Christmas Wish List

RIVERBEND'S CHRISTMAS WISH LIST

The self-described Iraqi girl blogger shares her wish list on the Baghdad Burning Blog:

"Ok -- what is the typical Iraqi Christmas wishlist (I won't ist 'peace', 'security' and 'freedom' -- Christmas miracles are exclusive to Charles Dickens), let's see:

20 liters of gasoline
A cylinder of gas for cooking
Kerosene for the heaters
Those expensive blast-proof windows
Landmine detectors
Running water
Thuraya satellite phones (the mobile phone services are really, really bad of late)
Portable diesel generators (for the whole family to enjoy!)
Coleman rechargeable flashlight with extra batteries (you can never go wrong with a fancy flashlight)
Scented candles (it shows you care- but you're also practical)

"When Santa delivers please make sure he is wearing a bullet-proof vest and helmet. He should also politely ring the doorbell or knock, as a more subtle entry might bring him face to face with an AK-47. With the current fuel shortage, reindeer and a sleigh are highly practical- but Rudolph should be left behind as the flashing red nose might create a bomb scare (we're all a little jumpy lately)."