September 10, 2003

IRAQ IS SO DICTATOR-FREE THIS TIME OF YEAR

Where France and Germany fear to tread:

Next month a group of intrepid British holidaymakers will embark on the first postwar tour of Iraq. Ignoring Foreign Office advice, and unable to find insurance cover, the five travellers, including a 70-year-old woman, will leave for Baghdad for what will be a holiday from hell or a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the cradle of civilisation.

Old women: going in. NGOs: running away.

Posted by Tim Blair at September 10, 2003 04:11 PM
Comments

NGOs have run away! Have run away, away.
When danger reared its ugly head they bravely turned their tails and fled, O Brave NGOs!

And, I may add, there was much rejoicing.

Posted by: Katherine at September 10, 2003 at 04:45 PM

So long as they are traders thus as Empire I was founded so the British EmpireII.
Rule Britannia - minus the commies currently in government.

Posted by: d at September 10, 2003 at 04:46 PM

Hell, I might just make it my honeymoon!

Posted by: Marty at September 10, 2003 at 04:54 PM

British holidaymakers?

I didn't realise there was a Baghdad Butlins.

Posted by: ilibcc at September 10, 2003 at 05:37 PM

If they are all old women, and they dress up in burkas, they'll be ok.

Posted by: bai at September 10, 2003 at 05:47 PM

Marketing loglines:

Need a budget holiday? Iraq's your bag, dad!

See Najaf and die

Join Uncle Sam's WMD treasure hunt.
SAVE with our FREE biochem suits!

Posted by: Dave F at September 10, 2003 at 08:01 PM

Actually I'd love to see the sights there as well. Its where it all started after all.

Ironically, a white seventy year old women is in less danger in Baghdad than she would be vacationing in Paris.

Posted by: monkeyboy at September 10, 2003 at 10:50 PM

You'll want to consult the Hobo Traveller, who is finishing up a tour of Iraq and evaluating the situation for "hobos" and travellers. Last time I checked, he described it as an "adventure country", by which he meant that it wasn't precisely safe, but not horribly dangerous. About equivalent to Colombia, I believe he said.

Posted by: Mitch H. at September 11, 2003 at 12:59 AM