| Hello from Baghdad (word from Ripintou) (again) [message #163573] |
Sun, 17 July 2005 16:58  |
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Crimson
Messages: 7429
Registered: February 2003
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Karma:
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General (5 Stars)
ADMINISTRATOR |
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Hello Everyone
Yahoo is unblocked again so I'm able to get a word out. Many sites are blocked so we're unable to visit many sites that we want too ... including gaming sites 
The 12-16 hour days catch up to me every once in a while but I somehow find the energy to press on. Reached the half way point so I'm hoping it's all down hill from here. The night for me starts at 7pm so I'm usually up by 5pm to get ready and find some chow and a smoke. Live in tent city so it's a small 1/4 mile walk to work, it may not be far but with 30ish lbs of gear on and 122 degrees ... it takes its toll. Get to work and regroup my relaxed focus to the mission focus and prepare for a long night. After shift is over and work is done, time for the walk again, shower, read and usually asleep again by 9-10am.
Had a near miss the other day ... A 107mm rocket fired by an insurgent landed 15ft from where I was working, fortunately it didn't go off but it did drill itself down 7ft into the ground ... talk about counting your blessings!!
The temperatures are getting hotter even at night, sometimes in the 100s at midnight ... phew! See plenty of different insects here including camel spiders, scorpions, sand flies and many weird looking critters. You have to keep good hygiene here or the bugs will find you.
Many of the Iraqi people/military/police risk their lives/families working with us, but I don't turn my back on them. As well as the US forces we have the fellow British here, Australians and other European countries all working together to help Iraq get back onto its feet. We're still loosing soldiers every day ... I really hope this dwindles to a stop. We're getting lots of support for the troops back States and it's deeply appreciated, so those who have donated something or even said a kind word ... Thanks!!
I've taken many pictures of which I'll show upon my return but here are some for now -
Take care all and keep the flag high!
Ripintou
(Dave)
I'm the bawss.
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