Iraqi Deer Camp, Gird Ur Loins

I feel as though I owe an apology to the Iraqi tourism department, in a previous post I wasn’t very friendly with regard to the landscape. I do have to admit the temperature this time of year is really nice. While there are a couple hours of actual heat “it is a dry heat” and there is always a nice breeze if you get out in the open or in our tanning bed atop the barrier. (See new pic on facebook) And the dust isolates the sun’s glow as it sets (which picked up today into a mild dust storm), and actually as I’m writing this, the guys came inside to play cards because it started raining, we’re expected to get .04” of rain today. As for flora and fauna, I found a tiny pink flowering plant out in the middle of nowhere (which could be everywhere here) and am going to go back for it with a pot to keep in our room, the army guys across the way have a plant they’ve been nursing which has larger white blooms. I have also seen a few Jackals at night and hope (kinda hope not) to see some of the deadly snakes that I wouldn’t ever see back home. This was all brought to mind by Job 37 this morning, I love the references to nature and God’s power in Job. Interesting we had lightning tonight after reading this, this morning. I can’t imagine what it would be like for God to say “Now prepare yourself like a man.”

Since we are starting up something new it’s been really slow going while they get everything set up. As a result this has turned into an Iraqi deer camp. We are supposed to be flying (hunting) but instead we stay up late playing canasta and since we sealed off our window and door with black out curtains to keep out dust it also seals out any sunlight (much like our tent), so then sleep in with no idea of how late it is. We did have all our intel/local area indoc briefings today so we should be moving some stuff pretty soon. I promise I won’t completely waste all your money…