R&R
Mood:  a-ok
We have returned from our R&R in Dubai and boy did we have fun! Chris was a very wise man for deciding NOT to take me back to the states, because I honestly do not think I would have returned….

We really did “rest and relax” on our R&R. We shopped a lot, got several massages, spent time by the pool, on the beach and being typical tourists. The most fun I had was going on a Desert Safari. We went 4wheeling on the dunes and even surfed down a few dunes too! Our tour guide for the desert safari was Mr. Hussein. Chris and I laughed when we got the message that Mr. Hussein would pick us up in the morning. The morning of our tour – he picked us up and I about DIED when Chris got confused and called him Sadam! He was a really nice guy though and it seemed to roll right off his back…. While we were 4wheelin on the dunes – I looked over at Chris and he was white as a ghost and breaking out in a sweat. I asked if he was OK – and he said NO. We had to stop and he got up front with Mr. Hussein. He was fine while he was upfront. I was glad because I was having so much fun that I did not want to quit. The surfing was great too. I was glad that Mr. Hussein drove down the dunes to pick us up each time so that we did not have to climb back up to surf back down each time! The surfing was so much fun! We actually used snow boards to surf down the dunes. I screamed all the way down each time I went! We also rode a camel!

We learned a few lessons while we were there. The first lesson we learned is that even though you tell them you are paying in US dollars – they will give you AED price instead…. I told the cab driver that gave us a ride from the airport that we would be paying in US dollars and assumed he would quote the price in USD- well – when he said 60 dollars – we thought he meant USD and that is what we paid him. It was actually 60 AEDs – which is only about $20 in US – so that cost us! We learned quickly though!

Something that I found amusing was the bidets! I had heard of them – but to see them in all the public restrooms was quite amusing. I kept wondering how the women used them without water running down their legs! I was tempted to try one out at the airport – but was afraid I would end up soaked! As luck would have it – we had one in our hotel room :) I was right – I ended up with water everywhere! Glad I did not try that at the airport!

There are many different cultures there – as well as a wide array of manners…. I was amazed to see men eating rice with their hands – like savages! I guess it is their culture though…

Our hotel was in Sharjah – which is about 30 minutes from Dubai – one of the other Emirates. It is a much more conservative area. No alcohol, no pork – more traditional Moslem there. There was a mosque right next door to our hotel. We could hear their call to prayer – I remember there was a debate back in the states on if they should allow them to do their call to prayer. I remember that lots of people said it was annoying. I really did not find it annoying at all. I actually found it quite relaxing – but then again – I am used to hearing lots of BOOMS- so anything would be better than that! There were lots of mosques all over – they are beautiful buildings.

The last day we were there – we decided to just kick back and do nothing. We went out to the beach and lay under an umbrella. I feel asleep in the shade and woke up in the sun. Needless to say – my back got fried. Nothing worse than wearing a flak jacket when you are sunburned! Luckily though, I did not peel.

Another lesson we learned is that when you fly in the Mid East – it does not matter if you buy a round trip ticket and pay for it in advance. You must call the airlines 72 hours prior to your return flight to confirm or they will cancel your ticket! We found that out when we went to the airport the day we were supposed to fly out! I was freaking out – I told the lady – YES I do have a ticket – and kept pushing it in front of her to show her. She finally brought the manager over there who informed me of the 72 hour policy. I said “Since When” He said it has ALWAYS been a policy in the Mid East. He was kind enough to go ahead and issue us new tickets without charging us. (Thank Goodness). The people there are very friendly. One thing I did notice is that you do not see very many women. We went by several parks and there were plenty of men and children but I did not say ANY local women – only one female tourist.

And of course, the military flights back from Kuwait were exciting as usual – lol. We flew from Kuwait to Al Asad on a C-130. Landings out here are nothing like the landings on a commercial air flight! The pilots do what they call “combat maneuvers” when they land. They warn everyone ahead of time and show you where the barf bags are because you are not allowed to throw up on the floors of the planes. ;) The combat maneuvers are kind of like an amusement park ride – you sort of float in the air and then do a nose dive and go quickly from side to side. I guess I am a sick puppy – because I actually think they are fun :) It is also fun to watch everyone’s expressions. It is funny to see some of the tough Marines turning green. I guess in some ways I can be tougher than them :) The flight from Al Asad to Camp Fallujah was on CH53 which is a cargo helicopter. This was our first flight on one of these – we usually fly on a CH46 which is a smaller cargo helicopter. The CH53s are really big – and they rain inside! Only they rain oil – not water. We were both on different flights – and we were both covered in oil when we returned. Our clothes were ruined and we are in the process of getting issued camis to wear on our next flight. They say if you are in a CH53 and it does not leak – you are in trouble, because they are “supposed” to leak. Is that crazy or what? I am just really bummed that I wore my favorite pair of jeans and my purple boots which are both now ruined.

We have been SO busy since we returned. I got back to Camp Fallujah before Chris because we stopped in Al Asad and I only stayed there one day but he needed to stay longer. It has been really hard to be back here after having a break and feeling normal again. I would be lying if I said I was not ready to come home now – but it looks like we will be here until at least the end of this year. We have started the process of moving to our new office but have been so busy that it will be a slow process. I am looking forward to the new space – more room and we have our supplies, training area and work area all right there together. That will be nice not to have to go back and forth to the different places once the temperature exceeds 100! It was 98 yesterday!

It is a lot different here than it is in the states. Here, if you are driving and see someone walking, it is no big deal to stop and offer them a ride – I would never do that in the states! Anyway – on one of my three trips to the detention facility today, I picked up a couple Marines to give them a ride to their camp over by the South Gate. One of them was only here temporarily. He is actually living out in the city. He has a very dangerous job and a couple of days ago, his convoy got hit by an IED. He was knocked unconscious and received a concussion, but luckily he is OK. It is really surreal to talk to some of these guys and hear their stories.

Well ~ I guess I have rambled too long as usual. We miss you all and I miss the states! Please e-mail us when you have a chance!

Love to all ~ Be Happy

Sandy