I had my supper in an Iraqi cafe in Stoke last night, in company with people from Iraq,Iran,Somalia,Sudan, Guinee, Congo, Liberia and England(we had had just taken the big drumming band up to play for the closing cerenony of the Manchester Youth Games. The food was good, the management friendly, the pictures of scebery on the wall fabulous, and the musical videos on the big TV screen great (particularly the two Iranian women singing while washing a car, with the usual problems of inadequate and wet clothing...this was made by exiles, naturally, and could not be shown in Iran).
   Anyway, my point is, the tourist trade should get going soon when things have quietened down a bit(surpriaisngly, it has already started, which is a good sign, people are going back to the region to visit family). Anyway, a holidayin north iraq looks a great idea to me(I've selected the noth for the scenery..mountains,lakes, woods etc).