[arasina]

Excuse my density but what was the motion across the throat about? Was he trying to tell her that the soldiers were dangerous and that they might kill her?

He was probably warning her that if she were seen making physical contact that she would have her throat slit by other Iraqis. Their customs are very different than ours. If you want to read more in a very well researched and entertaining novel, read The Haj by Leon Uris. Excellent historical novel---mostly about Israel and Palestine---but it gave me some insight into what it's like to be a Muslim woman.

[kimchi lover]

I thought that might also be the reason but I wasn't sure. It is so odd how you rarely see a woman in these societies. Sounds to me like a little freedom would do those gals an awful lot of good!

[Tomalak]

Thanks. I'll have to check it out.