Circuit - Issue 11 - Spring 2017

Spring 2017

The

Women’s Issue

Celebrating the Women of Kurdistan

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Circuit Magazine

Issue 11 - Spring 2017

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Circuit Magazine

Letter From

The Editor

H

ello Circuit Readers!

It’s finally Spring and we’re taking the opportunity this beautiful season to celebrate women.

With Women’s Day in March and Mother’s Day in May, we thought what better time would there be to spend a whole issue of Circuit Magazine highlighting the driven and inspiring variety of women who live and work in Kurdistan. After all, our parent company is “By Women For Women” and our misison is to lift up and support each other.

In this issue you find the opinions of women about what it is to be a woman in Kurdistan whether they’re Kurdish or expat. You’ll learn about women who bring other women together and support their community. You’ll hear from women who rescue animals.

You’ll learn about women who are artists in the literal and figurative sense of the word. You’ll hear from women about the challenges and rewards of being a female business professional running her own business. You’ll learn about the difficulties of work-life balance and just how women push themselves to really “do it all.”

You’ll find out more about events geared toward women, be they nightlife or outdoors, exercising or hanging around chatting.

A new mom myself, the issue was particularly enjoyable for me to put together. I met so many incredible women — some moms, some not, some professionals, some not — and it was extremely uplifting and encouraging.

There’s a lot in this issue for women, but men ought to find it enjoyable as well. We hope to continue to bring you issues with even more themes like this. Let us know how you like it and what you’d like to read about in the future.

Jimmie Collins Editor-in-Chief

An American living in the Kurdistan Region for four years, Jimmie Collins leads a vibrant social life among expats and locals in Erbil. She now calls Erbil home, settling into the city with her husband (Sabah), two massive dogs, a feisty cat, and an infant daughter.

She complains of never having near enough free time to do all the things she loves, however, she always makes time for food and friends.

Circuit Magazine, which she started with her business partners two and a half years ago, is a hobby turned obsession meant to help others get to know Kurdistan's social scene and enjoy themselves as much as she does.

Enjoy the Circuit!

Issue 11 - Spring 2017

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In This Issue Community Page 16 - Women of Kurdistan Page 17 - Angel B: Bringing Together Women and Mothers Page 21 - Gaia’s Story: The Story of a Three-Legged Dog

Culture Page 25 - Dressing for Newroz Page 29 - Nergiz Nawzad:

Combining Work with a

Love for Art Page 31 - Catching Up With Dashni

Health & Beauty Page 34 - Ask Coach Page 35 - Senses Beauty Clinic:

Cryolipolysis Freezing the Fat

Away Page 37 - Kurdistan Gets Inked

Business Page 41 - Q&A: Talking Business With Sara

Vaziri Page 45 - Work-Life Balance: An Active

Labour for Working Moms

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Circuit Magazine

Spring 2017 Food & Drink Page 52 - Jajeek Page 53 - Coleslaw Page 55 - DC Steakhouse: Revamping

the Atmosphere Offering Both

Food and Fun Page 60 - The Vinery: Kurdistan’s First

Wine Cellar

Issue 11: Spring 2017 Editor-in-Chief Jimmie Collins

Travel & Leisure Page 63 - Zoragvan Valley Page 66 - Ladies Only: Events for

Women to Enjoy the

Outdoors Page 69 - Romantic Getaways

Publisher Lana Yaqo Oliver Writers Jimmie Collins Patricia Collins Antigoni Kalaitzi Shara Kenworthey Jeremy Oliver Rezhna Tannia Photographers Jamaine Kato Ahmed Rozhbiany Rezhna Tannia

Nightlife Page 74 - The Real EPIC Page 76 - Ladies Nights: Ladies. Drink.

Free.

Page 79 - Out on the Circuit

Designers Jimmie Collins Saif Bassim Shara Kenworthey Marketing Department Jeremy Oliver Muhanad Ali Sabah Makki Contact: info@party-circuit.net 0750 633 7700 Circuit Magazine is a subsidiary of BWFW Services Company Cover Photo by Jamaine Kato

Issue 11 - Spring 2017

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MARCH Sunday Bella Ranicia - Happy Hours/ Oriental Night DC Steakhouse- Wines around the World High 5 Sports Bar-Buckets of Beer Rotana- Bond- Epic Sundays Tangram Hotel - 360 Lounge - Steak Night T-Bar - Karaoke Night Monday Bella Ranicia -Ladies Night Rotana- Bond- Monday Madness Tangram - 360 Lounge – All you can eat Pizza Night T-Bar - Quiz Night Tuesday Bella Ranicia - Karaoke night High 5 Sports Bar-Ladies Night Rotana- Bond- Ladies Night Tangram - 360 Lounge – Seafood Night T-Bar - Let's Party Wednesday Bella Ranicia - FMDJ DC Steakhouse-Gluhwein Mulled Wine Divan - Qi21 - Up In the Sky Lotus-Open Sushi/wine Rotana- Bond- Quiz Night Tangram - 360 Lounge – Asian Night T-Bar - Girl's Night Out Thursday Bella Ranicia - Mad Thursday DC Steakhouse- DJ Night High 5 Sports Bar-Thirsty Thursday Lotus Club - DJ Ely Palmyra Pub- Ladies Night Rotana- Bond- Thirst-Day Week end party Rotana - Flavours - Seafood Night Tang Chinese - Thursday Night Special Tangram - 360 Lounge - International Live Music T-Bar- DJ Thursday Friday Bella Ranicia - Double Mad Friday High 5 Sports Bar- Chill Out Lotus Club -Hip Hop Rotana -Flavours - Family Friday Brunch Rotana- Bond- Salsa Night Sky Bar- Ladies Night Tangram- 360 Lounge – South American Night T-Bar - Friday Night Party Saturday Bella Ranicia- Happy Hours High 5 Sports Bar- Spoil Yourself Lotus Club - Ladies Night Rotona- Bond- Super Saturdays Tangram Hotel - 360 Lounge –German Night T-Bar- Cocktail Night

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Circuit Magazine

APRIL Sunday

Bella Ranicia - Happy Hours/ Oriental Night DC Steakhouse- Wines around the World High 5 Sports Bar-Buckets of Beer Rotana- Bond- Epic Sundays Tangram Hotel - 360 Lounge - Steak Night T-Bar - Karaoke Night

Monday

Bella Ranicia -Ladies Night Rotana- Bond- Monday Madness Tangram - 360 Lounge – All you can eat Pizza Night T-Bar - Quiz Night

Tuesday

Bella Ranicia - Karaoke night High 5 Sports Bar-Ladies Night Rotana- Bond- Ladies Night Tangram - 360 Lounge – Seafood Night T-Bar - Let's Party

Wednesday

Bella Ranicia - FMDJ DC Steakhouse-Gluhwein Mulled Wine Divan - Qi21 - Up In the Sky Lotus-Open Sushi/wine Rotana- Bond- Quiz Night Tangram - 360 Lounge – Asian Night T-Bar - Girl's Night Out

Thursday

Bella Ranicia - Mad Thursday DC Steakhouse- DJ Night High 5 Sports Bar-Thirsty Thursday Lotus Club - DJ Ely Palmyra Pub- Ladies Night Rotana- Bond- Thirst-Day Week end party Rotana - Flavours - Seafood Night Tang Chinese - Thursday Night Special Tangram - 360 Lounge - International Live Music T-Bar- DJ Thursday

Friday

Bella Ranicia - Double Mad Friday High 5 Sports Bar- Chill Out Lotus Club -Hip Hop Rotana -Flavours - Family Friday Brunch Rotana- Bond- Salsa Night Sky Bar- Ladies Night Tangram- 360 Lounge – South American Night T-Bar - Friday Night Party

Saturday

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Bella Ranicia- Happy Hours High 5 Sports Bar- Spoil Yourself Lotus Club - Ladies Night Rotona- Bond- Super Saturdays Tangram Hotel - 360 Lounge –German Night T-Bar- Cocktail Night

Circuit Magazine

Issue 11 - Spring 2017

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MAY Sunday

Bella Ranicia - Happy Hours/ Oriental Night DC Steakhouse- Wines around the World High 5 Sports Bar-Buckets of Beer Rotana- Bond- Epic Sundays Tangram Hotel - 360 Lounge - Steak Night T-Bar - Karaoke Night

Monday

Bella Ranicia -Ladies Night Rotana- Bond- Monday Madness Tangram - 360 Lounge – All you can eat Pizza Night T-Bar - Quiz Night

Tuesday

Bella Ranicia - Karaoke night High 5 Sports Bar-Ladies Night Rotana- Bond- Ladies Night Tangram - 360 Lounge – Seafood Night T-Bar - Let's Party

Wednesday

Bella Ranicia - FMDJ DC Steakhouse-Gluhwein Mulled Wine Divan - Qi21 - Up In the Sky Lotus-Open Sushi/wine Rotana- Bond- Quiz Night Tangram - 360 Lounge – Asian Night T-Bar - Girl's Night Out

Thursday

Bella Ranicia - Mad Thursday DC Steakhouse- DJ Night High 5 Sports Bar-Thirsty Thursday Lotus Club - DJ Ely Palmyra Pub- Ladies Night Rotana- Bond- Thirst-Day Week end party Rotana - Flavours - Seafood Night Tang Chinese - Thursday Night Special Tangram - 360 Lounge - International Live Music T-Bar- DJ Thursday

Friday

Bella Ranicia - Double Mad Friday High 5 Sports Bar- Chill Out Lotus Club -Hip Hop Rotana -Flavours - Family Friday Brunch Rotana- Bond- Salsa Night Sky Bar- Ladies Night Tangram- 360 Lounge – South American Night T-Bar - Friday Night Party

Saturday

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Bella Ranicia- Happy Hours High 5 Sports Bar- Spoil Yourself Lotus Club - Ladies Night Rotona- Bond- Super Saturdays Tangram Hotel - 360 Lounge –German Night T-Bar- Cocktail Night

Circuit Magazine

Issue 11 - Spring 2017

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‫دع دناتا للسفريات إربيل لتجعل من رحلتك القادمة الرحلة األفضل على اإلطالق‪ .‬نحن متخصصون‬ ‫ً‬ ‫أسعارا مخفضة لرحالت السفر المجموعات وموظفي‬ ‫في حلول سفر الشركات الجماعية ونقدم‬ ‫الرحالت البحرية الستكشاف الغاز والبترول باإلضافة إلى خدمات أخرى تصعب منافستها‪:‬‬ ‫تذاكر طيران دولية في جميع أنحاء العالم‬ ‫أو داخل العراق‬

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‫خدمة تأجير سيارات في جميع أنحاء العالم‬

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‫فنادق عالمية‬ ‫عروض عطالت في جميع أنحاء العالم‬ ‫تأمين على رحالت السفر العالمية‬

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‫‪14‬‬

‫‪Issue 11 - Spring 2017‬‬

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Circuit Magazine

Women of

Community

Kurdistan

“What does it mean to you to be a woman living and working in Kurdistan?”

“Living in Kurdistan as a Western woman means ignoring a lot of things that in your normal life would irritate or down right annoy the hell out of you, for the sake of harmony and a quiet life, but without compromising your principles. You have to learn flexibility in many areas of your life, how to assert yourself diplomatically and to multitask at speed, but this all means that life is never boring and can be quite interesting and fun if you just roll with the punches.”

“Diversity.

A Kurdish refugee growing up American. I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to be in a position where I am able to exchange the views of both ethnicities so that others can also benefit from both sides.

Communication of knowledge is the best gift I can give away.”

Arayish Barzinjee-Martch Kurdish-American 17 years in Kurdistan Co-owner of Counter Trading Co.

Lesley Gaj British 10 years in Kurdistan UKH Director of Libraries

“To me working in Kurdistan as a woman and an educator means that I am leading and inspiring the next generation. Teaching young girls to be strong and independent and letting them know that it’s possible to have a career and a family. In this region I feel it’s necessary for a brighter future.”

Joanne Ball British 4 years in Kurdistan Vice Principal at Cambridge International School “It’s not easy to be a woman in Kurdistan, especially if you’re opinionated. But that does not make it harder.

It only challenges you as a woman to try harder and achieve what you’ve set your mind to, be it getting in a taxi or running a business.”

Hevin Jaff, Kurdish-Dutch 5 years in Kurdistan Owner of House of Glamour

Issue 11 - Spring 2017

“Patriotism.

From being born in a tent in a refugee camp in Iran to living a peaceful life in Denmark almost my whole life, for me it’s an honor to be back and serve my country,”

Chnar Hessin Berwari Kurdish-Danish 4 years in Kurdistan Peshmerga “Living as a foreigner in Kurdistan has been a privilege as I’ve been able to watch this place grow and develop over the years, as well as show its strength in the face of adversity. As a woman here, I’ve been met with respect and acceptance.”

Tori Keso American 10 years in Kurdistan Co-owner of English Services & Learning

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Community

Angel B

Bringing Together Women and Mothers We knew we couldn’t complete an issue about women living and working in Kurdistan without talking to Angelina Miran, a woman who makes it her mission to bring women and mothers together here.

We asked her to tell us about her coming to Kurdistan story and how her Facebook groups —Women’s International Network Erbil and Mothers’ International Network Erbil — got started.

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Circuit Magazine

Hey Circuit, I am Angelina Miran - AKA Babylon FM’s Angel B. I’m 36, marriedto a Kurdish Man, and blessed with two children - one girl, one boy. Originally, I’m from from Windsor, West of London, in the UK. I grew up in a village called Datchet where everybody knows your name. I am mixed race; my mother is Irish and my father Portuguese. I currently work as a radio presenter and creative director for Babylon Media. I have also worked in the Oil industry too.

January 21, 2010, I arrived to Kurdistan with my husband and daughter who was just 5 years old at the time. On route to my in-laws house, the warm air crept through the open car window as I drove past what I now know as Naz City, I had no idea that’s where I would be setting up home for the next 6 years.

The first three months were incredibly lonely for us - I say us I mean my husband, daughter, and I. He was adjusting to being back home. My daughter and I were getting settled into school and I was overwhelmed by all this new Kurdish family I had never met.

One day I needed a pair of tights and I went to (what I now know as) Fahads in Bakhtiary. I literally cried and went and sat in the car the sheer frustration of not being able to ask and be understood. I only wanted a pair of tights! My husband went in and said nope they don’t have them. I went without the tights but knew they must sell tights somewhere?

I began to use social media a whole lot more, found myself always on Skype or Facebook just through utter boredom more than anything. I felt very isolated.

After 10 months, I bumped into a Scottish-Kurdish lady in the Naz City shop and also a Texan lady who had married a Kurdish man too. We walked and talked and I broke down in tears with my frustrations and loneliness. I knew there were more expat ladies out there, who have been here longer than me, I had to find them.

I wanted to reach out yet at the same time hoped someone would reach out to me.

At the time I belonged to EPIC Facebook group and I think I

Issue 11 - Spring 2017

asked a girly question and a guy commented saying this wasn’t the place to ask such a question. October 2010 Women’s International Network Erbil was born (W.I.N.E), my first Facebook Group. I added Sue and Perla to the group and they added all their expat lady friends too. Slowly but surely, day by day the group grew. I posted questions, they posted answers.

There was never a silly question and never a male comment as we are a Ladies-only Group.

As far as events go, we met for coffee on a casual note who ever was free would pop over each others apartment. As the group grew I knew this wouldn’t work meeting in our homes. So I created my first coffee gathering with cake, and the only coffee shop I knew of at that time was Costa-Rica Coffee. First time there were about 8 ladies that turned up. It was liberating to hear they had the same concerns and struggles as me.

I then started to arrange the gatherings on a monthly basis in various hotel lounges and cafes around town, some businesses even provided free refreshments and buffets for the ladies. We’ve had a few successful nights out too.

What I love is seeing all these different ladies from all over the world come together. They are here for many different reasons, some personal, some professional. We all have one thing in common: Kurdistan is our home right now, we chew over the good the bad and the ugly. I always say at every gathering that it’s like free therapy, just women venting, it clears your head, a good gossip.

There are always new faces and I love welcoming new ladies. I have my regular lovelies that come to every meeting. I arrange events around the seasons, I know when to expect a good turn out and when most people travel.

When I became pregnant in 2011 I created the Facebook group, Mothers International Network Erbil, (M.I.N.E) since I was due to have the baby here and I had questions. I needed even more advice. From that I started a mother and toddler group that I co-ran with another expat mother.

It was a success and we did it for 18 months before handing it over to my sister in-law who owns The Fig Club.

W.I.N.E has always been about supporting the ladies that are living and working here. Regardless of if you are a returning Kurd

18

or from any corner of the world, it’s a real mixed bag of ladies with lots of different personalities. I support everyone’s businesses and interests. I have a zero tolerance for bitching. All about the big love and lovely ladies of Erbil Kurdistan.

I currently monitor both groups alone, I read and approve posts and sometimes talk to the ladies before I add them. Just to make sure they are legit. You would be surprised on how many men click to join thinking they will pick up a lady!

I am working on a website and a logo at present with my team in London. I have exciting plans for the future, being more involved in the community. I don’t want to say to much right now, apart from watch this space. I have a great support network from my family and friends both here and back in the UK. search WINE or MINE /w.i.n.e._kurdistan

Shmisani Real Estate For Sales, rentals, and purchases

0750 812 6130

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Circuit Magazine

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Issue 11 - Spring 2017

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Community

Gaia’s Story

By Ms. A.C. Robinson

21

Circuit Magazine

“To the world, you may be one person. But to one person, you may be the world.” – Dr. Seuss That same sentiment is true for animals as well.

This is the story of Gaia. My friend and neighbor, Stella, suggested this name the night Gaia was delivered to my house by the rescue team, PAWS of KURDISTAN. Gaia is the name of the Greek goddess of the earth. I felt it was fitting in her case.

I will back up a little. Not having owned a pet since I was a child in America, and after almost a decade of traveling around Asia and the Middle East, I’ve finally found a place to “settle down” here in Kurdistan. For many reasons, I feel I am finally “home”.

Since I have settled down back here in September 2016, I was on a mission to adopt a kitten. I grew up having many pets as a child as my mother loved animals. So a friend of mine invited me to join the Facebook Group “Buy, Sell, Adopt Pets in Erbil.”

Well, before adopting the kitten, I fell in love with a lovely Husky puppy, formerly known as “Bronx”, but renamed “Tatiana”, aka “Tati” by myself. A few months later I adopted a beautiful grey striped kitten named Lucy. Still following that Facebook group, I had noticed Marianna was very active in rescuing puppies and dogs around Kurdistan and that she was in desperate need of more volunteers to foster these rescued animals. I sent Marianna a message, just to inquire what fostering a puppy or dog entailed. She explained to me that usually fostering would only be for a few weeks until that animal could be adopted out to their forever homes. At the time, there were several puppies in need of a temporary home that I was considering fostering, although with two new babies in my house, I still hadn’t made up my mind.

This is where Gaia came in. January 10th, 2017. I was contacted by Marianna directly maybe a day or two after my initial inquiry regarding an emergency rescue case. There had just been a report of a dog with a severe injury living near an oil refinery somewhere between Erbil and Mosul. Part of the rescue team from PAWS of KURDISTAN, Alena and Ronak, along with Muhammad Alkadry, had been driving around for several hours trying to find this injured dog. Finally found, they brought her back to Erbil to Dr. Soran’s clinic, Pet Vet Clinic.

The dog, a very large yellow Kurdish dog, was only around 10 months old at the time and weighed approximately 30 kilos. It seems that she had been hit by a car when she was a puppy. And with the workers from the refinery unable to afford care for her, her right, front leg had become severely inflamed and deformed, she had a large open wound that could not be healed and the wound was even in the early stages of gangrene. She was extremely weak due to months of neglect and an improper diet, in addition to being in a lot of pain. After a thorough examination, Dr. Soran and his colleagues had decided that there were only two options for Gaia.

The first, a word that us animal lovers hate to hear, was euthanasia, because of the pain she was in and the severity of her injury. The second option, and the only way to save Gaia’s life, was to amputate her injured leg. Since I had agreed to foster Gaia until

Issue 11 - Spring 2017

she became healed, the rescue team were in constant contact with me, making sure that if they went ahead with the amputation, if I’d still be willing and able to care for her. I told them I’d certainly do my best (as this would be my first time fostering a dog, and an injured one at that.)

After the examination that night, Alena brought her to my home. Gaia was still asleep from being put under for examination. She would not have been able to withstand more of the medicine to be kept under for the amputation that same day, so the amputation would have to take place the next day.

I had made a place available for Gaia in my living room which I never use and is separated by a door from the rest of the house. After Alena had left, I remember just staring at Gaia, lying peacefully on my living room floor, but still asleep. I also remember crying. It may seem senseless to hear of a grown woman crying over an injured animal she had never met before, but I wasn’t mentally prepared for what

22

I was to see. Finally Gaia slowly started to wake up and wanted to walk around. The poor girl was in a mass state of confusion, having always been an “outside” dog, she woke to find herself indoors and in a completely different atmosphere away from the life she had always known. However confused she was and however much pain she was in, she was also the most gentle and sweetest dog I had ever run across. I just pet her and talked to her trying to calm her down. Not having much energy of her own, this was an easy enough task. I fed her dog food and gave her water until midnight, when we had to stop due to surgery the next day. She found enough energy to jump up on my sofa, and that same sofa is still her bed ‘til this day!

The real challenge was to occur during and after the amputation surgery. Dr. Soran Qadar as well as his colleagues Dr. Hangaw Omer and Dr. Abubaker Rasul spent almost 7 hours to complete the surgery.

And Mr. Muhammad Alkadry, also a member of PAWS of KURDISTAN was there waiting the entire time. Once the surgery was finished, Muhammad brought Gaia back out to my house along with Dr. Soran.

Dr. Soran taught me how I needed to care for the amputated leg, about removing the dressing, cleaning the amputation site with stitches, and then redressing her leg. He also taught me how and where to give injections as Gaia would need antibiotic injections for nine days after the surgery as well as injections for pain for the first few days. Although he taught me what I needed to know to take care of her, he also came out to my house to change the

23

dressings and give Gaia her injections the first few days after surgery.

Slowly, but surely, Gaia has regained her health and strength. Now, approximately six weeks later, she has had her stitches removed, she no longer needs to have her arm bandaged and we have finally been able to remove the plastic cone from around her neck. Her surgery site is almost completely healed and she has adjusted wonderfully, not even noticing that she is missing a limb. Not to mention, she has gained maybe between 3-5 kilos! Her personality has completely changed as well from shy to very sassy! After her surgery, I needed to keep her inside mostly due to the cold weather, so that she could heal more quickly. However, being an outside dog her entire life, she actually prefers to be outside. Sometimes she will even refuse to eat until I let her out in my yard! And if I am paying more attention to my puppy than her (in her mind), she becomes jealous and turns her back to me! However, she is eating well and has become good friends with my puppy Tati. Of course, for the first week or so, I had to keep Tati separated from Gaia, to allow Gaia to heal as Tati is an extremely energetic puppy, but now the two are almost inseparable. I’ve learned that I must only separate them when the feeding of chicken breast is involved! And as far as my kitty, Lucy, is concerned, Gaia pretty much thinks she is a snack waiting to happen! So I have to be extra careful to keep Lucy put up in my bedroom if Gaia wants to venture into my kitchen.

All in all, I can say that Gaia has been a huge blessing in my life. As Bob Marley once said, “you never

Circuit Magazine

know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.� This is certainly the case with Gaia. I could never have imagined myself physically caring for a disabled dog, especially right after surgery.

But thanks to the volunteers with PAWS of KURDISTAN, Dr. Soran and his team, along with assistance from some very close friends, we were able to bring Gaia back to complete health, and in return, she has shown so much gratitude and love to everyone around her. Even with her sassiness, she is still the gentlest and sweetest dog I have had the pleasure to take care of. I would like to give my sincerest thanks to Marianna, Alena, Ronak, Muhammad Alkadry, Dr. Soran and his team as well as all of the other volunteers with PAWS of KURDISTAN for giving me the opportunity to be a part of Gaia’s healing process.

With each rescue, PAWS is changing the mentality of the next generation to make them realize the importance of saving and improving the lives of helpless puppies and dogs. This is such a rewarding feat, and I strongly encourage everyone to get involved if it is in your means to do so. Whether it be by rescue, donations, fostering, transport between cities or to a vet, or even adoption. This may be your opportunity to become the world, at least to one animal.

PAWS of Kurdistan is currently accepting donations toward the construction and preparation of the first animal shelter in Kurdistan. To donate or to foster or adopt an animal, check out PAWS on social media. /pawsofkurdistan

Issue 11 - Spring 2017

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Dressing for

Newroz

By Rezhna Tannia

Kurdish new year, Newroz, is a wonderful time for celebrating Kurdish culture and tradition.

Every year on March 21st Kurds gather and celebrate the holiday by dressing in traditional clothes, dancing and picnicking outdoors in blooming fields outside the city and high up in the mountains. Kurdish women in Kurdistan as well as abroad look forward to the occasion to celebrate and dress up in traditional colorful garbs with lavish accessories that accompany the outfit. Not only do Kurdish women love dressing-up themselves, they also adore seeing non-Kurds wearing the outfit and insist on raiding their traditional wardrobes for Newroz if you do not have a dress. Kurdish costumes are beautiful, feminine and surprisingly comfortable to wear. Whether this is your first time in Erbil or you’re a long-time veteran of the city, you will want to celebrate the week-long festivities this year by getting a new Kurdish dress custom made before the big day.Â

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Circuit Magazine

Culture The Dress In the past decade some new styles have emerged attempting to modernize the look by simplifying the design and discarding the extra accessories such as hats and shawls. Although there are numerous versions, all Kurdish costumes have at least four parts: wide hammer-like pants (darpe), a long underdress (bin krass), the dress (krass) and either a short jacket (ehlag) or a long coat (kaaw´e).

The pants and underdress are made from breathable cotton material for summer outfits and either velveteen or shimmery polyester for winter outfits. These two pieces, worn underneath, are the same shade as the dress, while the short jacket or coat can be of the same shade or of a complimentary color. The cloth for the long coat are sometimes vibrantly decorated with prints and beads and are worn with a plain dress to emphasize the coat instead of the dress.

There are several different styles for the dress depending on region, but most are fairly similar for the exception of the Iranian styles which are pleated at the waist and worn with a big cloth belt and a shawl.

Shopping for Material If you have ever wandered around inside the main bazaar near the citadel, or the second-hand bazaar called Langa, or the bazaar in Tayirawa district known as Old Ladies bazaar (Bazari Peera Zhin), you may be familiar with the absurd number of textile shops in Erbil.

“We get our materials from Dubai, (South) Korea, China, Pakistan and India,” said one of the shopkeepers in Tayirawa. “Our shop has been open for almost 30 years. I travel abroad and buy new material for the latest fashion trends and sell them to smaller shops. We have another shop in the city that specializes in wholesale,” he said as I purchased my new dress.

The shop, Bakhtyar Textile (Facebook: Kutali Bkhtiyar), is located in Tayirawa on 30 meter road and the shopkeeper speaks fluently in English. This is a great

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shop. The young, friendly shopkeeper speaks a little English and was willing to drop the price after a traditional haggling exchange. I highly recommend visiting their Instagram page and checking out the store in person for a guided shopping experience.

place to shop and carries a wide variety of material at great prices.

Another great place to shop is the famous Barzan Textile located inside the Citadel bazar. The shop has an incredible selection of material with prices ranging from $35-700 USD. It has an Instagram account (jili_kurdi_barzan) with

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more than 300,000 followers and offers a home delivery service for those too lazy to leave their comfy couch. Although the prices for dresses are listed on their Instagram account, you can always negotiate to bring down the price a bit if you are buying the complete outfit from the

Taking it to the Tailor Finding a good tailor is the most challenging part of making a customized Kurdish dress. There is a famous Kurdish designer named Assad Tailor (Bargduri Assad) located in Tayirawa which sews entire outfits from $70-100USD. The service is good, but the price is steep unless you’re looking for a tailor for a wedding dress.

A more affordable option is Kurdish Moda (also known as Emad Xayat after its owner. It is located on the second floor of Rayan Mall in Iskan district. The prices vary by style and the material being sewn ranging from $5080USD. Emad has been designing clothes for 25 years and recently opened another shop in Tayirawa for his growing business.

“We have a lot of customers in the spring and summer because everyone is always going to wedding parties and picnics,” he said joyously when I asked about his expansion. He patiently explained what designs were available for a Kurdish costume: “There are a lot of new designs which only slightly modify the traditional look.

Two classic designs for the dress are the Iranian style which has quarter sleeves and is worn with a shawl and a belt (peshdan w shal), and the traditional style we have here in Erbil and Sulaymania that has long sleeves which we tie in the back.”

He continued to explain “the jacket can be rounded, square or triangular in the front. The rounded jacket is the most popular design.” The coat also had varying styles, with some more complicated in design than others. “Here is the 7-piece, 5-piece, and 3-piece designs—you can see how they differ when you look at the way the pieces are sewn together.”

The pieces refer to the number of parts or cuts in the coat. The 3-piece coat has one cut for the front and back and two cuts for

Circuit Magazine

the sleeves, the 5-piece coat has two cuts for the sleeves, two for the front and one for the back, while the 7-piece has a total of five cuts for the front and back and two for the sleeves.

Emad took the time to explain, draw and show me each of the designs in his shop at Rayan Mall.

If you find a specific style online and show him a picture (as I had) he will be able to draw the design in detail for you and bring it to life in a matter of a few weeks.

Although he does not speak English and you will be forced to use terms like darpe w bin krass, krass, ehlag, and Kaaw´e, a trip to his shop is well worth the effort given his attention to detail and striking resemblance to Alec Baldwin.

Once you have the dress, you’re ready for Newroz. Go to a picnic and take pictures in the sprawling fields and rocky mountains. Then you’re almost Kurdish.

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Nergiz Nawzad Combining Work With A Love For Art

By Jimmie Collins

I first discovered Nergiz Nawzad Baqi, a 28-year-old artist from Sulaimania, on Instagram. A friend shared a picture of one of her paintings and her art immediately stood out to me and I had to know more about the young Kurdish artist. I contacted her and asked her to tell me a little about herself and her art.

Her passion for art began at a very young age; she always wanted to go into further education in this area but she also wanted to study in other areas such as English Language, which she later received a degree in from university.

While in primary school, Nergiz’s love for art became apparent.

She was painting and drawing

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all the time and her artwork was frequently recognized and presented in the school gallery by her teachers. At university (2010); she found herself spending less time on her art since she was so busy with her studies. “I began to notice an emptiness in me for something I once loved, I was no longer painting as often as I used to,” she explained. Gradually, alongside her studies in English, she decided not to give up on her passion for art.

“I took every opportunity during my breaks, my holidays and every spare moment to work on my art - during these wonderful chances I got it felt like with every brushstroke, I was filling back in a piece of my soul.”

Circuit Magazine

Culture

She also began to expand to other mediums. “My artwork no longer lived on just paper. I had progressed onto canvases and was eventually growing my own personal gallery of art at home,” she said.

Soon after graduating from university, Nergiz began working as an interior designer, which she’s been doing now for three years.

“This work allowed me to invest more time and money into my artwork while still working in a different kind of area of art – the art of designing peoples’ home interiors.”

She decided to make art her number one priority in regards to work, and decided to open her own page on various social media platforms in order to share her artwork with the world and hopefully, eventually spread her beloved artwork to homes across the world.

“As art brings me such happiness, I hope to bring this kind of happiness to others.” /nergiz_nawzad

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Catching Up with

DASHNI

By Jimmie Collins

It’s been two years since Dashni Morad graced our cover. We decided we would catch up with her again this spring and find out what she’s been up to and what we can look forward to from this inspiring artist.

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Circuit Magazine

Where and how do you spend most of your time these days?

I am spending a few months in the UK before heading back to Erbil to launch my new projects to empower women and help refugee children. I’m hoping to gather significant aid from schools in the UK, to be delivered to the refugee camps I work with in Kurdistan. Especially with the current offensive on Mosul, the situation has taken a turn for the worst, so I need to make sure this happens fast and effectively.

The idea is to connect children in the UK with refugee children, so that they better understand the situation. We hope that the children can donate books, clothes and toys that would otherwise be thrown away. We’ve already done this in Holland and it worked very well. When we delivered the aid, the children were over the moon with the toys in particular, so I want to make sure I get as many toys as possible this time. It is amazing how compassionate children can be and I think we can learn a lot from them. Also it’s a form of recycling, and the environment is also of paramount importance in everything Green Kids does.

Your new song “Be Free” is a totally different style for you. What was the inspiration behind it and what does it mean?

“Be Free” was the last song I wrote for my upcoming album A Little Light in the Dark. It is a personal song that means a lot to me, I have been through some horrible situations the last few years, besides the fact of being sexually discriminated and exploited by the music industry. The writing process of my album, the pain and struggle, allowed me to connect more with my inner self. I became more of a spiritual person, the track to me has a very spiritual and tribal sound and this new sound gives me peace each time I listen to it. The animation video tells the story and struggles of a girl called Plu. Again this is very personal and means a lot to me but the most important part of the video is that there is HOPE! ​ an you talk to us more about your latest single C “Love Wins”?

“Love Wins” is really a personal message to the common people of the world. Over the last few years, I have spent a lot of time working with refugees, and this has really changed my life and my ambitions.

The message is simply that these refugees, particularly refugee children, are in desperate need of the world’s help. And instead of extending a helping hand, so much of the world has decided, through certain political changes or otherwise, to ignore and distance themselves from the problem. ‘Love Wins’ is a song that promotes love and the notion that love can overcome hate. And although the message is poignant, the song itself is colorful and uplifting.

We hope to raise further awareness to the catastrophe and we hope we make them dance whilst doing it. ​T​he big drive behind this song was my direct exposure to the refugee crisis. So rather than a particular

Issue 11 - Spring 2017

Culture event, it has been a series of heartbreaks that has really led me here today. However, seeing what I have seen has given me more than just inspiration – I think inspiration is flimsy and it comes and goes – my experiences have given me a purpose in life. And ‘Love Wins’ is just one of many steps that I’m going to take, in order to fulfill that purpose. I ​think the music video for “Love Wins” is very inspiring and powerful. It’s a lyric video that includes some footage that we have managed to collect over the years at the refugee camps. I am donating my share of the proceeds from the sales of “Love Wins” to my charity Green Kids which is actively working to improve the living conditions of child refugees in Iraq.

You weren’t producing music for a while, now that you’re back in the game, can we expect a lot of new stuff from you regularly?

2017 promises to be a busy year. I think the highlight will be a documentary I’m working on, that is currently in pre-production. I can’t give too much away, but what I can say is that it will be a timeless women’s rights tale, set across space and time.

There is ​an album coming, also. I like to call it world music. I’ve had a lot of fun mixing sounds from different cultures. I’d describe the album as cultured pop beats with tribal and ethnic influences. But then there’s also a hip hop and electronic element to some of the tracks, so it’s difficult to pigeon hole.

I’m also working on a cartoon series, off the back of my last release ‘Be Free’. The cartoon is called ‘Plu & Her Morning Orbit’ and tells the story of a brave, for once ethnic, girl whom escapes the restraints of her home to pursue her grand destiny.

How are you celebrating Newroz?

I have always celebrated Newroz with family and friends in the Kurdish mountains, with lots of traditional Kurdish food, new Kurdish colorful wear, dancing around fire and playing football with my little brother. This year I have to be creative as I am staying in London campaigning for Green Kids, I am very grateful for all the support I have been receiving in media and press in the UK but also the donations from people here. So being away for the new year is worth it and besides I love my time in London very much, I am inspired everyday by this magical city.

Finally, what does it mean to you to be a woman in Kurdistan?

To be a woman in Kurdistan means that I have to fight harder for my dreams as my gender in my society limits me in every possible way. For me to continue raising awareness for a gender-equal society and using my voice for social change requires from me to see beyond the obstacles, use my will power, and not to FEAR anything nor anyone that tries to silence me. /dashnimoradofficial

/moraddashni

www.greenkids.org.uk

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Need Food?

Groceries Delivered to Your Home or Office Family Market: 0750-278-2478 *Minimum $50 Order for Delivery

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Circuit Magazine

Ask Coach

Health & Beauty

By Jimmie Collins

Given that I’m a new mom, I have some obvious weight to lose and some toning that needs to be done.

Not to say I’m not happy with my body (everyone is beautiful in her or his own way), but I want to be healthy and be able to keep up with my kid once she starts crawling, walking, or running every where. So I asked Coach to put together a plan for me. He told me to try to stick to a low-fat, high-protein diet. For most women this would ideally be around 1200 calories per day, depending on her size. However, with breastfeeding, I’m allowed a bit extra to keep up. Then he helped me jot down an exercise schedule. It’s an intense six days a week, but some of these exercises I can even do at home with my baby. So ladies, here’s a good schedule designed to burn fat and tone muscle.

First Day Cardio 5 min Walking lunges 4*10 Shoulder Press Machine 4*10 Mountain Climbers 3*15 each legs Side Planks (right) 30 sec - total 2 min High Knee Step Up

4*10 Sumo Squat (with weight between legs) 4*10 Cardio 15 mins

Cardio Calf Machine Tricep Dips Machine Smith Machine Lunges Bicycle Crunches ABS Legs Rises Dead Lift Cardio

Second Day Cardio 5 min Lateral lunges 4*10 each side Standing DB Curls 4*12 Thrusters (Squat to Shoulders Press) 4*10 Side Planks (left) 30 sec - total 2 min Jumping Jacks 3*10 rest 10 sec Kick Back Machine 4*12 Cardio 15 min

Cardio Jump squat DB Chest Butterfly Machine Leg press Machine V – Sit – Up (ABS) Jumping Jacks Push Down Triceps Cardio

Cardio Back Squat Seated Rowing Machine Back Urg Forearm plank Jump Squat Chest press machine Cardio

Third Day 5 min 4*10 4*12 4*15 30 sec - total 2 min 3*10 4*12 15 min

Cardio Reverse Lunges Smith Machine Flat Bench Press Kettlebell Swing Abs Machine Jump Squat DB Reverse Fly Machine Cardio

Fourth Day 5 min 4*20 4*10 4*10 4*30 4*15 4*10 15 min Fifth Day 5 min 3*10 4*10 4*12 4*15 3*10 4*12 W 15 min Sixth Day 5 min 3*10 each leg 4*10 4*12 4*20 4*10 4*12 15 min

Got questions for Coach? Email info@erbilonline.info to submit your questions for coach for the Spring issue of Circuit Magazine.

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Health & Beauty

Cryolipolysis Freezing the Fat Away

Marwa Sabbah

Owner of Senses Natural Beauty Senses Natural Beauty Care Center in Erbil is part of a network of health and beauty care centers in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Lebanon. The center offers 35 years of experience in hair and skin care. Marwa is a licensed beauty expert and consultant trained by the American School of Natural Health specializing in skin care, scalp, and hair nutrition.

professional power of natural beauty

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Circuit Magazine

You’ve heard of burning fat, but what about freezing it? Cryolipolysis or the “CoolSculpting” procedure is the world’s newest and number one non-invasive fat-reduction procedure. It’s an innovative way to contour your body by freezing unwanted fat away with no surgery or downtime. With more than 2 million CoolSculpting treatments performed worldwide, people everywhere are getting a better view of themselves, thanks to the one-of-a-kind Cryolipolysis or “CoolSculpting” procedure.

CoolSculpting is a non-surgical procedure that uses a controlled device to freeze and destroy fat.

Fatty areas are gently pinched between the applicator, which cools the area to a temperature that causes fat cells to crystalize and die. This treatment isn’t intended for massive weight loss, but for treating stubborn bulges like love handles, stomach rolls, and arm fat.

The concept that cold lasers can affect fat was a novel idea, and the innovative process was developed and perfected by scientists at Massachusetts General

Issue 11 - Spring 2017

Hospital in Boston, which is a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School.

CoolSculpting safely delivers the precise level of cooling to effectively target the fat cells underneath the skin, gently removing them in a natural way. The fat cells are crystallized during the CoolSculpting treatment then die.

Over time, your body processes the fat naturally and eliminates these cells, leaving a more toned and sculpted you.

At Senses , you will be treated by a professionally trained CoolSculpting specialist to help build you a custom treatment plan for the areas that you want to target. With Cryolipolysis, you can effectively reduce fat on targeted areas of your body. Additional sessions may be required to further your results.

Coolsculpting is completely non-surgical and immediately after your treatment you can return to work and other normal activities.

In the days and weeks that follow your CoolSculpting treatment, your body will naturally process and eliminate the fat cells that

“You may start to see changes as quickly as three weeks after your treatment, and will experience the most dramatic results after two months. But your body will still flush out fat cells and continue doing so for up to four to six months after treatment.” were treated. After the fat cells disappear from your body, they are gone forever.

Coolsculpting is the latest and greatest in terms of effectively eliminating unwanted fat cells in targeted areas. When it comes to Coolsculpting in Erbil, there should only be one treatment center that you think of, Senses. The machines at our clinic offer the most advanced technology available to treat problem areas efficiently, so that you can get the body and look that you’ve always wanted.

Call: 0750 529 8484 or 0750 529 8787 /SensesErbil /Senseshairskincare

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By Shara Kenworthey

There is a special type of happiness in finishing a well-designed, well-executed tattoo. The pride I feel when wiping the last extra ink off a client to reveal a shining and pure piece of art transcends the ache in my back, the cramping in my fingers and the exhausted sigh of my client after hours of pain.

I have been tattooing for two years now, all of my career spent here in Erbil working at Skinzophrenic Tattoos in Ainkawa. The journey I took to become a tattooist was certainly out of the ordinary by Western standards but has afforded me the pursuit of a passion I never thought I would be apart of.

Two years ago, I was designing a half-sleeve tattoo for a friend when UK shop owner and photographer Pete came over to Erbil to capture the migration of refugees.

He and a few other partners were planning to open a studio here and after seeing my drawing, Pete asked if I would like to take up an apprenticeship and learn how to tattoo. The moment was so surreal for me realizing that someone found potential in my talent as an artist, and that I would one day become one of the tattooists I’d always admired.

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The artist who was to become my mentor arrived a few weeks later. Vid is a fantastic black-andgrey tattooist from Lithuania who works at the UK Skinzophrenic Tattoo studio. He agreed to visit the Erbil shop for two months and apprentice me. Vid was a stern, no-bullshit kind of guy who had a reverence for tattooing that led him to be really tough on me, an attitude that helped me become and remain forever critical of myself to ensure fantastic tattoos. If even a small part of a drawing of mine wasn’t perfect, I had to redraw from scratch…and then redraw over multiple times.

I spent my days practicing setting up a tattoo station using the highest standards of cleanliness to ensure hygiene; I watched every tattoo Vid did in order to absorb his technique When I received my first machines from the UK, I felt like this was finally real — feeling the weight of a coil machine in my hand, studying the differences between a machine for lining and shading — all aspects of the tattoo process were thrilling to me.

In the West, apprentices can practice on synthetic skin or pigskin, as it is most similar to human skin, but we had to forego that

luxury here and I mangled the rinds of oranges and grapefruits with my first wobbly lines.

After Vid’s two month stint, another artist was supposed to come take his place and continue my education, but unfortunately no one was willing to come out here and I was thrust out on my own to run the studio. While they were the most stressful months of my life by far, I don’t think I would have learned as quickly as I did by being alone afterwards. I had my short training to rely on, but quickly excelled in line work.

Two years later, I am still learning, as most tattooists will tell you it takes a life time to become a great artist. For me personally, much of that is due to the nature of the tattoos I do here in Erbil. Many people choose small designs, mostly black, as the art hasn’t gained the popularity or reputation that it has in the West.

I love being able to design a custom tattoo for a client, preferably big work that takes multiple sessions, as I feel like my true art is a tattoo I have created all on my own. However I am thankful for every tattoo that comes through our doors as it shows me tattooing is becoming an appreciated art, almost normal, here in parts

Circuit Magazine

Health & Beauty of the Middle East.

When I tell people back home that I tattoo here, they are shocked and full of questions: “what kind of people do you tattoo? what do they get? Are you harassed because of it?” and I am happy to tell them about the incredible clients I have: guys, girls, young, old, Westerners, locals living here and travelers just passing through. Every one has a different story and it’s satisfying to send them off with beautiful art done by a crazy Texan living in Iraq.

A host of questions are thrown my way by the clients themselves, and most of them are curious if tattoos hurt. It certainly isn’t a pleasant feeling, akin to an intense constant scratch, but the location on the body will determine the pain as well as the pain threshold of each individual.

I have had clients cringe from small wrist tattoos that generally don’t hurt, and others that barely bat an eyelid while I grind color into sensitive areas like their inner arm or ribs. Another question I often get asked is “this tattoo is permanent…like, I will have it forever?” Though I wish a semi-permanent ink existed, all of our tattoos are on the wearer for good. That’s why it is important to go by the age-old mantra of the tattoo world: think before you ink. I always tell clients to make sure they think long and hard about a design and that they will be satisfied with it embellishing their body forever.

About a year after I had begun tattooing, I remember seeing for the first time a Kurdish woman adorned with traditional tattoos.

I was going through the arduous process of registering at my new home address, and while sitting at the mukhtar in Ainkawa a small family came in. The husband was in full Kurdish garb and looked quite sun-soaked and hard working. His wife followed behind him trailing their young son by the hand. The woman was young, very slim, with dark and beautiful features. Running down her lip to below her chin were three parallel black lines. She also had black dots on either cheek. I had heard of traditional Kurdish tattoos but

Issue 11 - Spring 2017

never seen them on anyone in my three years here, and was fascinated to finally them on a young woman. I unabashedly stared at her in wonder, and she at me, probably as I was the only Western female i the facility at the time. I wish I could have told her how beautiful I found her facial tattoos and asked about why she chose those and their meaning, but I was soon swept away and had to commit her beauty to memory.

Tattooing in Kurdistan has a long but ill-documented history, but the Indo-European and Iranic cultures of the surrounding regions have a long timeline, so researchers can peace together the comings of permanent inking in Kurdistan. The regional tattoos, or deq, are thought to derive from before Islam and were tattooed on women using a mysterious combination for ink: soot was mixed with the breast-milk of a female child’s mother- it was said that the milk from a mother having born a son would make the tattoo “fester” -as well as the gall bladder liquid of a sheep or goat.

A design is sketched onto the skin with this concoction, then punctures are made in the skin with one or two needles bound

together. Children between the ages of eight and twelve are given these tattoos.

Along with the lines on the face such as I saw, symbols including suns, moons, inverted Vs, dots and vines decorate the faces and hands of young Kurds, most likely reflecting fertility and strength.

During my research, I read that the lines down a woman’s chin is meant to symbolize sweetness flowing from a woman’s mouth as she speaks. A moon next to the eye can mean converting from Yezidism to Islam while retaining beliefs form the former. The practice of deq died out 50 years ago after it started to be seen as old-fashioned. I wonder how that young woman came to have such prominent tattoos?

It is a privilege to tattoo in a region that has such an interesting history of the art, though due to Islam’s view of the practice as haram, it died out in the Kurdistan region. However, so many people here are expressing their enthusiasm for tattooing, and I view each tattoo as a step closer to a richer, more accepted view of this ancient art. /SkinzoIraq

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Wide Variety of Professional Services: Natural and Artificial Nail Care Hair Styling and Hair Cures Bridal Care Makeup, Personal Image Laser Hair Removal

Facial and Special Skincare Treatments Filler & Botox Hair Transplants for eyebrows and boldness Medical Anti-Aging Face Treatments Slimming & Cellulite Therapy Senses Hair Body & Skin Care Center Erbil Senseshairskincare

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professional power of natural beauty

English Village Shopping Center, Ara Towers, Bloc B Ground Floor Next to Holland Bazar 4, Erbil, Kurdistan 00964 750 529 8484 - 00964 750 529 8787

Circuit Magazine

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Business

Talking Business With

Sara Vaziri

By Lana Yaqo Oliver

Sara Vaziri recently opened up her on business, Unique Catering.

In an effort to get to know what it’s like for women running businesses in Kurdistan, we had a few questions for her.

First off, tell us about Unique Catering.

Well, we are a catering company which provides meals for different companies and different occasions. We have a variety of services and recipes and we also create customized packages in order to satisfy the preferences of our clients.

How did you end up with your own business?

As a person who has been working continuously for 8 years I need to use my ability and experiences to perform a role in society which I’m living. I believe that anyone needs to feel useful.

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Plus if you want something to change then you should become the change.

What made you decide on catering?

Food has to do with hospitality and this is a field that I love to work in. Communicating with lots of people on a daily basis while at the same time enjoying their smiles and positive comments regarding the food we serve is such a pleasure. Plus, all these years that I’ve been working I have faced the struggle of “What shall we have for lunch today?” Also in my own personal experience, I can understand how effective a good meal can be on an employee’s efficiency.

What is your background, education, work experience and how do you apply them to your work?

I have my BS in chemical engineering, but I only worked two years in that field as a quality control supervisor in a factory. I found the environment so difficult to stay in as I’m not a person who can survive by repeating the same tasks every day for the rest of my life! I started my career around eight years ago, working in many different positions and fields until the time I realized that hospitality is actually my thing. So I’ve been working in the hospitality industry the last four years.

So what do you like about having your own company versus working for another company?

I’m free to make decisions that fit my profile as an individual and a professional. Working independently is something that can make you more creative and gives you the strength to take more

Circuit Magazine

risks.

The good relationships that I have built all these years with customers and colleagues, calling me for advice or new ideas, proved that I have a natural talent at the hospitality field. Combining this with my knowledge about the way that most of the companies are having their lunch, I found a niche in the market. So I took advantage of the opportunity to do something that makes me happy to work go to work each day.

How did you get the background and skills necessary to run this type of business?

I created a team with people qualified to their fields and I’m using my management skills to develop the business by organizing their duties and putting goals to achieve. So we all feel creative, useful and respected.

What is your management style?

I try to work as a leader not a manager. When we get new clients or we are about to perform new

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ideas, I am always working alongside my team as a team member.

Many people say that it is not good to be too friendly with your employees but I cannot act any differently. I see the results of this management style in the way that my employees work even without my presence. I prefer to build a relationship with them based on trust instead of fear.

What are the biggest issues for running this business?

Different nationalities, cultures, customized diet plans, etc. There is a wide variety of personal taste and needs. At Unique Catering we try to satisfy everyone of them as best as possible.

Where do you see your business in the future?

I own a kind of business that is dependent on the success and workday structure of other businesses. I mean that since one of the fields I’m working on is the business lunch area, I need the surrounding companies for collaboration. My aim within the next years is to expand my services and combine the food with other areas of hospitality, remaining always loyal to quality. I feel like there is always room for personal and professional improvement and I will look to my clients for cues in ways to change. But I’m also mindful that one small mistake can create a very bad reputation within your clients so we’re always working very hard to keep our clients happy.

Why do your customers select you over your competitors?

It’s not exactly about competition for me. I’m always trying to put myself in the customer’s shoes, in order to understand his needs and preferences while I respect their opinion. At the same time, my beliefs are that whatever you give, you take it back. So I choose to give to my customers the best possible quality, loyalty to the schedule that we create together, and, of course, clean, well-cooked food with affordable prices. /uniquecateringerbil

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Circuit Magazine

Why do I need a website?

Can you think of a couple of reasons why you shouldn’t?

PIT Designs.

We create websites.

Issue 11 - Spring 2017

+964 750 516 6477 info@pitdesigns.com www.pitdesigns.com

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Circuit Magazine

Business

Work-Life Balance An Active Labour for Working Moms

By Jimmie Collins

Bahar Jaff led a successful early career in Holland in which she traveled internationally and built up a large network of colleagues throughout the world.

But like many women, she later put her career aside to start a family, a choice she doesn’t regret for one second, but that she admits was very hard. Now she’s not only back to work, but started her own business, a challenge in and of itself, but made that much more difficult trying to strike a decent worklife balance.

Bahar lived and studied in Holland since 1994.

She studied Asian Business Management thinking it might offer courses that were somewhat near the cultures and standards in Kurdistan so that, if she moved back later, she would be prepared.

“I later realized that there’s nothing in common between Asia and the Middle East,” she joked.

After school, she started working in a Dutch company that had a lot of projects abroad.

“I was the PR and Commercial Manager for these projects and I traveled a lot in Africa and China,” she said. “I traveled throughout the world for this

Issue 11 - Spring 2017

job.”

Then she got married. Her husband was living in London at the time, but got a job in Kurdistan, so she dropped everything and moved here to be with him and to follow her dreams in Kurdistan instead.

She got settled into life with her husband in Kurdistan, and then she got pregnant and had a baby. It was all pretty standard, but for a woman who was used to traveling the world for work, it wasn’t easy to just be home and take care of a baby, no matter how much she loved being with her daughter.

“I’ve always been active in my life,” she said. “I did have a lot of business ideas while I was pregnant, but I waited because I didn’t know how I would feel after the baby came.”

Eventually she thought to herself that there are two ways for this: She could turn her back and not follow her dreams and be a stay-at-home-mom and wait for her husband to come home and cook him dinner or she could follow her dreams.

“And I would [be a stay-at-home-mom], also, gladly, but I needed to put more in my life and to add

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meaning and I decided I would do that here, in my country.”

She said being a woman and a working mom is very hard no matter where a woman lives, but she felt it’s particularly difficult in Kurdistan. People had to get used to the fact of a woman like her doing this job in a man’s world.

So when her daughter was about four or five months old, Bahar decided she needed a nanny and to get back on the work horse.

“It was then that I found that getting a nanny through an agency, you have to pay a lot of money up front. I hadn’t done recruitment before, but I’ve been into some of these countries before and see how they do it.” So she decided she would find someone for herself.

“I found a perfect nanny in Indonesia and I brought her here,” Bahar said. “I bought her ticket and when she came, things became much easier for me at home and I had time to open a business.” Her struggle to find the perfect nanny inspired yet another business idea and simultaneously helped her to put her ideas into motion.

It took her about seven months to get her business license because rather than use a lawyer, she decided she had to do it all herself.

“I had to learn how the system worked here in order to build a business myself. I didn’t want to

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rely on others to do it for me,” she said. But there were people who took advantage of the fact that she didn’t know everything and it became frustrating.

“I was getting disappointed every day by people, the system, the mentality, the culture. I thought I knew a lot of things but that wasn’t the case. I’ve learned a lot the last five years being back in Kurdistan.”

But she was also getting a lot of support from the people around her, and eventually, once everyone saw that she was working very hard, even the businessmen began to take her seriously and eventually respected her as a businesswoman.

Her business, Active Labour, was at first an international recruitment company but later it became more local.

“What I had in mind was to bring professional staff like butlers, and nannies, and cleaners,” she said. “In the beginning my thoughts were bringing people from abroad. That was in 2014 and it was exactly three or four weeks before ISIS came close to Kurdistan.”

Like most people starting a business at that time (or even those who had already been in business by then), it was difficult. The first six or seven months there was absolutely no work. But she persevered.

“I was devastated because I had spent a lot of time and energy in getting the license and putting

Circuit Magazine

the papers together,” she said. Despite everything, she looked back at her network from her previous well-traveled career and started making phone calls to a lot of the contacts she had made. She then found there was a lack of quality and really skilled people and these were the workers who were in demand.

“So, I thought instead I would bring skilled laborers and started working on putting together joint ventures with international companies.”

Along the way, she’s adapted and added services as the needs in the region have changed. Active Labour has started offering payroll, project management, HR management, and research services.

Her agency now boasts 40 clients. The last year and a half have been hard work because she’s had to prove herself and her company, but she’s happy where she is today and it was her adaptability and dominating personality that probably helped get her there.

However, the most challenging part of it all, weren’t problems with the mentality, and culture, and the system, or even the damage to the economy

by ISIS. “That was all nothing in front of the challenge of being a loving, caring mom. It kills me from inside being away from her,” Bahar said. “But then at the same time I’m eager to build and show my daughter that women can make businesses. I want her to grow to be independent and know that she can do everything herself. “ But one of the benefits of being a working mom who runs her own business is that she can have a

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sort of flexibility to work both aspects of her life together.

“I miss my daughter every day the minute I drop her off at the kindergarten.” Bahar says she even schedules her appointments around opportunities to be with her daughter.

“I have my lunches with her and I make sure I can put her to bed. I take her to school. These are the small things that matter to me. I don’t want to leave her all day with the nanny or my parents. I want to be there with her.”

She says no matter what, though, she always felt like it’s not enough to give her what she needs fully.

“But I think that’s the dilemma of every mother.

It gives me support every time I listen to the other mommies who say the same things. Thank goodness I’m not the only one.”

In the end, Bahar describes herself as a woman who is proud to say that she has her own business.

She’s proud to make time for her daughter and also to make time for her community, collecting donations for refugees or the poor each month and fostering stray animals who need homes.

She is one of five independent sisters, two of which are also business owners in Kurdistan. And that, she says, has value, not just for her, but for her daughter and for Kurdistan.

“What I’m doing as a woman is I’m making a point that we can also do business,” she said. “I have no regrets. I’m proud. “ /ActiveLabour

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Food & Drink

Jajeek

By Jimmie Collins

Jajeek (or Tzatziki if you prefer the Greek word) is a super easy “salad” that goes great on its own with bread or alongside grilled meats. The cucumber yogurt salad lends itself to plenty of variation for those who like to mess around and modify the flavors to their preferences. I sometimes use mint, sometimes use dill, and sometimes use both, it really depends on what I plan to eat it with. I also don’t usually use lemon. Sometimes I peel the cucumber, sometimes I don’t. Really, make it how you like it but here is a good recipe to get you started.

Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup cucumber 2 cloves of garlic 2 tablespoons quality extra virgin olive oil 1 x 500g tub of strained Greek yoghurt 1 small bunch of fresh dill a few sprigs of fresh mint 1 lemon

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Slice the cucumber in half lengthways and cut or scrape out the seeds – this is where most of the water content is. Grate the remaining cucumber.

Place the grated cucumber in a sieve, rest it on a bowl and add some sea salt. Give it a stir, and leave to drain for a few hours, or overnight in the fridge.

Stir now and again, helping it along by pushing the liquid out with a spoon.

In the meantime, peel and finely grate or crush the garlic, then combine with the oil in a large bowl. You can allow this to sit for a few hours to mellow out the pungency, but it’s not essential.

When most of the liquid has drained from the grated cucumber, spread it out over a tea towel and pat dry. Combine with the garlic mixture, then stir through the yoghurt until evenly distributed.

Finely chop the dill and mint leaves (or you can choose one or the other), then fold through the yoghurt mixture along with a squeeze of lemon juice and the dried mint (if using). Season with salt to taste.

Best served cold with warm naan or alongside salad and grilled meats.

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Food & Drink

Coleslaw

By JimmieCollins

Coleslaw is pretty much a staple at Southern barbecues. You slow-smoke meat for hours but you throw together some quickie sides that will only help to enhance the flavors later. Some people use green cabbage, some use purple, some use both.

Most coleslaws have mayonnaise, but I’ve been known to replace with yogurt and olive oil to lighten it up. (Mayonnaise creeps me out for some reason, but I also recognize it as a sometimes necessary evil.) Some people eat their coleslaw all on its own as a side and still others plop it on top of their barbecued meats in a sandwich. Here’s another good starter recipe for you to enjoy.

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Ingredients: 6 cups shredded cabbage (about half a head of cabbage) 1 cup shredded carrot 1 cup mayonnaise ¼ cup white wine vinegar 1 tsp. celery seed ¼ cup sugar salt and pepper In a large bowl, combine cabbage and carrots. In a smaller bowl, make dressing by combining mayonnaise, vinegar, celery seed, sugar, salt and pepper.

Toss dressing into cabbage mixture and let chill.

Serve in a family style bowl.

Circuit Magazine

Erbil

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Food & Drink

DC Steakhouse

Revamping the Atmosphere Offering Both Food and Fun

By Antigoni Kalaitzi

When it comes to meat your palate relishes the tastiest, juiciest and most tender of steaks. Taste is subjective to the diner, but juiciness and tenderness is what diners expect from a good steakhouse.

It was four years ago, when Allam Karkafi, the owner of DC Steakhouse in Dream City, cut the ribbon of the first American-style steakhouse in Erbil.

Now DC Steakhouse is the quickest and most common answer to the often-asked question, “Where do I get a good steak?” Specialized in American-style steaks and a steakhouse atmosphere, the restaurant has plenty on offer to satisfy any taste and budget.

In its centralized location, DC Steakhouse offers two different venues of gastronomy and entertainment under one roof. The main dining hall represents the steakhouse, while Elea VIP Cigar Lounge inside is the perfect place for true lovers of cigars and premium drinks. Elea offers properly-stored cigars originating from Cuba, premium rums, cognacs and whiskies that are difficult or even impossible to find in any other place in Erbil since most of them are special ordered from abroad. Also, a wide variety of premium wines from around the world are beautifully stored on wooden wine racks and specialized wine coolers.

The Greek management team, upon their arrival, took advantage of Allam’s brilliant idea to create a VIP cigar lounge in town by giving the place the necessary touch of coziness and luxury, in order to fulfill all expectations. Comfy armchairs with puffy cushions for that homey atmosphere, candles, vintage decorative ornaments and a relaxing mix of jazz, blues and soul tunes.

As true Greeks, Jenny and Andreas continuously strive to offer their customers the best possible quality topped with the famous Greek hospitality.

They don’t only take personal care of everything, but they are always trying to find new ideas to make your experience at DC Steakhouse a momentous one. The most brilliant of them? For the very first time in Kurdistan, they brought Greek musicians to

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play live every night at the restaurant. But Friday afternoons are going to be the shooters! Each Friday you can enjoy their “Zorba Fridays” with the traditional tune of the Greek bouzouki soothing your ears, while your glass never runs out of authentic, premium ouzo from Greece. Plus you will have the opportunity to taste the most delicious and traditional Greek mezze galore, as they serve more than 15 different dishes each time, and they add new delicious recipes every week.

When you enter the door, the waiters are always browsing around smiling and taking care of every single detail. After the first warm welcome, the eye is caught prisoner by the freshness and sweetness of the recently renewed decoration. Resembling an interior garden with real olive trees planted throughout the area, the dinner hall is the ideal place for a leisurely lunch with family or friends, or even a business lunch. Jenny, the managing director of DC Steakhouse, is always around to greet the customers with a wide smile. At the same time, you can feel the sweet smell of the grill tickling your nose and making your mouth water! As the day progresses and the sun sets, the little lanterns on the trees come on and there is no better place than this for a romantic dinner with your other half or a relaxed stroll for drinks with friends or colleagues.

But we cannot speak about a steakhouse without mentioning the steaks, so let’s get to the meat of this! Always keeping the steaks as the backbone of

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the menu, the new chef who has just arrived, created some new exclusive recipes based on the Mediterranean diet and a creative bit of gastronomy.

Refreshing salads including the original Greek salad, a Cretan delicacy called Dakos that tastes like Greece in every bite, delicious Caesar salad drizzled with the authentic Caesar dressing and homemade croutons, or the brand new Very Berry salad that is definitely something new and worthy to try. There are many more dishes to try but it is better not to mention, as my mouth already started craving some of them!

Appetizers are both smoky hot and refreshing.

Marinated Buffalo wings served with blue cheese dip, cleaned shrimps cooked in a delightful creamy saffron sauce, tartare with crab in an amazingly light orange and mayonnaise sauce.

The grill offers premium cuts of tender filet mignon, rib-eye steaks with abundant fat marbling, succulent New York strips, and of course the king of the steaks T-Bone! A steak that hits that sweet spot between the tenderness of a filet and the marbled richness of a striploin! All cooked according to your personal taste from rare to well done. To be honest, I’m so glad that they actually do cook the steaks exactly as you ask them, cause I’m a little “chicken” when it comes to a steak. I want them tender and juicy but I’m always afraid to order something less than (extremely) well done! And in case that you like it saucy, they have several sauces to choose from.

Circuit Magazine

Amazing cracked pepper sauce, delicious mushroom sauce, smoky BBQ and cream made of mustard, along with steamed vegetables and a selection of baked, fried, mashed or roasted potatoes.

Regarding their signature dishes, you should absolutely try the Jack Daniel’s dishes. Tender stripes of chicken filet on skewers, oven cooked wings, marinated chicken on the grill, or New York strip steak.

All of them, tossed, basted, or infused with their special Jack Daniel’s savory glaze!

And for the times you want to cheat a little bit on your relationship with steaks, you can always turn a page on the menu and read the gourmet selections.

Simmered Arborio risotto infused with authentic truffle oil from Italy and freshly chopped mushrooms, al dente linguine with fresh salmon, dill and a splash of vodka for the pasta lovers or duck breast with honey – red wine sauce and delectable duck confit, slowly simmered in its own fat for two hours, only for demanding palates.

Don’t you think that after this culinary experience you should satisfy your sweet tooth? If you are a chocolate lover then my suggestion is the “Death by chocolate”. Two kinds of rich chocolate, wrapped in a fine crust and hot molten chocolate seeping out for a wonderfully indulgent and rich dessert! Oh my!

As for the prices? Reasonable ones for such a good quality, with great offers coming out every now and then!

Are you still reading the article actually? Because if I was you I would already be on my way for some steaks and drinks! /DcSteakhouse

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Food & Drink

The Vinery Kurdistan’s First Wine Cellar

By Patricia Collins

Your breathe will be taken away when you walk into The Vinery and get a view of the beautiful wooden walls, floors and shelves.

Located on two-side road in Ainkawa, The Vinery is the first wine cellar located in Kurdistan..

While not large the location houses a wine cellar, cigar lounge and premium spirits selection, all areas of which are decked out in beautiful oaks and walnuts. The wine cellar is situated between the cigar lounge and the spirits section with floor to ceiling wood and a magnificent oval entrance from two sides, wall to wall wooden shelves and a massive 12-seat table spanning the entire room.

Each wall is filled with shelves of a variety of brands of premium wines, spirits and cigars available for purchase.

Rodrique Ibrahim, the general

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manager of Intersea Distributors which owns and operates The Vinery, has a vision of using the place to educate people in the region about the different varieties of premium wines from around the world and offer more choices to the region “The Vinery� will be offering prestigious brands of wines from countries such as France, Italy, America, Spain, and Lebanon just to name a few. They plan to offer wine tasting classes seated around the large 12-seat table, which will be scheduled on a monthly basis and also available upon request for private parties.

Patrons will be able to gather information to increase their knowledge and understanding about wines in general and to learn more about the flavours that make up each vintage of wine and what makes them unique.

The well-trained and knowledgeable staff is there to help you choose just right wine that is the most pleasing to your palette and answer questions you might have

English Village, Ara Towers, Erbil Open Noon to Midnight Delivery 0750 040 0601

The coupons are valid for 3 months only

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to help make that decision.

Premium spirits, cigars and accessories are also on offer at The Vinery. The cigar lounge, equipped with a walk in humidifier, contains premium cigars and accessories, and is located just off the wine room for your onsite enjoyment of a glass of wine, cigar or both.

All products are offered for gifting purpose all during the year. All wines are sold by the bottle or case. The wooden cases can be a mixed variety of wines or a case of 6 of the same wine if you happen to fall in love with one. The Vinery will offer a wine delivery service, for either a bottle or a whole case, for your home pleasure. The Vinery also offers storage solutions for your convenience if you do not have available space at home to store your new favorite wines properly.

Stop in and enjoy a glass of wine and a chat with the knowledgeable team. /The.Vinery.Erbil

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Travel & Leisure

Zoragvan Valley Kurdistan has some amazing nature to enjoy and a group from Erbil, Rock Your Bones, headed by Rekan Rasool, is always trekking to new and adventurous areas of the region. If you want to see places you have never even heard of and that half the time you wouldn’t even find on a map, definitely hook up with Rock Your Bones. Then you can visit fantastic places like Zoragvan Valley, which boasts the best of Kurdistan in rocky mountains, valleys, waterfalls, natural pools, and forests.

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Travel & Leisure

Ladies Only Events for Women to Enjoy the Outdoors Photos Provided by Rock Your Bones

By Rekan Rasool and Jimmie Collins

There are not many activities out there that are geared entirely toward women and once you start looking at the great outdoors, there are even fewer. But Rekan Rasool, from Rock Your Bones, had the idea of a Women’s Only outdoor activity once a month.

“This type of activity came to my mind after I realize that there are many ladies in our Facebook group who are interested in our events but because of the culture or family pressure, they can’t join,” he said. “It’s also possible that they were not so comfortable during a past event that was a mixed group for whatever reason so they stopped coming.”

Some of the women started to request special events for that were limited to women and their family members. So Rekan de-

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cided to create a monthly event especially for ladies.

The first Ladies-only event was hiking in October 2016 and was a very good experience.

While it is “Ladies only”, Rekan goes with the women, operating as a guide and a guard of sorts, but her hangs a bit away from the group so the women can be comfortable and free in the outdoors.

“We have some well-trusted and experienced ladies which are our friends. They’ll often lead the group with us,” he said.

“So many ladies are welcoming this idea. For some of the ladies who joined the first event, it was the first time hiking in their lives ,which was a great experience for them and us as well.”

Keep an eye on the Rock Your Bones Facebook Group for information on women’s only and other events. Women’s only events will take place monthly, but ladies are, of course, welcome on all hikes. /rockurbones

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Circuit Magazine

SMB Group is a privately owned Kurdish company incorporated and based in Erbil the capital of the Kurdish Autonomous Region of Iraq. It specialises in the provision of bespoke customer orientated solutions for Civil Works, Construction, Project Logistic, Waste Management, Catering and Oil Field Technical Services.

SMB Group is committed to contributing to the economic development of the communities it operates in, through social investment, education and skills development, local sourcing of equipment, and employing local workers - in Kurdistan approximately 98% of their workforce are Kurdish/Iraqi nationals. The company have a demonstrable track record of working with local communities and their leadership to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes and to ensure there is no adverse impact on its client’s operational activities.

HASA Security is a Kurdish owned company that provides a bespoke security solution, to give organisations that peace of mind when working in complex environments. Using locally sourced people, equipment and materials ensures communities benefit from projects but also improves Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals for clients. Current client sectors include Oil and Gas, NGOs, Local Government, Banking, Hospitality from Static Guards to Embedded Security Consultants.

All projects are monitored by a highly experienced management team from the Security Operations Centre based in Erbil, acting as a hub for standard operational functions such as vehicle tracking but also available as an Emergency Control Centre.

HASA Security involves their clients from the very beginning of the business relationships to ensure that their needs are met in a manner that is relevant, thorough and cost effective. From start to finish, planning to deployment, HASA treats organisations and individuals with discretion, loyalty, confidentiality and acting always within the framework of national and international laws.

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International Experience Local Presence

www.smbgroup-iq.com info@smbgroup-iq.com Tel: +964 (0) 771 826 1454 MNR Company No: 781

www.hasasecurity.com info@hasasecurity.com Tel: +964 (0) 750 076 9583 MNR Company No: 1686 68

Romantic Getaways We asked dnata Travel to help us put together some ideal destinations for a romantic getaway with our partners. Spend this Spring with someone you love in one of this unique and relaxing vacation spots. email : holidaysiraq@dnata.travel tel : (0) 75101 00501

Capture the essence of the Middle East

UAE

As one of the world’s fastest growing tourist destinations, the UAE has all the ingredients for an unforgettable honeymoon: sun, sand, sea, sports, supreme shopping, luxurious hotels and restaurants, captivating cultures and welcoming people.

Epic journeys don’t come bigger than this…step into your future.

Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates Ideally situated adjacent to Ski Dubai, you will indulge in an unrivalled, luxurious alpine experience in Dubai at Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates. Stay in one of the ski chalets with cozy wintery ambience enchanted with log fires. The hotel offers limitless possibilities for world-class shopping, dining and entertainment for you and your loved one with facilities including a luxury spa and infinity pool.

Hotel facilities: 5 restaurants & lounges • Swimming pool • Fitness centre • Spa • Tennis court • Executive Lounge Honeymoon extras: Free upgrade from Deluxe to Grand Deluxe • Flowers, card and a honeymoon cake • Rose petals in bed & bathroom • Stay in one of our Aspen Chalets & enjoy complimentary butler service • 20% discount off food and beverage • 20% discount off spa Aspen Pool Chalet Bedroom

Aspen Pool Chalet Bathroom

Palazzo Versace Dubai Palazzo Versace Dubai is the centrepiece of a premium waterfront spot on the famed Dubai Creek surrounded by lush, landscaped gardens.

Located near the city’s top business and entertainment districts, the luxury hotel is architecturally stunning with ceilings hand-detailed in gold, to the finest marbles and mosaics. Guests can indulge in a leisurely treatment at the hotel’s signature spa, take a dip in any of the three outdoor pools, or dine at one of the celebrated on-site restaurants.

Hotel lobby Executive Suite

Hotel facilities: 8 Versace-themed restaurants & lounges • Swimming pools • Spa • 24‑hour fitness centre • Versace boutiques Honeymoon extras: Rose petals • Cake • Card

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Ultimate paradise island

BALI

Travel & Leisure

Bali is one of Indonesia’s most popular travel destinations and with good reason – those beaches, those massages, those verdant views – but it really is an enormous and flavourful wonderland to discover. Bali is perfect for honeymooners seeking a .combination of adventure, romance and serenity

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan

Bulgari Resort Bali

Hidden in a lush paradise beside the Ayung River, Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan sets the ideal venue for the perfect honeymoon. Your arrival at the resort is a breathtaking experience; cross a wooden footbridge above a lush valley and arrive at a circular lotus pond that seems magically suspended in space. Relax in ultra-private accommodation – with just 60 suites and villas. Dine on authentic local cuisine at one of two restaurants and pamper yourself with Balinese ayurveda-inspired spa treatments.

Hotel facilities: 3 restaurants • Split level swimming pool • Spa • Fitness centre • Biking • Hiking • Guided walks Honeymoon extras: Tropical flower bouquet on arrival • Honeymoon cake • Flower petal bath

Uniquely positioned on a cliff of undisputable beauty and surrounded by unspoiled nature, Bulgari Resort Bali is the most exclusive destination for a memorable honeymoon. Its sophisticated contemporary design blending traditional Balinese style with dramatic contemporary Italian design, will create a unique and charming experience.

Hotel facilities: 4 restaurants & lounges • Swimming pool • Spa • Fitness centre Honeymoon extras: Complimentary room upgrade • Complimentary 3-course lunch in La Spiaggia • Complimentary 60 min couple’s massage • Complimentary flower bath and honeymoon pastry dish • Packing and unpacking service • Bulgari bathroom amenities • Beach bag and slippers

Picturesque

AUSTRIA Austria bounces around the spectrum of delights – winter or summer, indoors or outdoors, classic or contemporary. Its scenery is nothing short of spectacular – alpine mountains, shimmering lakes, flower-flecked meadows – while urban centres beguile with ornate churches and palaces alongside modern art galleries and .charismatic, cafe-crammed backstreets

Vienna - Salzburg - Zell am See This tour will have you visiting all the jewels of Austria. Austria is not only a prime destination for skiers, but it’s also a magnet for those honeymooners who love a good dose of history, culture, shopping and gourmet adventure.

Private arrival transfer from Vienna airport to Palais Hansen Kempinski • 3 nights in Vienna at Palais Hansen Kempinski • Vienna city tour including visit of Schoenbrunn castle • Private transfer to Salzburg • 3 nights in Salzburg at Hotel Sacher Salzburg • Mozart City tour & Mozart residence • Private transfer to Zell am See • 3 nights in Zell am See at Grand Hotel Zell am See • Panoramic cruise on Zeller Lake • Private transfer from Grand Hotel Zell am See to Vienna airport

Schonbuhel Castle, Austria

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y a d y r e v

e

S T R O P S VE

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In the Erbil Grand Hotel Ainkawa Rd. and Gulan St. Intersection

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Circuit Magazine

Nightlife

BBQ season is coming up and some of the best BBQ’s in Erbil take place at Ayas Murad’s house in Ankawa on Fridays, and many of the oil companies also have private barbecue parties that I rarely get invited to. But over the next few months I will eliminate the need with a new concept.

I love BBQ and I’ve started writing the business plan for a Barbecue Complex called “Elliot’s Oil Patch.” Nothing is materialized yet, but consider this fair warning. I’m going forward with the plan, and soon there will be a new smokehouse and beer garden in town with slow roasted meats, and a 50-station salad bar and custom micro-brew selection of beer.

The Circuit team is expanding so you will see new people merging with our regular pack of wolves out on the Circuit, burning up the dance floor, and socializing with the masses. In fact, we hired someone for our Sulaimania — SPICE — group, and we’re about to drop our SPICE 5000 party sometime during this quarter. If you want to book tickets, visit our website www.party-circuit.com.

We have now expanded our services to include not only our groups and the magazine, but we’re also now offering social media management, advertising placement in the “Kurdistan Guide” App, commercial video and audio production, event photography, lighting sound, performance booking, DJ’s laser lighting, event management, graphic design, and tons of other services to stay competitive in the Kurdistan market!

You will notice in this issue a lot of new sponsors, and with new sponsors come a lot of great new events, and daily theme nights. If you’re not a member of our secret group — EPIC, just add me as a friend, I’m “Jeremy Abu Elliot Oliver” on Facebook, and I will add you into the group.

Here is the news you’ve been waiting for! We are now cooperating with two independent events companies in the Kurdistan Region for all of your special events needs. The first is Anonymous. They are a full-service events company that provides everything from A-Z. You can visit their page at www.party-circuit.com/anonymous for more information, tickets, contact details, and major upcoming events.

The second is Noise Squad, a group that has always been around providing light, DJs, sound equipment, etc., that is now a full-service events company that offers everything you need for your major event.

You can visit their page for more information, upcoming events, contact info, ticket booking, etc. at www.party-circuit.com/noise-squad.

A special thank you to all of our regular sponsors and members, and those we have recently gained for their continued support and friendship throughout the years, and we look forward to continuing a long and fruitful relationship with you on the Circuit.

Abu Elliot

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Jeremy Oliver Creator of EPIC A Texan living in the Kurdistan Region for 8 years, Jeremy Oliver is the "Original EPIC." He lives a crazy life, day and night, in Erbil hosting a variety of social events all throughout town, while juggling his time with his lovely wife Lana, his beautiful son Elliot, his doggy Poopa, and his close friends. He never has free time and Pat keeps his schedule full with appointments with companies interested in advertising with Circuit and EPIC. Circuit Magazine and "The Real EPIC" group on Facebook are the warm chocolate center of his existence though he and his wife Lana actually are involved in 11 companies ranging from security consulting to engineering, construction, and waste management. He is always open to a good time and if you spend time in Erbil it is only a matter of time before you see his gleaming smile from across the bar!

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Nightlife

Ladies Drink Free

By Patricia Collins

Ladies’ nights in Erbil, what a concept! There is nothing I like more than a good ladies’ night which you can find almost every night of the week somewhere around town. Ladies, take my advice and take full advantage of these nights, they were invented with us in mind. Besides where else can you drink, dance and let your spirit free for free!

To me, dancing is the main course of any ladies’ night. I, for one, love to dance no matter what type of music is playing. Once the DJ gets the music rocking and I have taken advantage of a few of the free drinks that are on offer (Corona is my choice of beverage with a shot of tequila to top it off), then I get ready to dance.

First you will see everyone’s heads start to bob. Next the bodies start to move to the beat. It’s at this point that I start moving toward the dance floor and along the way convince others to join me. I am a people watcher, and from what I’ve seen most people want to dance but just lack the confidence they need to make it happen, so a little convincing from someone might be helpful, whether it be from me or the friend next to them. It’s less scary

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to have someone out on the floor with you. So go ahead and make that first move, but once you are out there you will start to feel free and have the confidence you thought you needed to finally start enjoying the night to the fullest and before long the dance floor is full of happy dancing people.

Every nightlife here venue has a dance floor of some sort but, if by chance you don’t see one it’s my motto that “Where there is music, there is some place to dance.”

Look around and find any space that will fit the purpose and then, Bang! an impromptu dance floor has appeared. Done! I feel life is just too short to sit in your seat and watch, It’s much more exciting to take advantage of every opportunity to live life, be happy, and have a great time. What better way is there than to dance?

Here is our list of the Ladies Nights in Erbil where you can get out there and shake it.

Beginning the week on Monday Night is one of my favorite dance spots, Bella Ranicia. If you get there early the floor looks empty but once someone starts to get their groove on the floor ends up packed. DJs Fadi knows how to

put tunes together to keep the dance floor full at all times.

Moving on to Tuesday, we hop over to Everest High 5 Sports Bar on the top floor of the Everest Hotel. I know it doesn’t sound like a ladies place, but the night starts out low key to give you a chance to talk without screaming at the top of your lungs and never hearing a single word. Then the music starts gearing up towards that dance music we all love. It’s a fun place to go and the crew there are always on their toes to make your evening enjoyable This brings us to “Hump Day” Wednesday where we move on over to one of our long-time favorites, the always reliable T-Bar. Although everyone dances any given night of the week at T-Bar whenever the mood hits, Wednesday is set aside for the ladies and boy can they party! Ask Ayas for an extra special drink and he’ll make sure you get something interesting.

Thursday is the end of the week and everyone goes out all over town and although there isn’t a set Ladies Night we can still get our groove on at almost any bar/ lounge in town. Make it what you will I always say.

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After all the fun on Thursday night, ladies, we still need a place to dance and visit with our besties, so we move on over to newly re-opened Sky Bar. The night starts late also but once it starts the dance floor is usually crowded.

On Fridays we head over to Sky Bar at the top of the Noble Hotel.

This is a place that’s been treating everyone right for years and has picked right back up upon their reopening.

Saturday night ladies file into Lotus Club in the Divan Hotel complex, where Ladies night is on fire with plush surroundings and an impromptu dance floor around the circular bar.

Sunday brings us to the day of rest….for now.

So there you have it, ladies, there is no excuse to miss out on going out and having a great time. Whether you had a bad day at work, want to get some exercise (who needs the gym?), or just want to sit and visit with your friend, there is a Ladies’ Night almost every night of the week.

And the best part? Ladies. Drink.

Free.

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Issue 11 - Spring 2017

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Nightlife

OUT ON THE

CIRCUIT Enjoy a few photos of who we spotted “Out on the Circuit” last quarter at different special events at our sponsor locations throughout Kurdistan. Maybe you’ll even find yourself. Make sure to find us and strike a pose at parties this season to end up in next issue!

Anonymous’ Opening Party at Sky Bar

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Circuit Magazine

Noise Squad’s Blue Moon Party at Bella Ranicia

Issue 11 - Spring 2017

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Issue 11 - Spring 2017

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Emergency Numbers Fire …........................................ 066-115/124 Police …..................... 066-104/124/134/144 Asayish …...................... 066-222 (5283/0230) Traffic Police …................................. 066-104 Ambulance ….......................... 066-122/4635 Private - 0750-361-2040 Security ….............................. 0750-455-8527 Private - 0750 133 2192 Legal Assistance ….................. 066-224-5506 Private - 0750 326-5989 Translation Services …

Private - 0750 326-5989 Medical Insurance …

Private - 0750 633-7700

Spring Find and circle all of the words that are hidden in the grid.

The remaining letters spell a message about Spring.

More Useful Numbers Veterinarian …..........................066-229-4876 Private - 0750-447-8549 Event Management ..................066-222-0422 Private - 0750 633-7700 Waste Management …............0750-455-3161 Private - 0750-727-2289 O&G Services ….......................066-223-2475 Private - 0750-209-0010 Real Estate Services …..............066-226-7500 Private - 0750-812-6130 Certification Courses…

Private - 0750-327-6984 Marketing Services...

Private - 0750-633-7700 Hotels …....................................066-222-0422 Private - 0750-633-7700 Korek Mountain .......................066-222-0422 Private - 0750-902-6161 Shisha Deliver ...

Private - 0750 777 8000 Ci Circuit Membership Rewards ...

Private - 0750-633-7700

Know of a number that’s missing?

Email us at info@erbilonline.info to submit other useful information or corrections 83

ALLERGIES APRIL BASEBALL BEES CROCUSES CYCLAMENS DAFFODILS DANDELIONS EASTER EQUINOX FLOWERS FROGS GOLF GRASS GREEN GROWTH IRISES

LILIES MARCH MAY NEW LEAVES PLANTING RAIN RENEWAL ROBINS SEASON SNOWMELT SOFTBALL SPRING BREAK SPRING CLEANING TULIPS WARMER WET

Circuit Magazine

Across 1) Sweet wine 5) Conrad’s “_ Jim” 9) Hard tennis shot 14) Nest-egg funds, briefly 15) Fit to serve 16) Jai alai basket 17) Starry-eyed 18) Things to repent for 19) From another world 20) Have liberal views 23) Gain admission 24) Shakers founder Ann 25) Give the green light 28) Fuel-economy org.

30) Concrete ingredient 34) Replicate, in a way 35) Rotisserie League concern 37) Reptilian squeezer 38) Drill sergeant’s chant 41) Rescue squad member 42) Sought intel 43) Like Odin 44) An “X” may mark it 46) Mess up 47) Went splitsville 48) Van Gogh’s partial loss 50) Warms the bench 51) Show a bit of sorrow 57) Blackmore title surname 58) Leave off 59) Menthol cigarette brand 61) Adrien of cosmetics 62) Prop for Popeye 63) Popular bidding site 64) Farm machinery pioneer 65) Kane’s Rosebud, e.g.

66) Informal denial Down 1) Selfish sort 2) Kind of surgery 3) “Road” or “’raid” follower 4) Carry-on bag inspector 5) Freaked out 6) _ dome (St. Basil’s feature) 7) East Village musical 8) Recipe guesstimate 9) Sequence of tones 10) Bench-clearing brawls 11) “Yeah, sure!”

12) Dele undoer 13) Dynasty after the Qin 21) “Same old same old” 22) Lift the spirits of 25) Needs ibuprofen 26) Batter’s dry spell 27) _ voce (whispered) 28) Old anesthetic 29) Pal on the ranch 31) Scrub, in a way 32) “It’ll never work” 33) Had the nerve 35) Tend to the batter 36) Capitol Hill group 39) Puccini offering 40) Abandoned 45) Many a Belieber 47) Like many store-bought olives 49) Singer with the album “25” 50) Credit card action 51) Fighting mad 52) Optimistic view 53) Dandy dressers 54) Disney’s boy detective 55) Prefix meaning “mechanized” 56) Bathroom bar 57) Jr., to III 60) Drain unclogger ingredient

Issue 11 - Spring 2017

Gimme Shelter

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Circuit Magazine is a travel and leisure publication issued quarterly and distributed all across Kurdistan in locations targeting both local and expat readers.

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PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

The hidden sentence is: APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS

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