While embedded with the 172nd Stryker Brigade, reporter Margaret Friedenauer kept a Web log of her observations. This item was filed Dec. 16, 2005.
Arabic translators are an integral part to the units in communication with the locals. Many of the translators were born and raised in Iraq, having learned English in the United States or at a university.
They go by first names only to protect their identity and some cover their faces when with the U.S. forces.
Deelow is a translator with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment headquarters. He has seen me around the battalion headquarters and last night after a frazzled day visiting polling places and trying in vain to make a phone call to the U.S., he said it looked liked I needed to calm down and come have chai with him.
Even though I should have set to work, he was too perky and convincing to turn down and sitting down in a cafe for a few minutes sounded enough like chilling with friends at a coffee shop that I said yes.
We walked to the Eagles Nest, a popular hangout for other translators on base.
Deelow told me he was 25 years old and grew up north of Mosul. He speaks very fluent English. Although when I said I could use a hot bath after a busy day, he said he’d wait for me next to the porta potties. It took a minute to sort that one out.
Deelow learned a little English in high school he said, but most of it came from watching English movies. He lives on base but is able to visit his family every few months.
The caf� serves chai, the local tea, and has a small store, but is mostly a large socializing hall. It’s the sight of special events like tonight’s salsa night.
The cafe was having a going away party for someone and some catchy Assyrian rap music was playing. We sat with another translator, Mike, and a U.S. solder. They asked how I like the chai tea here and I admitted I am becoming fond of it, likely more addicted to the layer of sugar on the bottom of the glass rather than the tea itself.
But Mike and Deelow explained the tea is a very old tradition and many Iraqis don’t go a day without it. With the sugar and caffeine, Deelow said many Iraqis drink it for the same affect coffee has, but with even more significance.
With only a slight trace of sarcasm, Mike said Iraqis would probably nearly riot were their chai supply cut off. “They don’t get food? Well, OK,” he said. “They don’t get chai? That’s a problem.”