Guys from another video here in Kurdistan, and specifically we are in
Akre, as you can see behind me I heart Akre tell me you’re tourists without
telling me you're a tourist. We had to see this sign, we had to get a picture.
But in today's video guys we're gonna be here with my man Govind again.
It’s a beautiful city, isn't it? Excited to check it out, and then we've got Yad
over here who is catching some video right over there, and it looks like he's
got a pretty nice viewpoint. So, let's see what he's got going on over here. Oh yeah.
So, I would say this like view where the city, the houses are stacked up on each
other it reminds me just like when I- It’s like a Kurdistani version but very
similar to Medellin Colombia because it's kind of on mountains, it's stacked
up with neighborhoods like that. So, it's a really cool design and layout to
cities when they're kind of built into the mountains. And then up there, you can
see the Peshmerga, which are the freedom fighters of Kurdistan. You can see the
Kurdistani flag up there, and then you can see way out there Akre. So, it's a
very well decorated place with a cool layout. So, I’m excited to walk around, and
show you guys it. Oh, where you going? What was that song you were singing? Ya Habibi
Ya Habibi. Oh man, you should have been a singer. My
voice- Oh, that's pretty good. He is getting shy now.
So, it seems like this must be one of the highest points in the city because you
kind of have 360 degree views, we just showed you guys over there, and now I’m
walking to the other side. It's definitely a much different layout
because it's more of like the valley of the mountains.
Quite a spread-out town though, and it's- it's got a lot of history in it. So
yeah, it looks like we're right over a graveyard.
That’s absolutely what that is. I'm still kind of figuring out where we're
at, what we're doing. Those are political party flags you're seeing, and that is a
closer up view for you guys to see the Kurdistan flag. It looks like we're doing
horse rides up here. This guy's taking off on it.
There he goes. That must be the horse owner might as
well get on the horse right that's what they got him up here.
(Speaking foreign language)
One thousand just- He's gotta lead me, though. I can't go
alone. Yeah, you know he's gonna take the rein. He help you. I guess, I’m
getting on this thing. Oh yeah, here we go.
And here we go, full speed ahead.
We're just cruising around. We're getting some proper views now of Akre.
Hello
Yeah, this is- this is how you become a tourist. You go to the top of the
mountain, and you ride the horse around with a bell. So, that way everyone
can look at you as you're vlogging And--
I figured I’d let them show me around just in case you know. I don't
know how to ride horses super well, I have before but not enough to
consider myself an expert.
Yeah, it's a nicer view up here though. You get some
some good views of all 360-degree views, especially here now that I’m up on the
horse I can actually see like old Akre, and then I can see new Akre on
both sides. So solid ride, solid ride. Good little cruise around the lot I’d say.
Now let's see if I can get off this thing.
I’m already off bro.
You getting on? No
It’s pretty- it's pretty chil. Yeah, now we have Govind up here. This is
gonna be crazy. Oh, he's taking off.
Yeah See you later, Govind. Govind wanted me
to take some photos but he's not sure how to make the horse stop.
Come back here, bro otherwise I can't get a photo of you.
Oh and now, you're getting one next to the sign. I like them.
Alright, there we go. Govind, how'd you like that horseback
riding? To city, inside- You want to ride the
horse to the city? Yeah Yeah
No, no this is good. Keep it going, keep it going. I don't understand you- what you said.
How did you enjoy riding the horse? The horse? Amazing, yeah perfect. Yeah, second
time ever? I think second or third, yeah. Yeah perfect. Perfect.
So, this is a bit of a tour for Govind too. That's perfect, yeah.
Yaa Habibi Yaa Habibi
Also, you pushing me when you tried it. Oh yeah. Yeah, got him pushed out of his own
comfort zone, that's how we do it. Alright so, now we're heading over to
the bazaar? Yeah. Bazaar right downtown, it’s just a short drive like three-- Two
minutes away, right to the city center. Alright, we're
walking through the town here. There are a lot of yellow flags. That's for sure.
We have made it to the city center, and we are gonna stop right down here and
try out some ice creams. My first time having Kurdistani ice cream. As you can
see this whole set of area is covered in yellow flags for the political party for
the elections that are happening in just a couple days. So, it's actually a very
unique time to be here during this time of year. As always guys, me showing
any sort of political stuff or religion stuff in any of these videos does not
mean I agree or disagree. I'm just simply sharing with you what I’m observing. Here
we go. We’re gonna try, and do the middle
eastern crosswalk here, and make it across get some ice cream,
right over here. Salaam Alaikum [Peace be upon you]
Choni bashi bro. [How are you?] Here we go. This is the good
stuff? Hey. What's white flavor like vanilla?
We got going on back here, that's where the magic happens down there.
Yeah. Oh yeah. One for me, yeah.
Choni Bashi. Good ice cream? Bashi ice cream? Yeah Good, good.
Dondorma Akre That is gonna be
delicious. These are the cones, we're gonna be chowing down on too? Oh.
Alright, here we go. We’ve got the first ever time for me to try Kurdish
ice cream. Let's give it a shot.
That is a nice flavor. This is vanilla? Milk
Milk. It does taste a little milky.
That’s nice, and it's perfect because I’m pretty warm from walking around
almost breaking a sweat after some of those hills here. How's the ice cream, bro?
Yeah, very nice. That's a great response; very nice. What about you, Yad? How's it
going over there? It's fantastic. Yeah, the place got pretty busy since we
arrived the whole- whole thing like filled up here. So yeah, that's gonna
be good. So, judging how fast Govind finished that ice cream, he loved it even
though his response was only very good. So, they only have one flavor here just
vanilla, so if you don't like vanilla then you're gonna have to go
somewhere else. Alright so, I’m still working on my ice cream but we're gonna
keep moving. We're gonna stop at our next spot which is where they have some fresh
naan. Oh, we've already got the piece ready to
go. Alright, let's- let's try her out, oh that's fresh off the press. That's almost
so hot I can't even hold it.
Much needed carbs after all the walking we’re doing, and it's nice. That's the
great part about Kurdistan, you can find all these fresh bread shops everywhere
both in the restaurants, and on the streets near the bazaars, and everything.
Sorry, our buddies saying here, give me one visa.
He’s super nice, though. He actually gave us the bread for free. We tried to offer
to pay. He want to make a business with you. Oh, he wants to start a business.
oh, bread shop in the USA, let's get him over here. It's funny, Govind's
telling me like a lot of times like Kurdish people will be like as soon as a
foreign person he brings on a tour, he'll ask them for a visa. And it's so funny
it's like we don't just have Visas in our back pocket but if we could we would
definitely bring them over because that bread
belongs in places all around the world. So, speaking of the bread let's see what
he's got going on in here. So, we've got, this is the oven yeah? Yeah, that's the
oven, yeah. Alright so, oh yeah, it's pretty hot in
there. There's a lot going on, that's the dough.
Oh, and it smells fresh and delicious. That’s the one thing about being here in
Kurdistan, you don't need to have your gloves or hair net on right now to go in
the back. Whereas in the in the US, if you're in a restaurant like
this, you need gloves and a hat And then, something over here oh, this is
good stuff. That's- that's the dough oh yeah, he mixes it up, big old mixer right
there. And then, oh we got a second oven.
So, it's quite the process quite- quite the process, yeah. Let's get a
bread business going. Let's get a bread business going Inshallah (God willing)
He says I give you twenty thousand dinar for USA visa. I wish I had a visa that I could give him.
I don't know why he thinks I'm trump's cousin which I'm not.
For some reason he tells him I’m trump's cousin. I have no idea and I’m like don't tell people that.
That was a nice little bread tour, now a little ice cream to go. Yeah, people
here are so nice. They're just like yeah come on back in we'll show you around,
we'll show you how we make our bread, we'll show you how we make our food, ice
cream, whatever it might be. Let’s keep checking it out. Alright,
looks like Govind's taking us a little bit further down the road to another
viewpoint. So, I guess we'll see what we're gonna get ourselves into along
the way. Here you can find pretty much anything, we got electronic shops, cell
phone stores. They must be competitors I would assume.
A little fresh shawarma and falafels over there. Are those real jerseys? They're real?
Are they real? Yeah.
Govind was telling me when we were walking through Duhak yesterday, he was like
he was telling me they're all real, and he's like no, not a single one and any of
these stores are real. Sounds like oh, makes sense. Why all the price tags are
70% off. Oh, we could get some shoes right over here, looks like they've got a fresh
shoe shop. Actually, with how dirty my have been getting in, might be- might
be time to get a new pair pretty soon. What do you think? Yes, why not. Maybe you-
yeah, take new one. Yeah, they've got they've got a similar style?
Seventy hundred percent discount. Yeah? Yes, are they? They must be giving you a
commission then, huh? Twelve thousand- twelve thousand a
shoe? Twelve thousand so, that's how much is it?
Eight dollars for shoes.
That's a pretty nice deal. So, different price sorry. Around $10 dollar to $12 to $8.
So, 12000 and 15000 $10 and $8.
Not bad, not bad. We’ll have to stop by on the way back
maybe then. Yes. We'll see. We'll see. And if you want the trouser, you-
here the tailor. That they can do it immediately? How fast can they? Oh, one day, two days.
One day. Okay so, we'd have to stay longer then. It's a one-way road a pretty- pretty
tight fit, yeah. So, we gotta walk right in the middle of
the road, watch for the cars. And I’m guessing we're getting pretty
close to the viewpoint, this is the viewpoint? Yeah. Alright wow. This is the one
oldest mosque in the all Kurdistan after the Islamic
coming to here. This is the oldest in all of Kurdistan? One of the Oldest.
Wow Well,
it sure is beautiful for being this old, that's for sure. It's really a nice time
to come, and see this place because since the sun is just starting to set, it gives
the- the mountains, the horizon here just that nice, and lit up orange feeling
next to this mosque. So, it's such a cool feeling, it's like no other city I’ve
ever seen before besides like I said earlier just a bit of a taste of
Medellin the way the houses are like a similar shape, and built up the mountain.
So, that's quite- quite a cool spot here. We’ve got some nice people here.
Choni bashi [How are you?].
No, no. Yeah, you speak English? Yeah, yeah. Oh good, good nice pretty. You speak
English well? Yeah, a little bit, yeah. Yeah, I know shui [Kurdish]
Yeah, yeah, are you from here? From Kurdistan.
Very Nice. From Akre
It’s beautiful here. Thank you. Have you been up to climb the
mountain for new year's? Yes, yes. It's fun?
Yeah, and that's December 31st or is it-
20 of march. So, that's- that's when new year's celebrated here?
Oh, okay. 21 of the march. 21st of the march, new year.
The people coming here 20 of the march at the night.
They start to climb up the mountain. Yeah. Wow.
And how many thousands of people are going up there? Oh
who knows? Too many. Wow, so people travel from other cities
around Kurdistan? From all Kurdistan, they coming here. Wow
That’s incredible, yeah if you guys can see over here,
there’s some close-ups of what it looks like, they're carrying torches, you've got
cars just jam-packed going up the side of the mountain. And everything is lit up,
and if you can see like on the very far mural right there at the top of the
mountains are very- very well lit up. And we got a bat over here is that what I
heard? Whoa- whoa what's going on over here?
There’s no shortage on items to buy over here, lots of nice clothes.
Oh, we've got some prices here five, ten,
thirteen, decent prices here. So, we're talking like
four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten dollars.
And we've got the entire tailor shop here.
Yad's going in there, he's getting in on it.
Oh, he's getting scenes of the tailor making a freshly made- What is
that, a suit? A pair of pants, Kurdish clothes
yeah. There it is, bro.
That’s some BTS right there; behind the scenes. Alright so, right over here is
actually the -the gold market. It's kind of like a smaller version of the
one I saw in Dubai. Some very nice- Oh, it's very- very lit up here.
Salam Alaikum [Peace be upon you] Oh, yeah
Gold rings geez, I’m kind of tempted to pick up a new piece of jewelry.
I don't know if I’m in a negotiating mood right now. Got quite a few options.
Salam Alaikum [Peace be upon you]
Very friendly
I don't know that word. Oh, they've got some nice watches over here.
Some fancy stuff going on here. What do
we got here? Alright, that looks nice,
and it keeps going down all the way down here.
Some very, very fancy dresses in here everything's oh- And we're closed for
business. And,
seems like it keeps going all the way down here,
got some shoes options. Yeah, not bad, not bad. Nice little stop
here. They've got so many little hidden markets.
Oh, closing for business here. Hello
A lot of things going on at once but that was cool. Alright, we did a little
tour. Yeah, it's nice, very shiny in there. Yeah, a lot of expensive
stuff, yeah and it's real. They are very rich person. Ah, very rich
persons. They sell
gold, bro The real stuff. Alright, Ba broin brahm [Let’s go, bros]
There’s a bat here again. That’s one of Yad's special talents he
can trick people to think that there's a group of bats about to attack. I tell you
a funny story once. So, I was in a lift a long time ago. Yeah.
And then I started making that noise I was going [Making bat noise].
Oh, and then everyone was looking up like I think there's a pigeon stuck under
there in the lid. I was like yeah, I think so.
That must have been a big lift then if they couldn't hear it coming from you.
Yeah, but I was as soon as I did it, I looked up I was like oh what's that?
Were there random people? Yeah, I was with one of my colleagues. That's
hilarious. There's the gate. Lebanon- Oh yeah, it's a big- big day today Lebanon
versus Iraq; the two most recent countries that I visited. Yeah, and it
seems like everyone's out here hanging out in the city center.
Oh yeah, we got cops kind of running through here. There's a lot going on at
once.
Yeah policeman. Hello, hello. Yeah,
be careful. This man- Oh,
hello. Hey, it's a nice gun you got. Salam Alaikum [Peace be upon you]
Salam Alaikum [Peace be upon you]
Alright so, we have ended up here in the city square, and we've got a nice
nice gun right here, that's a good one. You shoot that one in the air? Yeah, yeah.
Nice. Birds or-
you shoot birds? Yeah, that’s good.
And this is the fig market, yeah?
These are the figs, yeah, yeah. Alright, how much do they charge for a
fig? One kilo, it's around
two dollars, One dollar fifty cent. Oh, okay. It's a good price.
Do I just take a bite of it?
That’s got a nice feel to it. How do I eat this thing?
Let me show you. Oh.
Are you sure I don't have to clean it? Yeah, it's fine yeah. But I
have a light stomach. Yeah,
Do I hold on to this? The front or the back? Whole thing?
That was a mouthful. That might have been my first fig ever,
I like it. So, what like 2000 for one of those? 2000 nice, that's a pretty good
price. Zor supas [Thank you very much].
There’s a nice little tour around downtown, met some locals very nice
people. Got to ask the guy about his gun and it sounds like he shoots birds
with it but I don't think he actually understood what I was asking him.
What was that? Give you money? Oh, you know, English?
That’s good.
That’s all this kid knows. He just walks up, give me money, give me
money. Govind's custom-made way to-
He just puts all the water in the bag. and then, he just starts moving them
around. Oh. And that's how you clean it. I will say
eating that fig without washing it is something that I never ever do
because that's how you end up. Oh, we got the prayer call going on. So, hopefully
you can still hear me. But, that's something I never do because like you
don't wash vegetables in a place where your stomach might not be used to the
bacteria, that's how you can end up sick. So, Inshallah (God willing) I won't be sick. So, that's a
fresh bag there and we lost the figs.
We’ve got fellow tourists here, we've got a full crew of them. Salaam
So they're from Iraq proper? Yeah. Yeah, big tour bus over there so, we're not the
only tourists in this town. Oh, they keep coming. Alright, guys so I think that's
where we're gonna finish off this video. It's been a good time exploring
this place. And as always, thanks for watching. If
you want to see me hanging out in more car windows, and doing crazy stuff hit
that subscribe button. And, if you like this video smash it, and we'll see you
guys in the next one.
[Music]