B: "H-e-l-o-s. It is short for helicopters."
A: "Oh. Right."
Helicopters. More helicopters than I have ever seen or heard in my life. They are all around. In fact, I had to opportunity to fly in one. It was truly an unforgettable experience. I hope that when I am 98, I can still remember the day I got to fly in a helicopter. It was HUGE, which I found surprising. There was a ramp on the back that didn't close all the way. It was put up for landing and takeoff, but lowered for the flight so we could look out the back and see the sights. It was night and mostly we saw lots of lights. It really was unbelievable.
The photo I am going to post I did not take, but a coworker was kind enough to let me use it here. If you look very closely, you can see an outline of a soldier sitting there, very near to the edge. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life.
For me, the sound of this war is the helicopters. They are constantly around. At night we can't see them, but I hear them. It is funny because when I first got to Baghdad I was reading a book in which one of the characters is a helicopter pilot. I have a new fascination with them and am thinking that if I had to do it all over again, I might be tempted to choose helicopter pilot as a profession. To get to school, part of our journey is around the airfield. So, while riding in the car, I am able to watch these machines and the fascination grows.
This is really fascinating! I look forward to hearing more about the helicopters.
ReplyDeletePersonally, Matia, I'll never forget that trip to our first TESL post in Iraq. The 'Chinook Helicopter Taxi' was the best ever, by far. And, the sense of camaraderie that the group shared by helping one another with those enormously heavy 'Duffle Bags' - looking out for each other. Wow, the entire essence! We were all in it together. Such memories. It rings true what Twain had said, "You will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did." No regrets, eh! In the end, thanks for sharing that moment in time, not only with me but with the whole group as well.
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