Another birthday in Baghdad
Today is my third birthday in Baghdad, as in it’s the third time I’ve spent a birthday in Baghdad as oppose to being three – something that happened 29, distant, years ago.
My first birthday in Iraq, back in 2004, was marked by a big car bomb and lots of reporting on the carnage. The second birthday was last year. Again there were bombs but this time less reporting as media interest in the war had waned.
This year, in contrast, there were no major bomb blasts, reflecting an overall drop in violence across the country over the past 12 months.
Dangers remain, however.
An Iraqi friend was hit in the leg by a stray bullet a couple of days ago while out shopping in Baghdad.
In addition, two Blackhawk helicopters crashed in the capital this evening while attempting to land. One Iraqi solider was killed and two American and two Iraqi soldiers were injured.
Not wanting to make a fuss, I chose not to mention to my team that it was my birthday. Word, however, leaked out and this evening I was greeted by a large cake and a loud chorus of “Happy Birthday”.
[Picture 1: Me blowing out the candles on my birthday cake;
Picture 2: The cake.]
Happy birthday Debbie ,Am one of the interpreters who will never foget how much you defended their case . Hopefully God keeps you safe and happy .
Posted by: | 5 Oct 2008 10:47:59
Happy Birthday x
Posted by: | 6 Oct 2008 17:09:51
Happy Birthday Debbie
Hope you all the best in life and job
All respect and love
Posted by: Aimen | 7 Oct 2008 08:07:33
Hey Happy Birthday!!, No Samoon? :p
Posted by: Zappy Corleone | 8 Oct 2008 09:31:31
Happy Birthday - I hope you got my email. Looking forward to when you can celebrate at home (and I get some of the cake - it looks delicious). Stay safe and hurry home xxx
Posted by: Plum | 8 Oct 2008 12:01:21
Happy Birthday Debs,
May your next 40 years be as happy as your last 40.
Posted by: Ross | 8 Oct 2008 13:49:55
From a US 'chap'; Happy Birthday to you. Thank you for your commitment to report what's happening over there. Stay safe! God bless!
Posted by: Barry | 9 Oct 2008 17:24:42
Happy belated birthday! Hope you got my text. Thanks for being a wonderful bridesmaid last month. Stay safe.
LH
Posted by: Louise H | 9 Oct 2008 22:09:11
......do tell us about the cake, Ms Haynes, there's always a story about the birthday cake.
Posted by: | 14 Oct 2008 14:00:35
Happy birthday
Someone already added 8 years to your age ! So lucky !
Sadly so many Iraqies were unable to live to that tender age of yours _ thanks to all criminal stupidity of politicians ; Iraqies as well as Westerns . No real difference between Saddam and Bush indeed
Happy many years to come and hopefuly will also live in better times amid us Iraqies
Posted by: Mohamed Ahmed | 16 Oct 2008 10:36:03
From a Senior at San Jose State University majoring in Political Science.
Happy Birthday to you Deborah! Thanks for all that you do and sharing your wealth of information with us back in the U.S. It's greatly appreciated. May God keep you safe ALWAYS. :0)
Posted by: Elizabeth V. | 17 Oct 2008 17:20:36
Belated Happy Birthday Deborah, from the Rivetts in Swindon.
Remember us?
Good luck and keep safe.
Posted by: Chris Rivett | 19 Oct 2008 18:45:05