Given the cumulative effects of the sanctions, the economic situation, and travel restrictions, my friend has no chance to be physically present with her sister during this difficult period. Even contact by post or by phone is nearly impossible. Here in Baghdad, my friend and her family, are wearing the black clothing of mourning. Through the course of the visit, I learn that my friend's son has developed an allergy in the past weeks. The taxi to the doctor's office cost 500 Iraqi dinar each way.
Many Iraqi breadwinners earn about that much in an entire month.
For now, I must buy cheese for him. The low table in the sitting room is spread with a simple supper for my friend and her two sons-bread, a boiled egg, a type of molasses made from dates, and the cheese. I guess there are 1,200 dinar left. As I leave the family later that evening, I walk through their neighborhood to reach the main road in order to catch a taxi back to the hotel where I live. It is dark.