Getting Home

Getting ready for takeoff

The first big turn-when I almost lost my bag

Golf on top of a building in Baghdad

On top of the building

Time with my sweet nieces

Saying goodbye to the Madster after a quick visit

I left here on May 1st early in the morning.  I arrived in Kansas City on May 6th, in the evening.  It took a LONG time to get home.  A very long time.  The trip was a roller coaster.  There were some things that happened that were so unbelievably cool, I couldn't believe I was a participant.  There were also some lows-one in particular you will probably enjoy.  I will explain.

When we flew out on Sunday morning, I was in great spirits.  Absolute good as Madison would say.  I realized that whoever was first would be able to sit next to the door on the helicopter, so I jumped in front of Derek.  I sat right next to the door, strapped in, the guy told me to watch my bag, didn't close the door, and we took off.  We started our ascent.  The helo in front turned to the right.  We did too.  It was my side.  I had my bag, but it still almost fell out of the door.  Once the helo righted itself, I quickly tightened my straps even more and had a death grip on my backpack.  We only flew with the door open for the first leg of the trip, but let me tell you, it was unbelievable.  We flew over the perimeter of Camp Taji and I quickly noticed that there is a ton of grass and so many palm trees all around.  That was a huge surprise-considering all the dust and dirt we have on base. It was so much more beautiful than I expected.  Everything I had seen up to this point was on the other side of a wall.  This was the first chance I had to actually see (even if it was from the air) the country.  We had several stops before ours.  We got to fly all over the place.  I will never forget flying with the door open.  It was incredible.

We went to the office, checked in, dropped off our luggage, and went to hang out.  We went shopping-sort of (didn't really buy anything), climbed to the top of the huge building that is there, played some golf...on the roof, had lunch at the best D-Fac in Baghdad (maybe not, but it felt like it), and had a fun day.  Later, we had to take the Rhino to another base.  Lady luck threw another amazing opportunity my way.  The driver, on the way up to his seat asked Derek if he wanted to ride shotgun.  This was less than a minute after I had just told Derek that I would like to ride in the front so I could see.  So, Derek let me ride in the front.  Holy Moly.  If I thought I got to see a lot of Iraq on the helicopter earlier that day, I was really seeing it on the drive.  It was a great experience.  I don't think I stopped smiling the entire way.  I went to bed on top of the world.  I had a very cool day, and was on my way home.

There really isn't much to say about being stuck in Kuwait.  It is not very fun.  There is not a lot to do there.  It is hot.  People are constantly arriving and leaving so the lights stay on in the tents ALL the time.  This also discourages the mice.  A lady in my tent said the mice thing is important because, "the cobras that eat the mice here in Kuwait are poisonous."  I wanted to say, "As opposed to cobras elsewhere?" But I didn't.  I just smiled and agreed.  I did get to see a comedy show while I was there.  It just so happened that there were 3 comedians touring.  2 of them were from the show "Last Comic Standing."  They were all very funny.  I laughed a lot.  After 3 days in Ali, it was time for me to go-I could not have been more ready.

I got to Istanbul and had a major meltdown-which I will tell you all about later, so this post doesn't get too long.  I left there the next morning and finally made it to KC.  It was nice to be home.

Back in the Sandbox

For those of you keeping track, I am back in Kuwait.  I arrived early this morning.  I had several long flights and was ready for a shower.  I came through customs, waited for the bus that would bring us back to the base, lined up when it was time, and walked through the doors outside.  I got smacked in the face by a hot, dusty wind.  We were right in the middle of a good one-sandstorm that is.  A lady I had been talking to said "Welcome back."  Welcome back indeed.  It felt like someone threw sand in my eyes.  It seems the sand has messed with a lot of travel plans so I might have to stay here longer than I wanted.  Oh well.  I have several things to write about but I am going to wait until I get back to Taji and am using my computer.  Until then, lots of love-M.

Defining Moments

I have a friend who had a habit of saying things were "defining moments" whether it was a moment in a basketball game, or a moment in something bigger.  Sunday was a defining moment for the world. 

I walked in to the D-Fac under a clear blue sky after a sleepless night in the coldest tent in Iraq on the most uncomfortable cot in the world.  I was groggy and wanted to go back to sleep-in a real bed.  I went through the motions of scanning my card, getting a tray, plate, and plasticware and went to stand in line.  I glanced up at the TV quickly reading the headline, "Osama bin Laden is Dead" before glancing away.  My head snapped back up.  What?  Really?  After all of this time, is it true?  I picked up some breakfast and sat so I could watch the news.  I watched many people do the same thing I had done.  It was so surprising.  As Derek and I ate, I said, "It just doesn't feel real.  I feel like I have been waiting to hear that news for so long."  It was surreal.  We watched President Obama give his speech about it and saw people celebrating on the news.

Less than an hour later we were on a bus to another airport and the driver had the news on.  It was nice because it was a repeat of the President's speech-which I had a hard time hearing the first time.  I looked around outside the bus and wondered how much of our being there was a result of bin Laden's actions.  How would our lives had been different if he had been captured sooner?  A guy got on the bus, takes a seat, the driver cranks the volume of the news again and we take off.  A few seconds later, the guy asks, "Is that real news?"  "Yes sir.  It is."  "We'll I'll be doggone.  They finally got him."  (Words spoken with a smile on his face and a hint of a chuckle).

I read in the newspaper this morning that it was 66 years ago TO THE DAY that the fall of Hitler was announced.  I find that to be a very interesting piece of information.  The very same day.

I don't think anyone has any idea what this means for the world.  It is too soon to tell, but there will be some changes.  In the very least, people will perhaps be able to get some more closure to the events of Sep. 11th.  I can't believe that it has been almost 10 years.  For now, it means that I am going to take extra percautions in my travels over the next few days.  Only time will tell what other changes there will be.  Lots of Love, M.