Up next in 10
This is my journey into Mosul, IRAQ as a tourist in 2020.
I hope this changes your view on what the city is really like.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsjaypalfrey/
Thank you to my amazing Patreons for supporting this channel :)
Become a Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=24492598
Abdullatif, Abdurahman, Anila, Aysh, Fauzi, Halit, Hannah, J Benyamin, Kaynat, Maha, Mariam, Mohammed, Muna, Niyasha, Rose, Salma, Sara, Sarah. A, Sarah. M, M7mdalsa7an, Mohammad A, Diana,
and a massive thankyou to:
KHALED A, NUERY, HERI, HATEM, ALI, YAMAN, HUSSAIN, KHALID H, SAIF, AYMAN, USMAN :)
Useful Links:
AIR BNB DISCOUNT: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/c/jayp3509?c...
2 months free Skillshare: skillshare.eqcm.net/jaypalfreytravel
Show More Show Less View Video Transcript
0:00
Hi guys, it's Jay and in this video it is my journey to Mosul, Iraq in 2020. All of the things
0:07
I put into this vlog I believe are important for you to see. So please, before you start watching
0:12
please commit to watching the entire thing or not at all because my story and my journey takes very
0:18
different directions and I want you to have the entire picture of my story and my journey in Mosul
0:24
This journey was incredibly difficult, one of the hardest journeys I've ever taken
0:28
as a traveller but also one of the most valuable and life-changing experiences I've ever had
0:35
I also just want to remind you that I am a traveller, a one-time visitor. I am not a politician
0:42
nor am I making a political commentary with this video. This is just a video showing my journey
0:48
as a foreign tourist in Mosul, Iraq in September 2020. My journey started from Abil in Kurdistan across four high security checkpoints into Mosul City
1:02
For the entire journey my nerves were pretty high and I wasn't sure if I'd actually make it into the city
1:10
Thankfully I did and I was not expecting what first greeted me in this incredible city
1:16
so i'm here on my way into the city and thankfully nothing ever happened to this incredible masterpiece
1:23
this is the mosel mosque i've never seen anything like this before fighting all around me happened
1:30
you can see buildings absolutely flattened in front of me but thank god nothing ever happened
1:35
to this this is absolutely beautiful to give you some context behind this vlog mosa was a battleground for three long years between
1:50
many key forces isis or the islamic state versus iraqi forces and other forces from around the
1:56
world for those years all i remember seeing is news reports of airstrikes guns and families
2:03
having to flee, leaving everything behind and running for their lives to save them and
2:09
their children. Today, it is just over three years after Mosul was liberated and ISIS were
2:15
forced from Iraq's second largest city. And this is how my journey started, across the
2:20
Tigris River, into the west of the city. Thank you No Music Music Music Music Music Music It's
3:14
really hard to find the right words in the midst of just this profound devastation
3:22
there are still kids running around still smiling and Oh my God
3:58
All around this area is just evidence of continuous bombardment from airstrikes
4:16
The majority of the houses here are flattened. There are cars that obviously have been hit by airstrikes, just thrown against walls
4:58
This is all that remains of this village
5:24
a place which once would have been bustling with life with children going to school
5:33
learning, preparing for their incredible bright future with parents happy to wake up every morning and it's just hello
5:44
and it's just Throughout my time I saw United Nations signs across from Iraqi flags and a city being rebuilt And I think this is the first time in my entire life I actually been happy to hear drilling
6:14
It's such an incredible feeling knowing the people here have been building. There is the biggest mosque in Mosul and
6:57
when ISIS came and took over this city they took over the mosque and the head of ISIS actually gave
7:05
his first opening speech in this mosque when ISIS obviously were pushed out of the city and Moses
7:11
was liberated. UNESCO and the United Nations actually have come here to save the history of
7:16
this place because it's one of the most important historical significance in this city so
7:22
it's so amazing to see it being helped and being rebuilt and yeah
7:29
Mosul is one of the oldest cities in the world and it's filled with beautiful mosques across
7:35
from beautiful churches. A city in which everybody is celebrated. In the middle of all of this a falafel and full restaurant. Of course I had to get something
7:49
So here in the Middle East, Ful is incredibly famous and here in Mosul I had to get some
7:54
It looks absolutely amazing. Wow, it's really, really good
8:08
Okay, halas with the good food. Let's head over to the eastern side so I can show you the incredible markets here in the city
8:14
It's full of an amazing busy market with so many street food sellers, so many clothes, so many markets and it's absolutely
8:22
amazing. All the people here are so kind and so friendly and it's great to see
8:28
In the middle of this busy local market, a coffee shop. Wow, it smells really good
8:40
Sugar. No, sugar. Wow it's really good
8:53
Of course you know me, coffee is one of my favourite things and I had to bring some with me
8:58
Now, every time I sip my coffee I can remember the beautiful people of Mosul
9:03
A little further down the market I was quickly welcomed to see how this local bread is made This is amazing
9:34
Here in the local market in Mosul, they are selling anything from fresh fruit and vegetables
9:54
Clothes, toys and gold. Yes, gold. Row after row of stores selling gold in Mosul
10:09
As humans, safety is a right we all deserve, right? As humans, love and hope are the two main reasons why we stay alive
10:24
Thank you. Yes, there was a huge wedding I was blessed enough to witness
10:45
And here in the five-star Grand Palace, huge parties are taking place
10:48
to celebrate university graduates, birthdays and other amazing occasions filled with people whose smiles could not get any bigger
11:00
The path is amazing. I cannot even begin to imagine what the people of Mosul went through
11:09
I cannot begin to imagine what they saw, what they felt. No matter our political views, we all deserve to be safe
11:16
and to feel safe in our own home. Mosul is being rebuilt
11:21
and I cannot wait to revisit to experience more of this rich, cultured and kind city
11:33
And that was my experience being a tourist in Mosul, Iraq in September 2020
11:40
I really hope I taught you something new. Please remember that things don't make a place
11:45
people do and the people of Mosul are just incredible thank you so much for
11:53
watching stay safe stay happy and I'll see you in the next video
#Tourist Destinations
#Historical Sites & Buildings
#Travel Guides & Travelogues