Day Two: Wandering around Erbil, IRAQ

Erbil have more around 30,000 years of history and listed as UNESCO World Heritage site. Erbil is the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. A home to the Kurds, a nation of very brave and remarkable men and women, as well as super welcoming and hospitable. Erbil is a city of traditions with fantastic old bazaars, cafés, and historical sites.

This is Erbil Citadel, a fortified settlement on top of an imposing ovoid-shaped tell (a hill created by many generations of people living and rebuilding on the same spot) in the Kurdistan region, Erbil Governorate. NASA said the citadel dates back at least 6,000 years, noting that “its extensive history is embedded in its own ground.” The Erbil Citadel has been passed through Sumerian, Assyrian, Sassanid, Mongol, Christian, and Ottoman hands.

The citadel has been inscribed on the World Heritage List since 21 June 2014. The earliest evidence for occupation of the citadel mound dates to the 5th millennium BC, and possibly earlier. Did I said, it is free to enter into the citadel.

A main street that cuts through the middle takes you past a textile museum to the mosque and a huge Kurdistan flag. We also visit several museums.

Handmade of carpets.

Some tools used by Kurdish people.

The traditional wear of Kurdish people during wedding.

Example how the living room look of Kurdish people.

In the carpets museum.

View of main square from Erbil citadel.

The main square below Erbil citadel is a focus point for the city’s inhabitants to visit. With the citadel as a backdrop and the bazaar next door it is in a fantastic location. This place really comes to life at night when the weather is cooler. Families gather, young couples stroll and people hang out.

Below the citadel and to the west of the main square is the Qaysari bazaar. We loved wandering around here, getting lost in the labyrinth of alleyways and absorbing the sights and smells of this vibrant place.

There are hundreds of traditional stalls selling all kinds of merchandise from clothes, spices, sweets, and jewelry to carpets and handicrafts.

Variety of sweets and baklava.

Different type of honeys and spices.

We also stop by Jalil Khayat Mosque.The mosque is a Sunni Islamic mosque in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan; the largest in the city. The mosque was begun by Jalil Khayat who died in 2005; and the mosque was completed in 2007 by his sons in memory of their father. Unfortunately we were not able to enter as it was all closed up.

Then we went to Shanadar Park to get my postcards. This one of the few places where you can buy postcards in Erbil if you wish to send some.

Inside the park there are cafes, play areas for kids, a large lake and of course the cable cars.

There is also the Shanadar gallery which is designed like a huge cave which has a great viewpoint on the roof and an extensive display of artwork by local artists.

Lastly our tour guide invite us to have lunch with his family. His wife will be cooking us a lunch, a local and homecook Kurdish food. What a lucky day!

The lunch that prepared and cook by the tour guide's wife. The dish look simple but it really taste damn good and yums.

Her wife even asked us to try on her local Kurdish clothes and take a pictures with us. The kindness and hospitality of the people here is overwhelming.

My most memorable experiences of my time in Erbil were the time when I spent sitting and drinking tea with my tour guide. I really love the Kurdish tea.

Love,

Elene