Camp Arrival
I've arrived safely in Kuwait after a long but decent flight. We flew from El Paso to Fort Polk for about 3 hours, then to Baltimore for about 4 hours. From there we made an 8 hour journey to Germany, and then a 4 hour trip into Kuwait. At most stops we had a 2 hour layover, but it was good to get out and stretch my legs.
At Fort Polk we sat in a large hangar, at about 4:00am and ate some kind of funky cake with weird crystals as we watched the stoner movie "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle" on a large screen. Anyone who's seen this movie knows it made for an interesting experience, especially considering the circumstances. A few Red Cross workers (I believe) came out to see us off and shook everyones hands. High on Cake and Coca-Cola we headed for Baltimore.
Once there they unleashed us into the airport where we all quickly hit up the pub for our last drinks and a bit of food. I opted for eggs over easy, with bacon, toast and a 24oz Guiness. It was a good breakfast.
From there we were off to Germany which was relatively uneventful. We spent a couple of hours in a small terminal in the midle of the night. The prices for food were outragous topping off at about 3 dollars for a shot of coffee. They had a duty free shop that sold cigarettes which everyone gobbled up. I found it funny that the boxes in Germany had giant phrases that took up half the box that said things like "Smoking will kill you".
The last leg went by quick, and we found ourselves at an airport in Kuwait. From there we were sent with an armed escort and I was separated from most everyone I had known from the last two months. We were sent to the West (I think) where we'll be staying at a Camp in Kuwait. Supposedly we'll be here the entire time but I haven't gotten confirmation on this yet. So far it doesn't seem that bad here. More on this later.
posted by Jim Tourville @ 4:53 PM
11 comments
11 Comments:
Glad to see you made it to Kuwait safely. I think about you and pray for you each day. I think what you are doing is very brave and will be a once in a life time experience. Make the most of it. Perhaps when we both find our way back to the states we can get together and share our experiences from abroad. Stay safe and stay positive!
Kristin
Hi Jimmy,
So glad to see that you made it safely. It sounds like you had a real interesting trip. It is funny that you mentioned the beer you had. John Saucier had told me that there is usually one stop made on the way to grab a beer. I love to being able to read all your comments. It is great to know how things are going. Please know you are always on my mind and in my prayers. Love you, Lisa
Jimmy,
How ya doin? I'm interested in how the surroundings are. I heard from a medic in the air force that Kuwait is more modern than most people think. Like McDonalds and Pizza Huts are everywhere. I guess modern isn't always better, in fact im sure its not. Can you take pictures? Kendall and I are serious about sending disposables out there. My dad still has all his from Vietnam and they were so interesting. Kuwait's history is amazingly brief and inflated. The way I learned about it in college was that the British needed a foothold in the gulf after oil became big for the navy, so they gave the tip to a nomadic tribe after WWI.
Anyway, Kendall and I finally found a place to have our reception. We were waffling on our first choice, and then this weekend we stopped at the Inn at Whiteface and a lightbulb went off. And it's a lot cheaper. We spent the whole weekend sledding at Rainbow Lake near Paul Smiths. It's been surprisingly warm the past few days so you don't need a spacesuit to go outside. Kendall rocked out her play that she's been gearing up for in Placid, a repeat of "THE GUIDE" and original ADK play. She's Elizabeth, a rich woman from providence RI who came up to the camp to get married and falls in love with a guide, her fiance's best friend. She did really well. She sparkles on stage. They're doing it again next weekend and they're going to produce a DVD, so maybe we can make a copy and send it to you. If you want. It's better than Harold and Kumar, that's for sure. Everything is pretty much the same with me... work and sleep, but it's been a good week. Wish you were home to hang. Bring back some sand for me, if you can find any:).
Jimmer,
I am so glad your safe. You have been on my mind constantly. That would be great if you stay in Kuwait. I went to see Grandma last night before her trip to Florida. She is thinking of you!! Take care and know we are all here thinking of you.
Love you, Julie
To be honest I don't even have any idea where Camp Patriot is, but there is a large mix of branches walking around. The internet here is so frustratingly slow that I'd compare it to the AOL dial-up I used in 1997. To make it more complicated there are only about 5 computers for what must be at least a thousand or more soldiers. I'm going to try and ask more about the place when I get the chance, but lately I've only been with people that have just arrived.
I have tomorrow off so I'm hoping that I can take a few pictures and figure out some way to upload them. It's been a busy week of going to remote ranges near the Iraqi border, I'll post more on this later.
Thanks for everyones responses they're great to read!
Hi! I'm so happy you are there safe and sound..and that you got one of your favorite beers to make the long haul seem a little shorter. I am going over to see your parents this Thursday, thought we could watch some TV..sure will miss you being home, it's great snow shoe weather, we could do Lyon Mt in the winter next year! I miss you and of course you are in my prayers constantly.Love Ash
Hi! I'm so happy you are there safe and sound..and that you got one of your favorite beers to make the long haul seem a little shorter. I am going over to see your parents this Thursday, thought we could watch some TV..sure will miss you being home, it's great snow shoe weather, we could do Lyon Mt in the winter next year! I miss you and of course you are in my prayers constantly.Love Ash
Hi Jimmer,
Hope everything is good with you. Gram and I are leaving this morning to go to FL. Let us know what you would like in a "care" package and when we could send one. Wishing you safety and sending our prayers, A. Audrey and Gram
Jim
I am so glad to hear you made there ok. Sounds like you had a very long trip. My thoughts and prayers are with you every day. Let us know what you would like us to send.
Love, Jackie
Hey Jimmer-
I a so glad your trip over went well..I am amazed at how you keep your spirits so high. I think about you day and night and pray for your safety. I am anxious to find out what exactly you will be stationed doing. I suppose I should mention the surprise party we threw for Lori's 40th birthday.. I wont mention any names because that would just not be very nice.. But lets just say that a certain two in-laws were in rare performance that night!!! We miss you very much and cant wait to hear from you again.. Take care and I love you!!! Meaghan
the pagan community of burlington, vermont gives you merry part and merry meet again. happy imbolic, vern.
-buck
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