I got it! part I

The dream has come true… It is the time to count down, it is the time to meet my husband and reunite with him, and simply it is the time to start a new chapter of my life. I have so much to talk about; it was such a trip, a trip to Baghdad. I was told by email to go to Baghdad to the IZ and get my medical tests prior to the VISA interview. So I managed to go on April the 2nd because the test date was on the 4th. My dad and step mom accompanied me to Baghdad; we stayed at my husband's family's house. As the sought day was coming over I prepared my paper works and every thing needed for the tests. After few calls with some people I know, I got me an escort to take me into the IZ (International Zone). My brother in law drove me to the IZ and dropped me there; I found the escort was waiting, after few steps of inspections I was let in…

It was Sunday, the escort had some work to do so he left me at the clinic by my own to do the tests…I was kind of discomfited because I was in a place which was new for me, alone and without an escort…I have almost done with the tests and vaccinations to be surprised with the doctor telling me" I am sorry, the X-ray machine is not working, you have to go to any hospital outside of the IZ and get that done, come back with the results" Grrr I was fuming and boiling, the power I've saved to fight a thief or a flirter I wanted to bring it on that doctor's jaw… I was wondering how should I get out of the IZ, I called A; my escort and asked him, he told me to take a taxi to the suspension bridge and go out to get another taxi to the St. Francis's hospital in Al-Karrada. You know what, being a dependent girl I have never been on a bus or a taxi by my self…my family doesn't let me to do that cuz they are so scared about me, I do look more than good and might look naïve if I get on a taxi cuz I don't know how to deal with a taxi driver. As it is known that %70 of taxi drivers in Iraq are sexual harassers, they put million mirrors around their sight of view so they can peruse their female customers' faces and bodies…their lust is set on fire…darn it. Any way I called my uncle and he told me to take a bus instead of the taxi… I was praying within my self, I wasn't alone I know that Jesus was with me and helping me out. For the first time in my life I raised my hand waving for the coming bus. As I got in I told him to take me to St. Francis's hospital or as they call it "Al-Rahibat" which means "Nuns" because it is run by the nuns. There were about 10 people in that bus so I felt that I am safe. My brain was functioning while the scenes of pedestrians in markets were riveting my eyes; it took me about 10 minutes until I got there. I went in and the doctors at the X-ray section were so polite and kind. They took care of my X-ray paper they put it in the envelop and wished me good luck.

My father –in-law was waiting for me outside cuz he didn't want me to take a taxi back to the IZ. He drove me there again. The same scenario came back I called the escort and you know I ended up in that clinic. The doctors were amazed of how fast and brave I was… (Blushing). I filled out few forms and then I was asked few questions by the doctor about my health history, then I was told to pay $190 for the whole check up while I was told by email to pay 140 dollars only!! Looters. I was done with a big brown envelop in my hands.

To be continued…