Culture shock: From Baghdad to Hyattsville

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Nazar Joodi took a deep breath as he entered a Safeway store Friday evening a half-mile from his new home.

“Will we need matches to light the stove?”

The lettuce selection proved too overwhelming, and he shook his head disapprovingly at the meats. None were labeled halal, or prepared according to Islamic standards. Soy milk looked like regular milk, lactose-free milk looked like orange juice, and all of the eggs looked the same, even though some were expired.

At the register, piled with basics such as onions, tomatoes, frozen cheese pizzas and whole-wheat buns, Joodi handed the cashier $20 more than he needed. The cashier handed it back.

Joodi counted the $75 left in front of him, counted it again, and put it in his pocket.

“I thought that would last for a week,” he said of the $145 provided as emergency cash by the International Rescue Committee.

At their Hyattsville apartment, his wife, Shayma, waited with the children for furniture to arrive.

By Saturday afternoon, the family of six had a dining room table set for four. Beds arrived Sunday.

“I miss my big kitchen in Baghdad,” Shayma said in Arabic, gesturing to show it was the size of their new living room.

“Here, chicken small,” now practicing her English. “Chicken? Kitchen?” The family paused before breaking into laughter, a bittersweet reality settling in.

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