5AM I was awakened by someone's morning prayer, which disrupted my sleep. I moved downstairs but found it difficult to fall back asleep.
6:30 AM I had a cup of tea for 250 IQD and then took a taxi to Malwiya Minaret. It was closed. How shocking... I took the best picture that I could and made the driver to go to the side of the sun.
8AM I arranged for a ride to the checkpoint to retrieve my passport. From there, I took another taxi to Qasr al-Ashiq and negotiated a fare of 35,000 IQD to reach Ashur.
10:30AM We reached Ashur, and the driver proposed an additional 35,000 IQD to continue on to Mosul. However, I had my heart set on seeing Hatra, so I politely declined.
1:30PM My exploration of Ashur was extensive, and I had the entire place to myself. I even had the opportunity to venture inside a Ziggurat, which bore a striking resemblance to the grand gallery in the pyramids.
2PM Since there were no available taxis at the location, I received a call from someone who demanded 100,000 IQD for a ride to Mosul, an outrageous price. Instead, I hitched a ride to the intersection with the help of an Iraqi school teacher, who then assisted me in finding a taxi to the main Highway 1. The police arranged a second ride for me to reach Hatra.
3PM Upon arrival at Hatra, I quickly realized that Othman Anees from Facebook was correct; I needed to purchase a ticket in advance from Mosul. Despite the efforts of the checkpoint police to assist me, the request was ultimately denied. Reluctantly, I hired a taxi to take me to Mosul.
4PM I reached Mosul and arranged for another taxi to transport me to the city center. I found refuge in a hotel for 20,000 IQD and then ventured out for a leisurely stroll. I also had some repairs done, fixing a button and my shoe for a total of 2,000 IQD. Unfortunately, the repair job on my wallet didn't go well. I had a lamb boat for 1,250 IQD and another kebab for 6,500 IQD.
5:50PM The pistachio ice cream at Alshark was very good. I went to sleep at 8PM.
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