Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Amid the distinct words of Arabic and English filling the air, the language of commerce seems to be universally understood by all.
While the Iraqi-run stores may not bear much resemblance to American malls, the flow of goods and money is just as prevalent.
"I like the prices," said Pfc. Timothy Moffitt, Headquarters and Headquarters company, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, engineer section. "You can get stuff cheap."
Another appeal for Soldiers is the array of items not available in America.
Ahmed Jwaad, an Iraqi merchant at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, specializes in such items. While most of his fellow merchants tend to stock their shelves with movies, TV shows, video games and other electronics, Jwaad chose to offer more unique gifts.
"I wanted to share our culture with Americans through flags, old Iraqi money," he said.
The flags, which Jwaad said he and his friend hand-make at home, are his most popular item. Flags can be customized to include unit names, unit patches, unit mottos or even Soldiers' names.
Other unique items include pieces of Iraqi culture, both new and old. Iraqi money from Saddam Hussein's reign, old Iraqi army uniform insignias and other various memorabilia from around the country are all crammed into Jwaad's booth.
"Soldiers find them interesting. They make good memories," said Jwaad, who has been selling his wares for three years.
Smart shoppers can also take advantage of the bartering system in Iraq.
"You can always bargain with them for lower prices," Moffitt said.
Such bargaining, which most Soldiers aren't used to with the fixed prices of American stores, is just one of the cultural differences Soldiers can pick up on by interacting with Iraqi merchants, said Rwaad Alkhaldi, a former Baghdad University student-turned-merchant.
"There are a few differences between our cultures," he said, adding that through exchanging money and goods, both parties can learn about each other.
While not all his potential customers turn into a sale, Alkhaldi said in each interaction he wants to at least show gratitude for all the Soldiers do.
"I really appreciate them," he said. "I want to show them the Iraqi people's kindness."
| Date Taken: |
11.30.2007 |
| Date Posted: |
11.30.2007 16:39 |
| Story ID: |
14324 |
| Location: |
ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: |
404 |
| Downloads: |
390 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, Soldiers shop, experience Iraqi culture at Kalsu, by SGT Kevin Stabinsky, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
