Snow in Baghdad!

It snowed in Baghdad last Friday, Jan 11, 2008! The locals say that snow is very rare here in Baghdad, and that it has been many, many years since the last snow. It started snowing during the night. It was rain at first, then turned into a mixture of snow/rain, and finally snow for a brief time. The snow melted as soon as it hit the ground, but it did stick to the palm trees for a short time. By daylight, it was all gone, and nothing but water.

The locals also say that the snow is a "sign" of good things in the coming year! I pray that they are right! Every few days we hear an explosion off in the distance, out in the "red zone" (anywhere outside of the heavily guarded "Green Zone"). When I hear those explosions, I wonder how many people just lost their lives? How many shops were destroyed? How many funerals will take place before this time tomorrow? Why do some people hate so much?

If snow is a good sign, let's have some more!!