Dating in a War Zone (AP)

by jordan | June 28, 2007 at 04:08 pm | 469 views | 3 comments

In Baghdad, even a first date can be a long-distance relationship. In a city with no real streat life left, there would be no "hot spots". You cannot take in a movie with no cinemas, nor can you take that special gal or guy to a candle-lit dinner when it's unsafe to be out after dark. With threats to life, limb and romance closing in on all sides, would-be lovers have turned to mobile phones to reach out and touch someone.

Romance always has been one of the expected casualties of war. So in Baghdad -- with no end to the violence in sight -- the dating game has been forced to adapt.

Sweet nothings are whispered into cell phones. Inboxes are full of flirtations. Even old-style matchmaking is getting back in vogue.

The high risks of going out far outweigh the pleasures of courtship.

"The worst was when we were talking in a cafe one time and we heard a nearby explosion and gunfire," recalled Kareem Abdul-Aziz about one outing with 24-year-old Dalia. "We weren't sure if the streets would be safe enough for us to go home."

That ended one of their few real dates since their first encounter about six months ago when Abdul-Aziz, who sells children's clothes in a central Baghdad market, slipped a piece of paper with his name and number into Dalia's shopping bag.

Abdul-Aziz, 25, now speaks with her for an average of two hours every day -- usually late at night. The local cell phone company offers huge discounts on local calls made between midnight and noon the next day.

"We have only met a handful of times," said Abdul-Aziz, despair in his voice.