An American jurnalist article on postwar life in Iraq

“There were other, unexpected costs. One of our two refrigerators broke, so I bought another for $400. In addition to the DSL modem and Internet hub and cords, which together cost more than $500, I had to hire Muhamed’s brother to install everything—another several hundred. We needed desks and chairs and lights and heaters and towels and pillows. When the generator broke—at 5:00 P.M. on the night of the start of the weeklong feast of Eid Al Fitr, meaning we would need a new one that night or else live in darkness for a week—I drove out and bought a refurbished Indian model from a store owner who, sensing my desperation, charged me $5,000 rather than the $3,000 it was worth. When our guests complained that there weren’t enough showers or hot water, I bought a new water heater and paid for a plumber to install a shower downstairs.”

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