Hi there, we use cookies to improve your experience on our website. You can update your settings by clicking the Privacy policy link at the bottom of the page. Just arrived in Sulaimani or whichever way you decide to spell it one week ago. I'm an EFL teacher here, and have been made to feel extremely welcome - students, local teachers, shopkeepers, traders, taxi drivers - incredibly friendly. As I'm living here, I'd like to get out a bit more in the evening; there is a Chinese restaurant on Salim that I tried, but it seems to be one stop short of being a brothel; certainly I was charged extra for "company" on my bill, which consisted of Chinese waitresses constantly refilling my beer, a distraction I didn't welcome.
I've tried to get in touch with people at the American University, but to no avail. A contact in Kirkuk mentioned a road behind the Uni called "drinking road" locally, and whilst I can't imagine it being the strip at Blackpool or Vegas, take your pick , it sounds interesting. So, does anyone know where I can grab a beer and maybe meet a few westerners to expand my circle here?
There are a few people listed on couchsurfing. You could meet up with one of them perhaps. Luke hello mate I am in southern Iraq - Najaf, Samawah etc and have been living in the middle east since My advice is learn to adapt to the way of life the locals lead. They are not going to change. You are lucky. Kurdistan is more western than most places in Iraq. Chinese restaurnts brothels alcohol etc are ot available in most areas.
Learn to like the local food. Dont think you are hard done by either every chinese restaurant I have been into from Saudi Arabia,to Egypt,to Lebanon,to Iraq etc etc has been different and none fo them are anything like REAL Chinese restaurants in Shanghai or Harbin or even chinatown in Sydney. I also know somechinese who have invested a lot of money in the area I wll find out where they eat and let you know.
Bob H. Did you check out the Lale Zar Hotel? They have a restaurant on the top floor with a view where you can also go for a drink. Attracts international business people and also some young Kurdish people. Depends on your budget, for sure it's not a cheap place for local standards but I enjoyed it. Thanks all; I've found the Lalezar bar, which was nice, although not the easiest of places to meet people.
