For questions, comments, or suggestions email us at hannah@servantgroup.org. To learn more, check out www.ServantGroup.org/Iraq

Hannah and Colleen continue with Director Dave on their jaunt through history. This episode covers from World War I through to almost present day. They also continue the debate about which Carolina is best. Please send any questions about this material to hannah@servantgroup.org. Read more about how you can join us in Iraq at www.ServantGroup.org/Iraq.

Hannah and Colleen have another guest, SGI Director, Dave Dillard, on to talk about the patterns and history of Iraq. Part one takes us from the Garden of Eden up through World War I. Please send any questions about this material to hannah@servantgroup.org. Read more about how you can join us in Iraq at www.ServantGroup.org/Iraq.

Many people think that everyone in Iraq is Muslim. And it's true that the majority are. Some people know of some of the Christians even. But there's a long history and heritage of minority religions in Iraq. Hannah and Colleen ran into a few themselves traveling around the area and Hannah actually did some pretty thorough research on the ones they talk about here: Yezidi, Yarsani, and Zoroastrians.  Learn more in the blog posts Hannah wrote about Mystery religions over on the Servant Group Blogs! https://servantgroup.org/?s=mystery+religion

Hannah and Colleen finally dive into the question you have all really been wondering about. Is it safe? What they really wanted to do was give you the statistics about how likely you are to be killed by car accidents, falling pianos, or even your own clothing... but they didn't. Instead, they chat about guards, guns, blast walls, and how they didn't wear bullet proof vests while living in Northern Iraq. Also, what to do when your school principal hands you an AK47 to move to a different office. VERY IMPORTANT Note: This does not apply to all of Iraq, nor is this in any way a recommendation that you go run willy-nilly into Iraq all by yourself. There are cautions and precautions and they talk about those too. Don't get carried away. To learn more or ask questions you can find us on social media as Servant Group International, our website: www.ServantGroup.org, or you can email us at Hannah@servantgroup.org.

Hannah and Colleen address one of the most commonly asked questions about living in Iraq: "Do you have to cover your head?" And they give a rough overview of women's clothing in the Middle East with a focus on what they saw and wore in Northern Iraq. Then also a brief chat about men's clothing. For traditional Kurdish clothing head to Episode 5! https://between-iraq-and-a-hard-place.podigee.io/5-beacons-have-been-lit Learn more about life in Iraq and how you could join our team at www.ServantGroup.org/Iraq. Help us serve in Nashville, Greece, and Iraq by giving at www.ServantGroup.org/donate.

Hannah and Colleen bring along the amazing and talented Steve, who has been learning and speaking Kurdish for many many years. He shares with us about the history of Kurdish, the various dialects/languages that are part of Kurdish, and some of his own experiences speaking the language. To learn more go to: www.ServantGroup.org

We all know that some words are not easy to translate into other languages. People collect these words and make lists of them (see here and here). But most of the time these words are used quite rarely, like Gokotta -- to wake up early in the morning with the purpose of going outside to hear the first birds sing. It's a beautiful thought, but not terribly practical.  The word we discuss in this podcast is a term that describes something that affects nearly all of Kurdish culture and behavior. Hannah and Colleen give a try at explaining "wasta". There are many more layers to it than this, we promise. There are even some we've never discovered we're sure! But this is enough to get you started.  When your friend says, "Oh, he has wasta," you'll know, rather than staring blankly or doing that thing where you nod and smile but don't know if you should.   Remember to send Hannah your Kurdish language questions or any other questions you might have at hannah@servantgroup.org! You can learn more about SGI at www

Hannah and Colleen tell stories about their many sporting experiences (playing and coaching) in Iraq and how they are both in love with the World Cup, because it is the best. Topics mentioned are Messi, the World Cup, Volleyball, Messi, Michael Jordan, Basketball, Messi, soccer, and, of course, Messi. =D If you'd like to learn more about living and teaching in Iraq, head over to www.ServantGroup.org

What do frogs, fire, and the Odyssey have in common? Hannah and Colleen remember the adventures of each of their first years teaching in Iraq. Thanks to Julia for suggesting this topic. It had us wandering down the road of memories and how both of us had unusually strange first days of school. But moving on from there we talk about some of the biggest differences from American school culture. Please write and send us more questions! hannah@servantgroup.org Or learn more at servantgroup.org!

Hannah and Colleen hesitantly bring you their small understanding of Islamic holidays and how these holidays affected their lives while living in Iraq. We did some research for this one, and there are many interpretations of how and why and when for these holidays and we can't promise that we got it right. But we did experience these celebrations and festivals. And if you go to Iraq, you'll run into them as well. Let us know if you have questions! Email us at hannah@servantgroup.org or check out the Servant Group International Website at www.ServantGroup.org.

When you think about weather in Iraq you probably imagine a hot desert and sand dunes. Is that accurate? Hannah and Colleen take you through their favorite and least favorite seasons of the year (yes, there are seasons!) as well as the political implications of the weather. To learn more or get involved head to ServantGroup.org. Send questions to Hannah@ServantGroup.org.

Hannah and Colleen have guest star and fellow SGI alumnus, Katrina, on to talk about one her favorite things, the bazaar. A place of wonder and mystery, goat heads and amazing bargains, there's no one better to navigate the maze than Katrina. We only wish we could somehow transmit the smells for a more three-dimensional experience. Learn more at www.ServantGroup.org.

Hannah and Colleen take you on a trip to Kurdistan for the biggest and most popular Kurdish holiday. History, clothing, food, dancing, and most importantly... FIRE! To learn more head over to Servant Group.org.

We bring on a guest, our friend and co-conspirator, to talk about friendships and relationships while living in Iraq. This applies not only to friendships with other people in Iraq, but also how we deal with relationships with those back in our home country. Want to learn more? Check out servantgroup.org/iraq/!

Hannah and Colleen start with Valentines Day and move through the year to touch on combined Halloween/Thanksgiving parties and finally the great Christmas massacre! Learn how you can get involved at www.ServantGroup.org!