Ah, Kuwait!

Ah, Kuwait! Bordered by Iraq to the north, Saudi Arabia to the west & the Persian Gulf to the east, it serves as the primary logistics hub to both the U.S. & the Insurgents. Her landscape is hard on the eyes & is mostly sand & rock. Kuwait looks its best after nightfall, even better if observed through shut eyelids. Why anyone would proudly call this place home is beyond me.

We finally arrived in-country after a long, 16 1/2 hour flight that began just before 2 a.m. on Friday & ended at around 5 a.m. on Saturday. While in the air it seemed as if our plane was chasing the sun; indeed, we caught the sun & eventually passed it as darkness once again enveloped us. Imagine, if you can, the jet lag from which we suffered.

Eventually we would arrive at the place we would come to know as our home for the next few months. Ironically, it is known as "Mayberry" to the men & women who stay here, for the camp is small compared to the others in Kuwait. But I can't complain: We have free room & board, a Morale, Welfare & Recreation building & we're paid a whole $3.50 in per diem a day.

After we were afforded the remainder of Saturday to sleep & recover from our long journey we were given our assignments & sent to work. Yes, our first day was Sunday, & it did not begin with the ringing of church bells but with a muezzin calling on all faithful Muslims to prayer.

Being one of eight sailors assigned to a vessel team I am busy only so long as there is a ship in port; otherwise I have a short work day. I am keenly aware that those who are not on a vessel team are envious & I believe that it won't be long before they begin to voice their displeasure. Indeed, they have already begun to do so in spite of their strenuous two days on, one day off work schedule.

As it stands right now my day begins at 9:45 p.m. & concludes usually around 1 p.m. the following day. Although we relieve the other vessel team around midnight, we have to first pick-up our weapons, commute to the work site & eat. When our shift is over at noon we have to return to our camp, which explains why our day typically ends at 1 p.m. But, of course, if no ship is in port we can leave early.

My beloved wife was able to expeditiously mail out my trunk & as a result I have already received it. Which is good for all of us, because in that trunk is stowed a camera. Hopefully I will be able to sneak a few photos of where I'm staying & maybe even download them to this site.