Iraqi PILGRIMAGE FOOD in Ancient Babylon! FREE FOOD on the Road to Karbala!
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With my time in Baghdad at an end, at least for now, I headed off to explore the ancient city of Babylon! Come with me as I take to Babylon and to have some more incredible Iraqi food!
Babylon is located only 90 minutes from Baghdad by car. But first, we’d get a free breakfast! Roughly 1400 years ago, there was a battle in Karbala, and people were starving. So now, Iraqi people make a pilgrimage from Baghdad to Karbala to commemorate the battle, and free food is given out along the route!
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Vendors along the road offered a lentil stew (which was gone by the time I got there), as well as a fava-bean-and-lamb stew called fasolia. It was delicious and came with some delicious khubz tannour, which is a flatbread made in a tanoor oven. The chucks of lamb were excellent. It was nice and fatty, and the beans were nice and al dente.
Next was some Iraqi chai, which was also very nice. I loved it! What a great way to experience a cultural and culinary tradition. They give out free food for 20 million people for three weeks every year! Finally, we got back in the car and rode toward Babylon.
After 90 minutes, we arrived in Babylon! Our first stop was the Palace of Saddam Hussein, which he built to resemble the famous Hanging Gardens. Just beyond the palace is the ancient city. It’s 4,300 years old and is also the place Alexander the Great died. It dates back to 3000 BC!
We’d have a local guide named Mekki show us around Babylon. Its name translates to “Gate of God.” It consists of three cities built on top of one another. Alexander the Great died in the second version of the city. We also saw where it’s thought the Hanging Gardens once stood.
The inside of Saddam’s palace was huge. He built the palace at this height to be on the same level of the Kings of Babylon. Carved into the outer walls are patterns of the Arabic letters for “SH.” There’s lots of great acoustics inside!
Then, because we had VIP access, we headed through the kitchens and up to the master bedroom. It was massive but very dusty, as it’s been abandoned since 2003. Up on the roof, we could see all of Babylon, including the Euphrates River.
Then, we drove to the Ishtar Gate, the most famous symbol of Babylon. It’s a bright blue gate named after the goddess of love. But it’s actually a replica! The original gate is currently in a German museum.
Through the gate is a map of Iraq, as well as old foundations, the Street of Procession, and the Southern Palace. The palace has 600 rooms and was the administrative center and was also built for defensive purposes.
Then, we got exclusive access to a part of the city that’s off-limits to most visitors. On the walls are the same dragon animals on the Ishtar Gate. They all face north, which is the direction the king comes from. We also saw Ninmakh Temple, which is made of mud, and the Lion of Babylon statue, which symbolizes the greatness of Babylon. It was discovered in 1776. Next, we saw the Throne Hall where Alexander the Great died!
Ten minutes later, we arrived at a restaurant that specializes in a rice dish called quzi. Then, we tried some pomegranate yogurt, hummus, baytinijan, turshi, and olives before visiting the kitchen where they were making kebabs, beef & chicken shawarma, and chicken! The shawarma was so juicy and fatty!
The quzi was amazing. I loved the biryani rice and the tender lamb. It was perfect! Eating it with the bread and pickled vegetables was unreal. We also had fasiola yabsa (white bean stew), bamia (okra stew), and tepsi baytinijan (eggplant/tomato stew).
I loved eating it with my hands! Finally, we finished with some Iraqi chai with cardamom and sugar!
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My name is David Hoffmann. Since starting David’s Been Here in 2008, I have traveled to over 1,300 destinations in 94 countries to experience and document unique cultures on my KZread channel, travel blog, and social media.
I highlight culture and historical sites, but my passion is food! I love to experience and showcase the different flavors each destination has to offer, from casual street food to gourmet restaurant dining.
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Пікірлер: 81
WOW, the “Iraqi Pilgrimage Food in Ancient Babylon” video was a beautiful Treat!!! Thank you for the front-row seat of the fantastic people and the historical iconic ancient city of Babylon, Iraq. The hospitality shown to you and Tasos throughout this trip was excellent. It was amazing to learn that the battle of Karbala, a symbolic event, feeding people free food in remembrance of the history of the ones that did not have food and water during the battle was remarkable. I enjoyed the historical structure of ancient Babylon ( Gate of God). I love that we got to see a visual tour of the ancient city. I love the food and know you enjoyed the variety served, especially your favorite shawarma and lamb and my fav eggplant. ( did you see Tasos face when he tried the shawarma 😊😊). Another outstanding video. I mostly enjoy the story behind the culture and history of Iraq. Thank you. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@kartofle123
Жыл бұрын
Hopefully David's videos help to boost the Iraqi tourism industry. The food looks amazing and the hospitality is top notch.Europe and North America have some amazing things to see and foods to eat but the prices are way too steep and the hospitality is usually lacklustre as most place are only interested in your money.
@devijones
Жыл бұрын
@@kartofle123 Yes, It definitely will boost in lots of ways. You can also help by sharing Davidsbeenhere's videos and content with friends and everyone you know. It will significantly help if you continue giving him A “like/ thumps up on all this content. He enjoys learning about cultures, foods, and history and meeting new people worldwide. He is passionate and loves what he does it show in his videos.
@1i.6z
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, I am from Iraq, and welcome to any country you come from
@Davidsbeenhere
Жыл бұрын
Wow. this is absolutely amazing. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart Devi. I've gone back through a lot of older comments and saw there was a bunch of yours I hadn't responded to. I can't thank you enough and I Hope you are having a beautiful Sunday as well.
To help feed the hungry is something that mankind should always remember those that suffer and not able to have as much as some. I think is honorable to keep this memory and and keep the love an giving to those in need alive. This is remarkable. The battle of Karbala was so hard on the people. And to know people could help feed those that needed help .We are supposed to help each other an I love that they keep this alive today ♥ to be in the city of Babylon would be an amazing memory. So much biblical history and to walk in the foot steps of the ancestors would be unforgettable. Bless them. Such a site to see wow. Blessed to even see you there an Tasos That would be wild to be where Sandam Hussain was. You making your sounds walking through ancient Babylon lol. After that some delish food. Looks amazing. Really would love to travel as you do. To see the world is a dream for me . I like that we can see it through your eyes .Thank you♥
David, I want to commend you on your openness and social intuitiveness. You just blend in and out of crowds and do it with so much appropriate cultural sensitivity. I'm catching all the Arabic they're saying and without u knowing the language u capture the essence of what is being said. Takes a special human to perceive that. Well done. Also congratulations on stepping onto the most ancient earth soil of all and the birthplace of humanity
Thank you for visiting my country, Iraq, and I wish you a happy trip, and I hope it will not be your last visit
بالعافية 🌹🇮🇶♥️😘
@Davidsbeenhere
9 ай бұрын
TO you too my friend THANK YOU!
Very good content. You showed a side of Iraq very different to all the travel advisories, which discourages travel to there.
OKJFAMILY is Here watching from JAMAICAN 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲
Just the way you show respect and say Insallah , selam aleykum and sukran is amazinggg 🙏💯☕ just luvv itt David 🙏❤ and yayyy!! its the one n only Tasos again :) God keep yu all SAFE!!!
I know you’re trying to show respect by doing prayer hands and bowing while saying thank you, but they don’t do that there. Instead, try putting your hand on your heart while saying thank you.
@raysback6585
Жыл бұрын
David respected of saying Salam a likum he has to respect the country I'm Muslim so what you just said don't make any sense
@Davidsbeenhere
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for letting me know ❤
@raysback6585
Жыл бұрын
@@Davidsbeenhere no David I'm saying the comment above me you did the right thing brother saying salaam a likum that's the right thing your overseas you need to blend with the people anyway David I'm from Orlando Florida and I'm Guyanese whever you want to come in on your from Florida my mother will show you some good Guyanese dishes also whenever your ready brother let me no🥳
@MrDubEdition
Жыл бұрын
@@raysback6585 i didn’t say the Salam wasn’t proper… go read the comment again
@raysback6585
Жыл бұрын
@@MrDubEdition what you mean tho don't due that there specifically what your talking about no argument here so don't get upset
May Allah save our beautiful country and thank u so much to show this beautiful and special things in our country I hope u get fun and enjoy thanks for visit us again 💜
You should’ve stayed with this guy and these people the whole time when you was in Iraq they are the good people I already know they treated you the best
ohhh i just realized that you have a sleeve tattoo and thats why you cover it, thats very nice of you that shows how much you respect the country that you go and visit. much love to you DAvid
Oh David! Beside I love your life. You are so cute... And amazing person too. Keep sharing.
Why the gate of Babylon sits in a museum in Berlin and not in Babylon I’ll never understand. Imperialism never ends.
@MatrixDeception722
Жыл бұрын
You might want to research why instead of typing something that only takes a few clicks to know why. Lol. Stupidity is everywhere nowadays
@AMMAR1ALHAFIDH82
Жыл бұрын
@@MatrixDeception722 maybe hes asking as part of making statement in regards to thiefs scums who stole such important piece of Iraqi history .
It was so nice to see the ancient city of Babylon I mean WOW!!!!!!!!
David, what I love about your channel it’s not just eating food they’re educational as well. Thanks again.😊
Ali and all the people walking from Baghdad to Karbala giving free food and shelter for everyone walking
Good morning David thNk you always for your amazing video .Food always so deliciousthanks for sharing.
incredible video David!!
Davidsbeenhere: David, this one was a WOW. Imagine feeding so many people at once for free. Incredible indeed. Soups in Iraq look healthy. Dare I say it that Iraqi food is healthy food compared to what I have seen in other countries. I love how the people gather around. Remember the Pied Piper of Hamelin? !!!. Babylon is amazing with all that history behind it. Too much to talk about. Mesopotamia Babylon Iraq. I can remember the days of Saddam Hussein's reign and I remember when they stripped the palace after the fall of Saddam Hussein. As for the palace; what a massive building. What size bed for such a gigantic bedroom, dare I say " king-sized" bed 🤣🤣🤣. So now I know why they use so much blue in their designs. Simply stunning. And to see that some of these ruins are still standing as strong as ever. So much history there. As we moved on to the food, I love the food but I will have chicken instead. And I was waiting to see what they did with the okra (stewed). Jafar looks like a traditionalist when it comes to food. And for all the naysayers, that's called a communal plate where everyone eats from it and with the fingers too. Nice finish to the meal with a cup of hot chai. And David, they probably would have brought out a bed for you to sleep too. An honorary Iraqi. The Iraqis are a very nice, hospitable and kind people. So let me end my comment with this, "Never judge a book by it's cover". Good one David. Learned a lot. Keep it up. Now let's see what's next.🙏👼🇹🇹🇨🇦
Truly incredible to see this thank you
David's becoming more Iraqi than Jafar lol. That quzi dish and the Babylon tour must've been the highlight of this episode.
Oh dear, must be one of your best videos ever(Ha-Ha)! A Very Merry Christmas and Shouks! Khadeeja Alghali-Rahman (London, UK)👋👍⚓🕴️🐧🕸️🕷️🦟🐜🐂🦪🦋🦌🦅🐞🦜🍓💯🐍🐊🥬🏞️🗣️🧞🏖️🌴⛈️🐣🧭🤼🧈🌈☔🦄🔨🌛
So nice to see the other side of the world David...thank you. So much history. Head gear looks good on you. It looks as though the heat was a bit to much for you guys at times.
As always very interesting and many thanks for the adventure.travel well.much love..one love..respect.
Just got the time to watch. I enjoyed it very much. I was blow away with Babylon. Lovely meal to
العراق ❤️👍🇮🇶🛐☪️🕌🤲☺️ 🙂😋🤤🥘🍲🥩🍗🍖☺️🤲 الله أكبر شكرا
my best bro david looking handsome thank you for your huge respect against cpec friendship countries lot of love from your best bro viki 💙
Hi me and my mom love watching your videos have you ever think about going to Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 I see you travel a lot god bless keep making more video ❤️🥰
The Battle of Karbala...the significance of feeding everyone for free.....was great to know ...food is a blessing ..no one should be refused food. Babylon the ancient city...the view from the Palace just amazing and with you and Tasos touring ..was relly nice to see. Also the The Blue Gate..The lion of Babylon...so much History . Thanks as always David for another awesome video and safe travels.
Enjoy my brother in my country, Iraq, the oldest barn in the world
@user-cu2gy9fc4o
Жыл бұрын
Barn? شنو استخدمت ترجمة گوگل؟ 😂
@rih.
Жыл бұрын
الترجمه فشلتنه امسح التعليق
Wow amazing visit Canada and let's enjoy some Malaysian, Indian and Chinese cuisine.
الف عافية ponaptite 😍😍
كيف شاهد العراق
i got to go there!!!!
That's a nice tradition
Wonderfull
David sir, hope u vl fly to Nagaland in the month of Dec for the international hornbill festival..❤️
36:13 - "50 fahrenheit" That's 10 celsius.
You should learn about Karbala
That palace was insane and prob very impractical and a waste to think it was never used
I ran into someone who knew your channel !
@user-uw1cx4ui3v
Жыл бұрын
🙄
When you are in babylon, I was to say something for you, in khur- Aan the surah (Terni v jaithuni baadal balad) see the meaning of that surah you will get complete knowledge about gilt countrys wich was ufritis&tigris delta&some more information, you ask your friend who was with you,ask Ali he will teach you,go visit hanging gardens also, Try for that haging gardens,
It was less of a battle and more of a massacre. 72 people( many of the family of the Holy Prophet Mohammed) against the caliph Yazid’s army who was of Umayyad dynasty. Umayyad were enemies of Muslims and the Prophet. Including Yazid’s ancestors
Going to add some information translation 1- 2:13 he was telling you this how the “ma’adan” water buffaloes breeders cook
This is what Imam Ali and our 11 other imams taught us to deal with other people from other backgrounds and believes..Imam Ali had a historical speech when he said (( People are two sorts,either your brother in Religion or your Equivalent in Humanity)) This is the clear difference between SHIAASIM and other Terrorist groups under name of Islam.
It is pronounced Eraq not Irak David every time I hear you say it I laugh …
جعفر ابو بالويكند كل معلوماته خطأ ورحمة لوالديك جعفر اذا تشوف تعليقي اكل من كدامك لا تاكل من كدام ديفيد يمعود فشلتنا
@user-di8ku8tq9x
Жыл бұрын
اي والقران 🤣🥴
i just want the bread ,lamb and beans ... oh yes !!!
😍😍😍😍
you know my friends are 50Call in old Iraqi
فيون شي حلو العربان عندون كرم
@dongsg2029
Жыл бұрын
شو قصدك
🙏🙏👌👍😃😃😁😁🌺🌺❤❤. STREET FOOD
😯
ee ee
Jafar is so greedy, as if he's never had free food before.
@Davidsbeenhere
Жыл бұрын
Naw he is a great guy ❤️
His nose
Great video David but it's 50 celsius not Fahrenheit.
Hey there✋👋 Dave what's your Facebook website name and instagram offical name. Love❤ your videos🎥 vlog since 2017
@brandonmoore2237
Жыл бұрын
He's @davidsbeenhere on every platform: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok!