Oh, it was good. Just what I needed. I'd been craving it for days. Just that little bit...it took the edge right off. I see why people get addicted to this stuff - because it's...well...addictive.
Back home I never do Coke. I seldom do soft drinks of any kind. There's always healthier options: iced tea, ice water, fresh juice, maybe some wine. And when I do get the urge, desire, craving for something, it's Dr Pepper - something that's in abundance in the Midwest.
Coke has a special place in my heart. My sister has always loved the stuff, but it never did much for me...until I started traveling outside the United States. Coke is EVERYWHERE!
I remember my trip to China in 2006 - it was my first night there, and I was having dinner with my cousin and her friends at a hot pot restaurant. I was eating stuff that to this day I'm still unable to identify. For those of you that know me well, you know that's a pretty big thing. I'm not known as a culinary adventurer.
As the night went on, the desire to wash things down with something cool, tasty, and familiar was overwhelming. To my eventual detriment, they offered tall bottles of warm Coke. Well, at least it was familiar. I drank four of them.
Oh, I should have mentioned that up to that point I hadn't had a soft drink for about four years. It was just something I decided I could do without, so I did.
I won't recount how I spent most of the next day and a half in the bathroom, in my Chinese hotel room. I'll just say that my body didn't react well to the flood of sweet, carmel-colored liquid.
Later that same trip I learned something else - On the flight from Chengdu to Lhasa, Tibet, never drink carbonated beverages. I believe I had two cans of yes, Coke. We landed, and was at an elevation of 12,000 feet above sea level. Very high, no air. All those little carbonation bubbles just went crazy, and expanded all over the place.
There was a rush to the bathroom. Thankfully, a 'western style' toilet was available, instead of the more common 'squat toilet.' Never got the hang of those. I'll sit down anyday.
When I worked on the ice the one thing I always looked forward to when I got off was the first meal back in the 'real' world. It was always a Double Whopper Value Meal at Burger King, on Columbo Street, in Christchurch. It tasted like America. Of course, it was accompanied with Coca-Cola, and Coke tastes like Home.
Same thing traveling through Australia. Coke is king.
And now I'm in Iraq. Sure, they sell Dr Pepper in the PX, but I don't love soft drinks enough to keep any in my room. So, on my day-off I usually eat lunch at our Food Court. Doesn't matter which vendor I choose, they all offer Coke to go along with their meals.
So, I indulge.
I did some Coke today, and I'm feeling pretty good right now...
P.S. Okay, I bought ONE can of Dr Pepper to have later. It's in my freezer right now. I like it cold...
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Were those fireworks?...
It was on a Saturday night, a week before the Fourth of July weekend. I had the TV on, and was catching-up on my e-mail. Right around 9:20p there was a large *BOOM!*, followed immediately by a smaller *boom*. Fireworks a week early? Naw...
I slipped my flip-flops on, and poked my head out my door. Everyone else was, too. Quietly, but quickly, people started making their way towards our local bunker (it's like 3-sided concrete culvert, about 6' square inside, and about 60' long).
Someone said it was a mortar. Seriously? A mortar? But Taji's a SAFE base. Who'd be shooting mortars at us?
The next few minutes were tense, and full of apprehension. We never really did go inside the bunker, but we were ready to.
You should have seen the Army mobilize. They were like ants running around everywhere, rifles blazing. They were doing their job.
After 20 minutes, or so, we got the word that all was clear, and we returned to our CHU's (compartmentalized housing units - trailers). No one slept well the rest of the night, and of course, it was the talk of the base the next day.
The full story came out a few days later - They weren't mortars, but RPG's. They had been fired from one or two Iraqis that had found an opening in one of our 'fortified' outside walls, and had snuck in. They were located almost immediately that same evening. They had in their possession additional weapons, bent on wreaking some havoc.
The things people do on a Saturday night.
Thankfully, no one was hurt, and no damage done. Still, it rattled some nerves.
It served as a much-needed wake-up call for all of us. Complacency isn't good on a military base...in a warzone.
So now vigilance is paramount. The Iraqis are still our friends.
Don't worry, I'm still safe. Please read the post below about our concrete friends, the T-Walls...
==============================================
Other Taji news...
The food selections have taken a nosedive. The rotisserie chicken man is gone, as is the carving station for the turkey and pork loin. Thankfully, the fruit guy is still serving, but he has been absent a few meals, which has caused some distress.
It's still hot, dry, and dusty, but I won't keep kicking that horse.
Everyone in our office is in vacation mode. A few just returned, a couple return this week, and a number of us are taking off in September and October. For me, parole...I mean, vacation, is less than two months away. :)
I bought a new backpack and a new hat, but they're camouflage, and I can't find them.
All in all, everything's fine. I'm safe, I'm comfortable, and I have a job. That's pretty much like winning the trifecta.
I promise I'll *try* to do better at updating my blog. Next entry will be my first photographic assignment - 'Finding Green in the Desert.' Subsequent posts will be 'I'm Feeling Blue,' and 'I'm Seeing Red.' Might even do 'Don't Be Yella.'
Take care, Everyone. Write, post, send good thoughts.
a
I slipped my flip-flops on, and poked my head out my door. Everyone else was, too. Quietly, but quickly, people started making their way towards our local bunker (it's like 3-sided concrete culvert, about 6' square inside, and about 60' long).
Someone said it was a mortar. Seriously? A mortar? But Taji's a SAFE base. Who'd be shooting mortars at us?
The next few minutes were tense, and full of apprehension. We never really did go inside the bunker, but we were ready to.
You should have seen the Army mobilize. They were like ants running around everywhere, rifles blazing. They were doing their job.
After 20 minutes, or so, we got the word that all was clear, and we returned to our CHU's (compartmentalized housing units - trailers). No one slept well the rest of the night, and of course, it was the talk of the base the next day.
The full story came out a few days later - They weren't mortars, but RPG's. They had been fired from one or two Iraqis that had found an opening in one of our 'fortified' outside walls, and had snuck in. They were located almost immediately that same evening. They had in their possession additional weapons, bent on wreaking some havoc.
The things people do on a Saturday night.
Thankfully, no one was hurt, and no damage done. Still, it rattled some nerves.
It served as a much-needed wake-up call for all of us. Complacency isn't good on a military base...in a warzone.
So now vigilance is paramount. The Iraqis are still our friends.
Don't worry, I'm still safe. Please read the post below about our concrete friends, the T-Walls...
==============================================
Other Taji news...
The food selections have taken a nosedive. The rotisserie chicken man is gone, as is the carving station for the turkey and pork loin. Thankfully, the fruit guy is still serving, but he has been absent a few meals, which has caused some distress.
It's still hot, dry, and dusty, but I won't keep kicking that horse.
Everyone in our office is in vacation mode. A few just returned, a couple return this week, and a number of us are taking off in September and October. For me, parole...I mean, vacation, is less than two months away. :)
I bought a new backpack and a new hat, but they're camouflage, and I can't find them.
All in all, everything's fine. I'm safe, I'm comfortable, and I have a job. That's pretty much like winning the trifecta.
I promise I'll *try* to do better at updating my blog. Next entry will be my first photographic assignment - 'Finding Green in the Desert.' Subsequent posts will be 'I'm Feeling Blue,' and 'I'm Seeing Red.' Might even do 'Don't Be Yella.'
Take care, Everyone. Write, post, send good thoughts.
a
The Ubiquitous T-Wall...
At every military base in Iraq, and I'd suspect, Afghanistan, you see giant monoliths called T-Walls. T-Walls provide two services: protect and contain. Which one it does is entirely dependent on which side of the wall you're on.
You've seen T-Walls too, everytime you drive through a construction zone. They're much shorter, and typically wider, and go by the moniker 'concrete barriers.' Their purpose is exactly the same - they protect the workers on the other side, and contain whatever mayhem traffic may cause in the thru lanes.
Are they protecting us from traffic in Iraq? Hardly. Their job is to protect us from most types of lobbed or rocketed munitions. Could be mortars, could be grenades, could be rocket powered grenades (RPG's). They're typically placed around the perimeter of most buildings, and around the pods that consist of the trailers we live in.
That being said, it's all a crap shoot as to whether you're on the protect or contain side.
As I look out the window of my room, I see an 8' high T-wall. Beyond the wall is a gravel road about 30' across. Good, I'm protected, right? Well, if an explosive happens to land in that roadway, yep, I'm protected, and the blast is contained. BUT, what if that same munition happens to land in that 4' space between my trailer and the T-Wall? *BOOM!* All of a sudden, I'm on the containment side, and anyone in the road would be protected.
Like I said, it's a crap shoot. Still, they do provide a sense of protection, that that goes a long way towards our peace of mind, even if they do block the view.
You've seen T-Walls too, everytime you drive through a construction zone. They're much shorter, and typically wider, and go by the moniker 'concrete barriers.' Their purpose is exactly the same - they protect the workers on the other side, and contain whatever mayhem traffic may cause in the thru lanes.
Are they protecting us from traffic in Iraq? Hardly. Their job is to protect us from most types of lobbed or rocketed munitions. Could be mortars, could be grenades, could be rocket powered grenades (RPG's). They're typically placed around the perimeter of most buildings, and around the pods that consist of the trailers we live in.
That being said, it's all a crap shoot as to whether you're on the protect or contain side.
As I look out the window of my room, I see an 8' high T-wall. Beyond the wall is a gravel road about 30' across. Good, I'm protected, right? Well, if an explosive happens to land in that roadway, yep, I'm protected, and the blast is contained. BUT, what if that same munition happens to land in that 4' space between my trailer and the T-Wall? *BOOM!* All of a sudden, I'm on the containment side, and anyone in the road would be protected.
Like I said, it's a crap shoot. Still, they do provide a sense of protection, that that goes a long way towards our peace of mind, even if they do block the view.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
CALIENTE!!!
Today's official temperature was 122*, and that was in the SHADE! Ah yes, summer's here. :P
You have no idea what that kind of heat feels like. Closest thing would be to preheat your oven to about 500*, then open the door while standing right in front of it. It's searing.
And you know how people talk about windburn? Well, when the wind is blowing with this kind of heat, the wind does literally burn you. Unfortunately, not much getting around having to walk to work, walk to chow, walk to the gym. You just get used to it.
So, a couple of hot months ahead, then September, and VACATION. When I return the temps will have broke, and started the slide into Fall. Life is Good.
Sorry I haven't written in a while. I'll post more on my day-off. There was some excitement here a couple of weeks ago I want to tell you about.
Till then, stay cool!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Happy Upcoming Summer Solstice!!!
Oh boy, it's almost summer. The high temps are already right around the 120* mark. Hard to believe it'll get even warmer, but it will.
I'm watching the color of the sky as I write this. It's gone from sunny to grey, grey to yellow, and now yellow to orange. That's never a good sign. It means dust, or more likely, a dust STORM. No one likes those. Dust EVERYWHERE, carried by a scorching hot wind. Time to find my goggles.
Today's my day-off, and I needed it. For a fairly easy job there's alot of stress at work. And no, I'm not going to get into it. Just glad to have some time away from the place, even though there really wasn't anything to do today. Pretty much stayed inside where it was cool, and not dusty. Oh, I did sweep my room, and clean out my fridge. At least I accomplished something constructive.
Also planned my flight home. Vacation is still 12 weeks away, but everyone plans early. We need something to look forward to. Flying back to MO cost me a bundle, but thankfully my company gives us a travel credit (which almost covered the entire cost of it) after six months, and again at the end of our contract.
I've been away from home for three months. It's gone by fast, but never fast enough. Listening to the folks that have been here a while, they say the first few months are the longest. Again, thank goodness.
I've always enjoyed the desert life and environment, but this place isn't Arizona. About the only thing they have in common is the heat. I'd always thought that one day I'd like to move back to AZ, but I think being here has cured me of that. Besides, Jan's not that thrilled with the desert anyway. So, we'll go somewhere with trees and water. :)
No real excitement here in Taji lately. There's going to be a group of three comedians at the Pavilion tonight. It'll still be over 100* when they start, but I bet there'll be a good turnout. We kind of latch-on to anything from the outside world. More like grasping at straws.
Anyway, Allan and I are gonna go. Probably eat in the courtyard for a change, too. What shall I have? Burger King, Subway, Popeye's, Taco Bell, or Cin-a-bon? No, definitely NO Cin-a-bon. Oh, there's Pizza Hut, too...but I don't like pizza. We'll find something.
More soldiers seem to be leaving Taji. No idea how many, but it's feeling more sparse around here. It's all part of the Iraq troop drawdown. Should have some Iraqi Army members start to move over to this side soon, too. That'll be different. Just one step closer to turning the base back over to them eventually.
I'm so happy I'm not in Afghanistan, like my friends Joel and Jim. They're in Kabul, thankfully. Yes, it's still very dangerous there, but nothing like the southern part of the country, near Kandahar. Things are just rough there. The surge is beginning...
Yep, I'm pretty spoiled here in Taji. No complaints at all. I'll contend with the heat, the work, and the food (which has been getting rather mundane lately).
BTW, speaking of food - A couple of weeks ago I must have contracted a little intestinal bug. No idea where - could have been the water or the salads. Moot point now. For 11 days I was...well...having to stay close to a restroom. One day I visited the restroom 12 times! Kaopectate helped the most, but not after trying a complete round of Imodium/Loparimide.
This also brought to light a harsh reality of being over here - lack of medical care.
If there's danger to one's life, limb, or eyesight, the Army docs will see you at the clinic. If your condition is something less than life-threatening, they want you to take a day-off from work, board a helicopter, fly down to Baghdad, and visit a contractor clinic down there. Wow, talk about inconvenient. And if you have a problem with gastrointestinal distress, do you really want to take a chance on a bumpy, hot, helo ride, then a bumpy, hot, shuttle drive about half an hour to the clinic?
Nope.
Thankfully, OTC meds finally helped me. Would have rather had REAL meds, but the option just wasn't there. I'm very appreciative one of my good friends is a medical doc back in the States, and I'm able to ask him about these maladies that darken my doorstep.
The process kinda sucks.
Oh well. Just nine more months to go.
Almost 5p here, and the sky is getting lighter. Maybe the storm passed over us. Take care, all. Leave comments, or write when you can. Miss you all.
a
All gussied-up in my dust-prevention wear.
I decided that one thing I really do NOT like here is having to use a porta-potty when the temp is anything over 100*. The plastic walls are hot and pliable, ventilation is non-existant, there's that sickeningly-sweet smell of blue liquid/feces that makes you want to hold you breath, and there's the residue of people that 'missed' the target. Better to hold it till you get to a REAL bathroom.
I swear, I don't know how some things work around here...
I'm watching the color of the sky as I write this. It's gone from sunny to grey, grey to yellow, and now yellow to orange. That's never a good sign. It means dust, or more likely, a dust STORM. No one likes those. Dust EVERYWHERE, carried by a scorching hot wind. Time to find my goggles.
Today's my day-off, and I needed it. For a fairly easy job there's alot of stress at work. And no, I'm not going to get into it. Just glad to have some time away from the place, even though there really wasn't anything to do today. Pretty much stayed inside where it was cool, and not dusty. Oh, I did sweep my room, and clean out my fridge. At least I accomplished something constructive.
Also planned my flight home. Vacation is still 12 weeks away, but everyone plans early. We need something to look forward to. Flying back to MO cost me a bundle, but thankfully my company gives us a travel credit (which almost covered the entire cost of it) after six months, and again at the end of our contract.
I've been away from home for three months. It's gone by fast, but never fast enough. Listening to the folks that have been here a while, they say the first few months are the longest. Again, thank goodness.
I've always enjoyed the desert life and environment, but this place isn't Arizona. About the only thing they have in common is the heat. I'd always thought that one day I'd like to move back to AZ, but I think being here has cured me of that. Besides, Jan's not that thrilled with the desert anyway. So, we'll go somewhere with trees and water. :)
No real excitement here in Taji lately. There's going to be a group of three comedians at the Pavilion tonight. It'll still be over 100* when they start, but I bet there'll be a good turnout. We kind of latch-on to anything from the outside world. More like grasping at straws.
Anyway, Allan and I are gonna go. Probably eat in the courtyard for a change, too. What shall I have? Burger King, Subway, Popeye's, Taco Bell, or Cin-a-bon? No, definitely NO Cin-a-bon. Oh, there's Pizza Hut, too...but I don't like pizza. We'll find something.
More soldiers seem to be leaving Taji. No idea how many, but it's feeling more sparse around here. It's all part of the Iraq troop drawdown. Should have some Iraqi Army members start to move over to this side soon, too. That'll be different. Just one step closer to turning the base back over to them eventually.
I'm so happy I'm not in Afghanistan, like my friends Joel and Jim. They're in Kabul, thankfully. Yes, it's still very dangerous there, but nothing like the southern part of the country, near Kandahar. Things are just rough there. The surge is beginning...
Yep, I'm pretty spoiled here in Taji. No complaints at all. I'll contend with the heat, the work, and the food (which has been getting rather mundane lately).
BTW, speaking of food - A couple of weeks ago I must have contracted a little intestinal bug. No idea where - could have been the water or the salads. Moot point now. For 11 days I was...well...having to stay close to a restroom. One day I visited the restroom 12 times! Kaopectate helped the most, but not after trying a complete round of Imodium/Loparimide.
This also brought to light a harsh reality of being over here - lack of medical care.
If there's danger to one's life, limb, or eyesight, the Army docs will see you at the clinic. If your condition is something less than life-threatening, they want you to take a day-off from work, board a helicopter, fly down to Baghdad, and visit a contractor clinic down there. Wow, talk about inconvenient. And if you have a problem with gastrointestinal distress, do you really want to take a chance on a bumpy, hot, helo ride, then a bumpy, hot, shuttle drive about half an hour to the clinic?
Nope.
Thankfully, OTC meds finally helped me. Would have rather had REAL meds, but the option just wasn't there. I'm very appreciative one of my good friends is a medical doc back in the States, and I'm able to ask him about these maladies that darken my doorstep.
The process kinda sucks.
Oh well. Just nine more months to go.
Almost 5p here, and the sky is getting lighter. Maybe the storm passed over us.
a
All gussied-up in my dust-prevention wear.
I decided that one thing I really do NOT like here is having to use a porta-potty when the temp is anything over 100*. The plastic walls are hot and pliable, ventilation is non-existant, there's that sickeningly-sweet smell of blue liquid/feces that makes you want to hold you breath, and there's the residue of people that 'missed' the target. Better to hold it till you get to a REAL bathroom.
I swear, I don't know how some things work around here...
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Sizzle....
Well...summer's here.
The temps are now routinely in the 100s. Later this week we should be into the mid-110s. And even though that will be scorching hot, it's gonna get hotter. The hottest temperature recorded in the United States is 134*F, at Death Valley. In Libya, which isn't that far away from Iraq, it once got up to 136*F.
Maybe that's why we don't have pavement here - it'd melt.
Thankfully, the humidity is next to nothing, unlike Phoenix, which has so many swimming pools, canals, and irrigated lawns, that it seems more miserable there.
Well, it's Tuesday, and my DAY-OFF! :) I work six 10-hour days, so I really look forward to this one day.
My typical Tuesday starts off by (usually) sleeping-in. I get up a bit before 8a, and meet my friend Allan for breakfast (he works nights, and gets off at 8a). We talk of base happenings, work, and stories of home, and future plans.
After that, I head back to my room and start cleaning. It's amazing how much dust and dirt gets blown in. Of couse, our doors and windows don't seal all that well, so maybe it's not so surprising.
I also drop-off my laundry - there are no facilities to so it ourselves, so we have to leave it at one of numerous 'drop points' on base. Typically, if you have them in by 12n, it'll be ready by 5p the next day. I can then pick it up on the way home from work.
Tuesday is also a great day for catching-up on e-mails, finances, and whatever else. Since it's so hot outside, might as well stay in where it's cool.
I also just lay around and watch TV. Days off are days to r-e-l-a-x...
Oh there was some excitement at Taji recently...
Yes, it was a testosterone rush for all the Army guys. I caught the last 10 minutes or so. They are good dancers, but it was like being at a football game without the football.
Other than the sporadic USO-style acts that come though here, about the only other thing we have to look forward to is Friday Night Karaoke, and no, I really don't look forward to it.
It's 1p right now. Normally I'd be thinking of lunch, but I'm having some gastrointestinal distress today. I'm so happy Jan included some Imodium in the CARE package I received from her last week. She takes such good care of me. :)
That's it for today. Take care, everyone. Stay cool.
It's nap time...
I forgot what this is - it's either dried mud, or my skin.
One of our laundry drop-offs.
Yes, we have a mosque in Taji. We have a number of Muslims on the base. Thankfully, the loudspeakers don't blare out the daily prayers.
No, I don't know why there's an old, red pickup with flames on it here. Somethings will forever be a mystery...
The temps are now routinely in the 100s. Later this week we should be into the mid-110s. And even though that will be scorching hot, it's gonna get hotter. The hottest temperature recorded in the United States is 134*F, at Death Valley. In Libya, which isn't that far away from Iraq, it once got up to 136*F.
Maybe that's why we don't have pavement here - it'd melt.
Thankfully, the humidity is next to nothing, unlike Phoenix, which has so many swimming pools, canals, and irrigated lawns, that it seems more miserable there.
Well, it's Tuesday, and my DAY-OFF! :) I work six 10-hour days, so I really look forward to this one day.
My typical Tuesday starts off by (usually) sleeping-in. I get up a bit before 8a, and meet my friend Allan for breakfast (he works nights, and gets off at 8a). We talk of base happenings, work, and stories of home, and future plans.
After that, I head back to my room and start cleaning. It's amazing how much dust and dirt gets blown in. Of couse, our doors and windows don't seal all that well, so maybe it's not so surprising.
I also drop-off my laundry - there are no facilities to so it ourselves, so we have to leave it at one of numerous 'drop points' on base. Typically, if you have them in by 12n, it'll be ready by 5p the next day. I can then pick it up on the way home from work.
Tuesday is also a great day for catching-up on e-mails, finances, and whatever else. Since it's so hot outside, might as well stay in where it's cool.
I also just lay around and watch TV. Days off are days to r-e-l-a-x...
Oh there was some excitement at Taji recently...
Yes, it was a testosterone rush for all the Army guys. I caught the last 10 minutes or so. They are good dancers, but it was like being at a football game without the football.
Other than the sporadic USO-style acts that come though here, about the only other thing we have to look forward to is Friday Night Karaoke, and no, I really don't look forward to it.
It's 1p right now. Normally I'd be thinking of lunch, but I'm having some gastrointestinal distress today. I'm so happy Jan included some Imodium in the CARE package I received from her last week. She takes such good care of me. :)
That's it for today. Take care, everyone. Stay cool.
It's nap time...
I forgot what this is - it's either dried mud, or my skin.
One of our laundry drop-offs.
Yes, we have a mosque in Taji. We have a number of Muslims on the base. Thankfully, the loudspeakers don't blare out the daily prayers.
No, I don't know why there's an old, red pickup with flames on it here. Somethings will forever be a mystery...
Monday, May 17, 2010
BOONDOGGLE!!!
Hello, Everyone --
I had an absolutely terrible day yesterday. Just needed to make it through today, and then I'd have a day-off.
Well, I made it through my Monday...and it was the best day I've had since I arrived here. :) Funny how that works.
The day started off, as all my days do, with a call to my Sweetie. Something about hearing her voice first thing in the morning that just sets the mood for the day, and she always makes me happy. :)
Work was work - thankfully easy and smooth this morning. About an hour before lunchtime our Site Manager pokes his head into our office and asks what our plans are for lunch. I said, "Well, I think we'll head on up to the DFAC and see what they have to offer." He said, "Want to go out for lunch?"..."Sure!"
The only options we have for eating around here are the two DFACS, and the food court area. However, he offered us one additional option - The Other Side...
The Other Side is East Taji...the IRAQI side.
Lunchtime came, and off we went - four of us in the company Nissan pickup. The trip over there didn't take long - the Iraqis are just on the otherside of our airfield. We did have to pass through a checkpoint and a guarded gate, but that was it. ITT has a small contingent on that side, handling communications. They're located in a small, but very comfortable, and well appointed compound, guarded by decendents of Indian Ghurkas, some of the fiercest warriors there have ever been.
Inside the compound we were greeted, and led to the food. On the menu was Carolina-sytle pork ribs, BBQ beef ribs, (a little-too-overcooked) steaks, roast turkey, turkey fried rice, salad, and dessert choices of brownies, strawberry cheesecake, or apple pie. Mmmmm mmmmm...
Our cook was a good ole boy from...Carolina. He really enjoyed cooking for us, having gotten up at 4a to start marinating the ribs. His efforts were evident.
After a very filling lunch, we took a tour of the compound. They have all the comforts of home, but it's very compact, and maybe a little claustrophobic. If you like wide-open spaces, it's not for you.
We took a break from the heat in a room constructed between two sets of trailers. Everything inside was handcrafted - the windows, the benches, the cabinets, the tray ceiling. It was well air-conditioned, and was setup with cable TV. We didn't want to leave.
But leave we eventually did. After leaving the compound we drove around the Iraqi base. Some of it is still pretty rough - we did a number on it with all the bombing during the height of the war. The Iraqis are rebuilding, but it's slow, and it's a large base.
Right now, the Iraq Army has officer candidate training facilities, and limited helicopter operations. It's pretty sparse. We (the US Army and Air Force) are guiding and helping them. Just hope they don't use all this good training and equipment against us in the future.
Eventually, the US will turnover the rest of Taji back to the Iraqis. Some say it'll be in a year, some say it'll be a few years. Either way, I'm sure they'll love coming over to OUR side, where the living is easy (HAHA).
Our tour ended back at the gate that separates the two sides. Our IDs were checked, and a cursory inspection of our vehicle was done, then *poof* we were back on 'safe' soil.
It was a good lunch, and the kind of boondoggle I really needed.
Now, I can REALLY enjoy my day-off. :D
P.S. Sorry, no pix. :(
P.P.S A boondoggle is a term we used on the ice for time off from work to get out and do something different, usually out of town, and always someplace scenic.
I had an absolutely terrible day yesterday. Just needed to make it through today, and then I'd have a day-off.
Well, I made it through my Monday...and it was the best day I've had since I arrived here. :) Funny how that works.
The day started off, as all my days do, with a call to my Sweetie. Something about hearing her voice first thing in the morning that just sets the mood for the day, and she always makes me happy. :)
Work was work - thankfully easy and smooth this morning. About an hour before lunchtime our Site Manager pokes his head into our office and asks what our plans are for lunch. I said, "Well, I think we'll head on up to the DFAC and see what they have to offer." He said, "Want to go out for lunch?"..."Sure!"
The only options we have for eating around here are the two DFACS, and the food court area. However, he offered us one additional option - The Other Side...
The Other Side is East Taji...the IRAQI side.
Lunchtime came, and off we went - four of us in the company Nissan pickup. The trip over there didn't take long - the Iraqis are just on the otherside of our airfield. We did have to pass through a checkpoint and a guarded gate, but that was it. ITT has a small contingent on that side, handling communications. They're located in a small, but very comfortable, and well appointed compound, guarded by decendents of Indian Ghurkas, some of the fiercest warriors there have ever been.
Inside the compound we were greeted, and led to the food. On the menu was Carolina-sytle pork ribs, BBQ beef ribs, (a little-too-overcooked) steaks, roast turkey, turkey fried rice, salad, and dessert choices of brownies, strawberry cheesecake, or apple pie. Mmmmm mmmmm...
Our cook was a good ole boy from...Carolina. He really enjoyed cooking for us, having gotten up at 4a to start marinating the ribs. His efforts were evident.
After a very filling lunch, we took a tour of the compound. They have all the comforts of home, but it's very compact, and maybe a little claustrophobic. If you like wide-open spaces, it's not for you.
We took a break from the heat in a room constructed between two sets of trailers. Everything inside was handcrafted - the windows, the benches, the cabinets, the tray ceiling. It was well air-conditioned, and was setup with cable TV. We didn't want to leave.
But leave we eventually did. After leaving the compound we drove around the Iraqi base. Some of it is still pretty rough - we did a number on it with all the bombing during the height of the war. The Iraqis are rebuilding, but it's slow, and it's a large base.
Right now, the Iraq Army has officer candidate training facilities, and limited helicopter operations. It's pretty sparse. We (the US Army and Air Force) are guiding and helping them. Just hope they don't use all this good training and equipment against us in the future.
Eventually, the US will turnover the rest of Taji back to the Iraqis. Some say it'll be in a year, some say it'll be a few years. Either way, I'm sure they'll love coming over to OUR side, where the living is easy (HAHA).
Our tour ended back at the gate that separates the two sides. Our IDs were checked, and a cursory inspection of our vehicle was done, then *poof* we were back on 'safe' soil.
It was a good lunch, and the kind of boondoggle I really needed.
Now, I can REALLY enjoy my day-off. :D
P.S. Sorry, no pix. :(
P.P.S A boondoggle is a term we used on the ice for time off from work to get out and do something different, usually out of town, and always someplace scenic.
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