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|| SportsShooter.com: News Item: Posted 2004-05-05
'Weird things happen here.' A Photographer's Diary, Part 2
By Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Photo by Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
Two men mourn the death of a family member at an overflow cemetery built in a soccer arena May 3, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq. An estimated 1,300 Iraqis have been killed during the month-long siege of Fallujah.
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(Editors note: Justin Sullivan is a staff photographer for Getty Images based in San Francisco. He is currently on assignment in Iraq.)
May 4, 2004
I can't believe it has been a week since I touched down in beautiful Baghdad, man how time flies. It has been an interesting seven days. I have seen so many crazy things and have met some pretty incredible people. Iraq ain't so bad, as long as you're comfortable with hot weather, rocket and mortar attacks, intermittent power, sewage in the streets, numerous military checkpoints and god awful traffic. Seriously though, it could be a lot worse, at least we have a good supply of beer in the fridge.
My week started off with the grand tour of Baghdad and the surrounding neighborhoods. It was surprising to me just how much you could get here and most of it is dirt cheap. Your favorite movie that you just paid nine bucks to see at your local cinema can be purchased for $2.50 on DVD. Not that bad videotaped from the back row of theatre quality either. Want the new Janet Jackson CD, cost you a $1.50. Bootleg, of course. Gasoline is twelve cents a gallon, a far cry from the $2.50 I was paying at home before I left. We filled up today for a buck. So what if it's the lowest possible quality, the cars still run. The food is decent, not great, but then again, I am a finicky eater so maybe it is better than I advertise. Like I said, not a bad place.
Anyway, I eventually had to do some work and my first day on the clock had me traveling to Najaf to cover the Al-Mahdi army that has taken control of the town under the direction of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr. Quite an interesting experience hanging out with guys carrying around rocket propelled grenades and AK-47's. We all watch TV and see these so-called bad guys and think to ourselves how evil they probably are, but the truth of the matter is they are very nice people. I felt very welcome and safe in their presence. A very surreal day to say the least.
Photo by Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
Iraqi prisoners from the Abu-Ghraib prison celebrate as they are released May 4, 2004 in Tikrit, Iraq. Approximately 200 Iraqi prisoners were escorted to a remote part of Tikrit and released after serving timein Abu-Ghraib prison.
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In the following days I would visit Fallujah and Tikrit seeing things that will be etched in my memory forever. In Fallujah, a mass grave was being set up in an old soccer field to accommodate the more than 1,300 Iraqis killed during the one month siege of the town. I witnessed the funerals of three men that had allegedly been killed while fighting US forces. It is amazing how resilient these people are to endure such heartache and continue to push on despite their losses.
My trip to Tikrit was by total accident. I was covering the release of prisoners from the Abu-Ghraib prison which is over 100 miles from Tikrit. The prisoners were supposed to be released near the prison which is just outside of Baghdad but ended up being driven up to a remote field in Tikrit where they were set free by the US Army. Families of prisoners hoping to find their loved ones amongst the people being released chased after the convoy of buses and Army Humvees, it was like a scene out of It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world. It was by far the most bizarre thing I have ever seen, it really didn't make much sense. It was a far cry from the movies where the guy walks out the gate to be reunited with an awaiting friend, the exchange hugs and drive off in a convertible.Weird things happen here, just the way it is.
It's been an exciting week, sometimes overwhelming, sometimes a little scary, but all in all a very good experience. It has taken a few days to really get comfortable, but I am happy to be here. Only 34 more days to go.
Related Links:
Justin Sullivan's member page
Flying into Hell: A Photographer's Diary, Part 1
'Here comes the fork in the road.' A Photographer's Diary, Part 3
'I am back in Baghdad.' A Photographer's Diary, Part 4
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