Through the streets of Baghdad
Updated on 15 March 2008
Guest Iraqi video blogger Last of Iraqis offers a guided tour of home.
The first minute and 45 seconds of the footage shows Bab Al-Mo`atham bazaar and the fruit and vegetable market. It's a very public market that sells stuff much cheaper than other shops and markets.
It is is near the Ministry of Health and many other important facilities, like the forensic medicine and the College of Medicine and Dentistry.
It has been targeted several times with explosions, mortars and suicidal bombers. But, as you can see in the footage, it's crowded. It's like nothing ever happened there.
The rest of the footage - recorded from a car - is of Adhamiya. This was one of the most dangerous districts of Baghdad until the awakening started and things begun to gradually improve.
At the beginning I was driving in Al-Mashatil Street which witnessed unlimited attacks, explosions and confrontation. It was under total control of the insurgents.
I then reach Antar Square which is the gate to Adhamiya. You can see clearly how the square has been rebuilt.
Before it would be a miracle to see two cars in that street at the same time. The buildings are repainted now and the pavement has been repaired.
Then there is an awakening checkpoint and you can see me driving in Omar Street. People know it as Al-Anaam Street and it was a total wreck and all the shops were closed.
Before it would be a miracle to see two cars in that street at the same time. The buildings are repainted now and the pavement has been repaired.
Then there is Siham Street which was also very dangerous. Even I didn't feel safe there and most of the shops were closed. But, as you can see, most have been reopened but they haven't been fixed like the others.
Then I'm driving in what used to be the most dangerous part of Adhamiya which is Al-Imam Street (Abu-Hanifa Street). At its end is Abu-Hanifa Mosque.
Finally, I turn back in the street and head to the old alleys of Adhamiya which is called Al Safina. It was impossible for anyone except the residents to go there because it was under total control of insurgents.
