SOLO FEMALE IRAQ 2021: OLD BAGHDAD :Markets, Antiques and lovely people. سائحة في شارع المتنبي

#Baghdad2021 #solo female in Iraq #copper market
What an amazing day! Friday is like a Saturday here! met Louis , a couchsurfer i had been in touch with before i came here, he and his friend Mustafa came to pick me up to take me to see a few places today! Friday is a Buzzing day here, Debates in the park by the Tigris river, Poetry debates , everyone was just enjoying their Friday off . i wandered into a couple of coffe/tea cafes...one was Umm Kulthum cafe, where the men were smoking shisha, drinking tea ,playing chess, dominos or smoking shishsa, the other was Old Style Coffee For Al Maqam Al Iraqi ( this type of music is about 400 years old) was busy, but i liked it, the atmosphere was really something else. everyone was so friendly and welcoming to me! it did help that i had the young guys to help with any translation issues...couldv'e spent hours looking through the antique shops and markets! The atmosphere was just lovely and just what a nice way to spend a day off. Got a few looks of course as i stand out lol, mostly people were surprised and just curios to see me.Of course a few selfie sessions , but im used to that now from Pakistan ;) but walking around an area with such history always amazes me! hopefully more tourists will start coming to this amazing friendly country soon...after being through so much, you will find friendly locals, heartwarming moments you will never forget ! again thanks to Louis and Mustafa for showing me around! for 2 young students they sure know where to take someone!

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