Optimist

I like optimism, especially when it pertains to travel. There is one guidebook publisher that has abundance. The UPS man recently dropped off some new books from Brandt Publishers. Among the titles were two that stood out, Kabul and Baghdad. The info on Baghdad was especially interesting. Included are the cultural dos and don’ts. According to the book Iraqis can be coy. It may take you three times to get a cab driver to accept a tip. You may get pestered about getting visa’s on the street. That I can certainly understand. Hospitality is taken very seriously so to refuse it is insulting. Sounds like common sense.

I hope someday to be sitting at the Babeesh Restaurant with its exceptional service despite the tinned music. Rest assured that my Brandts book will be on the table with earmarked pages.