Aug 11 - 15 2003 - IN TRANSIT

Okay, I'm off! I can't wait to see what kind of cool stuff they got down there. I hope there's a Mcdonalds. Burgers in Baghdad. I wonder what Iraqi babes look like under them towel thingies. I'd also like to get a squirt gun game club going down there... I bet they'd really dig that. Wow! I feel like Chris Columbus bringing cool stuff to the new land! This is going to be so much fun! I can't wait to get my own head-rag and robes. Bet they got good sandals, too.

I will no longer be able to check this e-mail address. My new addy is:  [email protected]

Wish me luck!

Love, Mike

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Well, I've made it to Kuwait, anyway. It's really really hot. Really hot. We'll be here for a few days and then off to Baghdad! Loads of fun so far. I'll send pictures when I can.

Haven't got alot of time, but everything's gone fairly well so far. I'll write a proper email as soon as I can. Wish us luck!

 

   Love, Mike

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  Well, you can all collect on your bets now, because I'm both in Baghdad and alive. The ride up yesterday was pretty wild! We didnt wind up driving in a military convoy it was just nine of us in 2 cars. Suburbans. The rules of the road, when driving in a 2 car convoy, from Kuwait City to Baghdad, are to keep the gas pedal all the way down and run over anything that gets in your way, (sand dunes, camels, people) and for the passengers to keep their eyes on people as you pass through countless small Iraqi villages, and not to stop for any reason whatsoever. ANY reason. It was a nine hour ride. Nobody got to pee. It may sound a little hairy, but it was actually a load of fun. Iraqis do actually seem to be happy to see us, for the most part. I think that the deaths you read about in the paper are mostly isolated sorts of incidents.
Baghdad is an incredible place. Parts of it are even beautiful. Its actually fairly green and not nearly as hot as Kuwait was. The two days we spent in Kuwait were around 120 to 130 degrees. Here its only 100 to 110 or so. I will be working in Saddams V.V.I.P. airport palace, at least at first, and then on to other palaces. Of which there are loads. We drove around the city today for some sightseeing we drove into Saddams secret palace compound, which until a few weeks ago, no Iraqi who wasnt a close friend of his had seen. Its on this lake which is surrounded by 64 palaces ranging from villa size to massive. There are lots of other palaces around the city more than Ive ever seen in such a small area, including the Potsdam gardens. The city seems pretty safe during the day time, but were not allowed to go out after dark with good reason. Aside from the obvious reasons, the military also enforces a midnight curfew. They drive around in tanks and shoot anyone they see. We heard gunfire last night.
I cant really begin to go into all the details of what its like here theyve already put us to work and I dont have a lot of free time as of yet. But on the whole it seems like this is going to be a really interesting time. Maybe even fun! It also seems safe at the moment were staying in an apartment building in town about 20 minutes drive from the military base, and no one seems tense or worried. In some ways we might even be better off here, but we will be moving onto the base eventually, anyway.

Ill try to keep in touch frequently, and although I know many of you hate mass emails, thats probably mostly what Ill be doing as internet access time is short until we get our personal housing set up, when well have our own internet connections.

Thats all for now till next time.

 

Much Love, Mike

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