Chronicles of A Returnee

I arrived in Baghdad about 10 days ago. I landed at my cousin's house in the Shiite district of Kazimiyah.

Before my arrival, i actually had a bad day leaving Sulaimaniya. You see, the Costums dept. have "suddenly" decided not to allow wires on handbags, even if they were cell phone chargers or short data cables. Nothing was written, however, in this regard anywhere in the Sulaimaniya Airport.

The Iraqi Airways booth at that airport had a couple of Arab Iraqi staff as well as the Kurdish majority of staff. One of the Arab staff members asked me about my "original" area in Baghdad. i was too stupid to answer "Amiriya". One of the Arab Iraqi staff members was standing by minding her own business until she heard me say this. She must have been Shiite and was pissed off when she heard that i came from a Sunni area like Amiriya, and assumed that i was a Sunni. She gave me the worst time, and made sure i get the worst time! She started yelling amidst surprise from myself and people who were around, then she called the security. I maintained extreme calm, and was smiling, cooperative and even obedient!

I was taken by a member of the Kurdish security to a desk along with my bags, and the Kurdish security personnel was very helpful and understanding, and even instructed me how to pack the wires properly, and the problem was solved in no time. I thanked him a lot and was soon on my way to the plane, but still on the look out from that nasty mean Shiite Iraqi Airways staff member. I wonder whether she would have done the same if she knew that i was (supposedly) a Shiite as well?!

I arrived at Baghdad late morning. I arrived to my hometown, which has changed in my eyes forever.
For the first time, i return to my hometown, but not to my home (directly as i used to).
For the first time, my mother was not there to welcome me back, or even throw some candies at me, as a traditional sign of happiness for my safe (and successful) return.

I was picked up by my cousin at a "neutral" area of western Baghdad, and then we went to Kazimiyah, where i finally met my father.

And there, a new page of our history began.