A week in Iraq

I have been here for a week. After the usual jet-lag, I am getting more or less into a routine. My feet, legs, and back are in pain constantly. I have to do a lot of walking, and standing, I am not used to it yet. For two months, I have been sitting on my behind, in the house, surfing the net and looking for work.

I live in a trailer, it is called a "Containerized Housing Unit", or "CHU". The chow hall food, is typical of Iraq, excellent. I am amazed at how well our people are fed here.

This is a short-term contract, I will be here only 2-3 months, thankfully. My firm, will roll me into a contract in Afghanistan, when this project is completed.

Safe in Iraq

I flew from Dulles Field (Washington DC) Tuesday night. A 12 hour flight from Washington to Kuwait City Kuwait. The flight was ordinary, a long ride in a tiny seat. Food OK. Landed at Kuwait, and transferred to Gryphon airlines for the two hour flight to Baghdad.

Met at the airport by a company rep, and taken to transient barracks. Slept soundly. Got up next morning for lunch. Drove to a couple of sites. Then back in the bed for a long sleep. Getting over the jet-lag is tough.

My Iraq cell phone works, I can text back to the USA.

Heading back today

I am scheduled to fly to Kuwait tonight. I will fly on to Baghdad, then to my duty station. I am anxious to return to work, hanging out at the house, is tiresome.

Heading back soon

I am still an unemployed person. My previous contract completed on 8 November 2009, but I got severance until 28 November. On 8 Dec, I signed a new contract for work in Afghanistan. I still do not have a start date, here on 16 January 2010. I have a chance for some temporary work, and I will accept it, and do a project that lasts about 3-4 months, this is for a Florida firm.

I am anxious to get out of the house, and let the wife and her mother have some privacy. The MIL (Mother in Law) gets on my case all the time. Something always has her in a snit. It will be good to put some distance between me and the MIL.

I sent my TV link around to some of my friends, and they all got a chuckle out of seeing me on TV.

SEE ME ON TELEVISION!!!!

I was interviewed for the local TV station See

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0110/694864_video.html

(Cut and paste this link into your browser, or click on the link in the suggested links over here --->)