I was issued a Walther P99 9mm pistol yesterday, so I went over the local Iraqi shopette on post to get a shoulder holster for it. This little store is run by a local Iraqi guy whom the base commander invited on post to run a small convenience store-style business. You can get a candy bar, basic hygiene items, or he can bring things in from the outside if you ask for it and he doesn't have it. They also, like many Iraqi merchants, sell pirated DVD's and CD's and such. They have movies on DVD that are still in the theaters in the states.

I mention the pirated DVD's so you will understand how prevalent counterfeit goods are here in Iraq as I share the next part of my shopping experience. I asked to see the shoulder holsters he had hanging behind the counter for my pistol, and he brought several down. They all had obviously fake brand name tags sew onto them. One said Tommy Hilfiger. A Tommy Hilfiger pistol holster? The one I ended up buying said "Only For Children Fashion" in bright, child-like script. Evidently they just throw a brand name tag on something in the hopes the brand will bring more money. They don't stop to think if it actually applies to the product or not.