How does this thing work, again?

220v/50hz. For all those born in the Western Hemisphere, you're probably wondering what the hell I am talking about. "Don't we Americans use 110/60?" Absolutely correct, if it ever comes into question. But here, in the Middle East, plugs and power are like a roulette wheel. There are no les thn 4 different plug types here, some of which amazes me that they work at all. I don't think Iraqi's have invented power polarization, yet...

 At night, watching the (3rd world) country side, I can see the lights of the houses and buildings in the distance, of farmsteads and villages. Without warning, those mute glows will be extinguished, as if God turned off the switch, and everything will go black. Not one light to be seen. I always wondered why Iraqi lighters had LED flashlights at the end of them, these little disposible BIC lighters that all Iraqis carry (because they all smoke), and when you see the power go off, fail, die; you understand.