Arrival

Well, it’s been a wild week or so..  Let’s catch up.

 

The flight from JFK to Dubai was uneventful, but the ride was nice.  Emirates Airlines has an awesome fleet of 777-300ERs that have great in-flight entertainment.  Movies, TV, music, and you can even view cameras installed in the nose and underside of the plane.   How cool is that?

The Dubai International Airport in the UAE is easily the most gorgeous airport I’ve ever seen.   Hotels could take lessons on decorating their lobbies; it’s that nice.   A quick trip through immigration and customs and just like that, I was in the Middle East.    After a short night at the airport hotel, it was back to the terminal to head to Iraq.

The flight was on the former Iraqi Airways, now quasi-called Jupiter Airlines.   I have no idea where the name came from, and it doesn’t appear at the airport or even at the ticket counter.   It was, however, on the ticket, and I guess that’s all that really matters.  

The flight was an uneventful 2 1/2 hours.  We landed at Mosul Airport and went into immigration.   First word of advice: Have copies of ALL of your paperwork; passport front page, LOA (military Letter of Authorization), and your DOD ID card (“CAC card”).    Not having these caused heartburn as we were delayed for 30 minutes until we figured out that they wanted photocopies.  Fortunately, one of the airport offices made copies, and were were processed.  All in all, they were very nice, and we all shook hands at the end of the ordeal process.   I was even psuedo-renamed Yosef by the group.  

We were met by a company rep and brought over to COS Marez.   We went to the dining hall – which was the first shocker.   The dining hall (called the “DFAC”), surpasses many a company cafeteria back in the States.    The DFAC suicide bombing here in 2004 has ratcheted up security, so I am not able to get pictures of the place – but I was literally slack-jawed.   I was not expecting hot, fresh, and downright GOOD food.   The meal choices are varied – fish, chicken, tacos, pasta, salad, fruit, burgers (cooked to order!), etc, etc, etc.    And since it is an all-you-can-eat buffet each time, you really have to be careful that you do not gorge yourself to the point that your distended stomach becomes lodged under the table.  

The second surprise was the PX.   I was expecting it to have a few basic necessities and to be out of stock a lot based on the reading I had done.   I could not have been more wrong.   The PX has all the best stuff from military clothing sales and the Commissary, plus PX stuff like stereos, computers, and iPods.    I quickly realized that I won’t need to have much sent from home.   The two things I could NOT find: Good bug spray and clear, spray-on sunscreen.   Everything else, thus far….  Done.

So now, on to learning the job…

Departure

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go
I'm standing here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breaking, it's early morn
The taxi's waiting, he's blowing his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could cry.

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go.
I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go.


With all the travel issues resolved and the intermediate week having passed, departure draws nigh. I spent the extra time taking care of some last minute things, re-packing my trunks, and generally trying to enjoy the last bit of time with the family before I "really" go.

I finally managed to settle on the one elusive item - a rolling backpack. I'd been advised to use a backpack for my carry-on bag, but I wanted one that could also roll like luggage - while I may have to grab-and-run in desert environs, I also will be in more civilized areas like Tampa, JFK, and Dubai airports - so why kill my back? Most places wanted $125 and up for a backpack - and yet again, K-Mart came to the rescue with a $25.00 solution. I was going to forego my normal laptop bag (which rolls) in favor of another one (with a shoulder strap), but it was so jam-packed that it seemed ridiculous. So last night, I moved everything back to the original laptop bag - which held everything much more efficiently. I'll have to hand-carry it (it is weighed down to the point that I think a shoulder strap would snap!), but if that be the price...

Yesterday was pretty emotional; I took my daughter out for a last "Daddy-Daughter Date". We were going to go miniature golfing, but yet again the weather decided not to cooperate. So to the movies we went, where we saw "Imagine That" after a nice lunch of sushi. This was probably the worst movie we could have picked -- a movie about the love between a father and daughter - and I wound up unable to control myself and broke down. Later, while talking to my oldest son (all of 4 years old), again, I broke down. The reality that I will not see them, play with them, or hug and kiss them for a minimum of 5 months (and likely longer) is hitting home -- and hard. No more nights on the couch with the wife watching TV, no more family days to Busch Gardens.. Everything seems so final for some reason. Although intellectually I know that I am coming home, emotionally it feels like I am leaving forever. I do certainly hope that once I get there and get to work that I get in a groove and keep busy so that I don't think about it too much.

The NY family, meanwhile, is planning to "kidnap" me at JFK and take me out for a pizza dinner. I'm glad that I will be able to see them all again one last time (there I go again).

See you all on the other side.

Reprieve

I was informed by my boss tonight that there was a problem with my flight from Dubai to Iraq. Since it's a weekly flight, I've been further informed that I will be departing a week later. Thankfully, this gives me some time to pack somewhat more intelligently.

We had some friends over for a going-away party. There were a lot of kids, a lot of chaos, and a lot of cake. I've got some awesome people in my life, for whom I am thankful.

Twenty Four Hours

So much to do, and so little time - so this will be brief.

I've been running around pickup up last minute items, packing, and saying some goodbyes. Had lunch today with some of the guys from ex-job Fortress Technologies. It was great to see them and nice to be invited out; even two years removed from the job these guys still cared enough to want to see me before I left. I really hope that Fortress does OK for their sake.

Tonight some friends are coming over for a little pre-departure get-together. Before that, I have to finish packing my trunks and run them up to the office. Still getting the laptop squared away, fortunately I have until tomorrow to finish that.

I'm at that stage where I am wondering what I am forgetting to pack or do and getting frazzled because of it.

Top Ten Reasons I Am Happy To Go To Iraq

..An exercise in optimism.


10. I won't have to drive 30 minutes to see sand.

9. Getting paid to get a tan.

8. My mere presence in the region will cause Iran to behave.

7. No stinky diapers for one year. 'Nuff said.

6. The bliss of being employed in the only country in the world with a worse economy than the US.

5. Ya know, it's been raining way too much in Florida lately....

4. My high school guidance counselor was big on "life experiences".

3. Generator power. Living in pre-fab housing. Destruction all around. Great post-hurricane survival training!

2. I can get started on that Iraq-Tampa pipeline and make mad money on the 8 cent/gallon gas!

1. NO MORE MICHAEL JACKSON NEWS!!

Two Days

Much more progress to report.

I've obtained my CAC card - the smartcard-based military ID that I will need to show pretty much anywhere to do pretty much anything. I also obtained my LOA -- Letter of Authorization -- granting me permission to travel to Iraq. I was advised to carry 20 copies of the LOA with me at all times while traveling; you'll give a copy (or two, or three) at each step of your journey in-theater. I have obtained my shipping trunks and finally found khaki cargo pants, cargo shorts, and nice matching shirts -- and quite by accident -- at a K-Mart, of all places. Best of all, the shirts were on sale - but as with anything at K-Mart, it comes at the price of aggravation.

The shirts had a price tag (in sticker form) that said "$6.99 or 2 for $11.00". A sign over the table said, "50% off Regular Price". So, with my rudimentary math skills, I calculated that 2 shirts would cost $5.50, or $2.75 per shirt. Fits the budget. SOLD! However, somewhat skeptically, I asked the saleslady in the Mens Department if that was indeed how it would be rung up, and she answered in the affirmative. Great! ...Until I got to the register, where they rang up for $3.49. When I asked about it, the cashier said, "Well, the $6.99 IS the regular price". When I pointed out that the regular price for 2 was $11.00, she told me that the 2/$11 was already a discount price. I countered with logic, pointing out that the sign said that it was 50% off the regular price, and that if I could have purchased 2 for $11 before the 50% sale, that $11 WAS the regular price. To make a long story short, the next 10 minutes involved a (rather rude) manager, the saleslady in question, and my Googling and invocation of certain Florida Statues and relevant case law on retail pricing. Finally, I emerged victorius - $6 richer for the experience. Hey, money's tight.

I still didn't have enough of everything, and so after a stop at a Wal-Mart for the shipping trunks, I stopped at another K-Mart down the road a bit. Same pants, same shirts, and yes, you guessed it, same argument. This time, however, I was ready. As soon as the manager approached the checkout, I showed him the price tag and asked what the regular price for two shirts would be. "$11.00", he replied.

"OK, so if the sale is 50% off the regular price, than the sale price is $5.50, right?"

"Yes... Uh... But no, the $11 is already a sale price.."

"No, you just said it was the REGULAR price."

"But it's already a discounted price.."

"Granted, but according to Florida Statue, the labeled price IS the regular price.."

He caved.

It was then that I got an idea why the K-Marts were virtually deserted while the Wal-Mart was packed.


It appears that I will intitally go to Camp Marez, in Mosul, where I will spend a little time learning the physical infrastructure a bit and getting acclimated to the environment. I'm not yet sure where I will be assigned for the duration.

On a more personal side, the rapid approach of the departure date is hitting everyone pretty hard -- except the boys, who are too young to understand (ah, to be a kid again...). Intellectually, everyone (including Courtney) understands why I am doing what I am doing. Emotionally, however, it's a different matter entirely. Separation issues, distance issues, environmental issues... What's funny, however, is that while everyone is worried about my safety over there, I'm worried about how well Ty will cope with not only the day-to-day aspects all by herself for such an extended period, but also whatever extraordinary events may occur (hurricane, car accident, fire, serious illness, etc..). I'm also extremely concerned about Courtney and how she will adapt. I would like to think that she'll cope as time goes on.... But I'm not convinced yet.

Up until now, this has been mostly an intellectual exercise for me - but now the realities are hitting home. I am confident that I can hack it over there -- heck, how many already do? I know I can do a bang-up job over there. I'm just not sure how the overall situation will affect me. "That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger" -- looks like I will be putting this to the test.

Pardon my little emotional sojurn. I realize that I am repeating myself a tad from previous posts, but to me, this blog has three purposes -- to keep my family and friends updated as to what's going on, to hopefully fill a vast hole in information available to those contemplating taking this step (like what to pack, etc), and as a journal of sorts for me -- to get out what's on my mind; a little blog-therapy, if you will.