The Kurdish family that we joined the second day made a Kurdish dish called, "bree-onie". It's mainly rice with a special mixture of spices. It has a little chicken, almonds, currants, peas, potatoes and onions in it. Of course it's not a meal in the Middle East without tomatoes, cucumbers and green peppers. Lettuce and parsely was also served. A few weeks ago while visiting a village where there are many olive orchards Tim and his friend were given gifts. Olives! I still haven't acquired the taste for them. They gave us so many that we gave bowls full away to neighbors, shared a bucket with ex-pats, and still have them running out our ears.