Let’s Enjoy a Day Off

Well, we start out pretty much the same way with getting ready to go to work. But usually I lie around in bed for a while longer and sleep in a bit, or read or get on my computer and check email, news, and messenger. Maybe I’ll watch a movie.

Come the heat of the day I’m restless and want to go out. Don’t ask. I know it’s really not very bright to be heading out at the noon hour when the sun is hottest and here in Iraq… that’s saying something.

So it’s 109 degrees. But not very much humidity!! J I head over to the bus station. I’m going to go to the Bazaar. In need a phone card and an electrical cord for these Asian plugs. So I get on a bus and off we go. Of course we have to show our badge as we enter the Bazaar, and I look around at the array of unique and strange things for sale. Some are even made in Iraq. I go buy my phone card and find the outlet I wanted.

If you want to mosey around a little bit, you’ll notice many of the items are just the same kind of things you would find in a bazaar or yard sale anywhere in the States. There are all kinds of cleaning supplies, electronics, tools, and then there are some clothes, some are just typical pants and shirts, some are name brand sportswear, some are handmade outfits from the Middle East, they measure you and sew them (they usually just have to be fitted, not freshly made) right there while you wait. There are hand crafted carpets, the really awesome kind that you find hanging on walls rather than being walked on. There is a resident artist who will take in a picture you bring in of someone and paint it on canvas or velvet in different sizes. Some of these pictures don’t turn out to look like the people in the photos, even when they do them over four or five times, but some of them are incredible likenesses. They also have a lot of premade Middle East looking paintings and they aren’t terribly expensive. All through the building there are people selling glassware, gold-plated items and silver that came from some palaces or were made in the likeness of something that was owned by the rich. They also sell relics of Sadam era utensils and coins and paper money. Then, as you are ready to walk out… in case you didn’t notice as you walked in… there is the “India” display, an entire corner of brass or bronze (or whatever it is) elephants, incense burners and hookahs and all manner of junk that you can get in any little place that sells Indian items. OK... time to get out of here and go to the “Big PX”.

Now, since you aren’t allowed to take a bag into the PX, I took my purchase out of the bag, stuffed the bag in my pocket and with receipt in hand they allowed me to walk into the PX toting my merchandise.

I have this thing about having to buy at least one DVD when I go to the PX. OK, usually it’s more than one, but I get there so seldom that I allow myself at least one. I got a bunch of cleaning supplies, a towel and some hair care products. They also sell frozen meat (a lot of people buy this for their Saturday or Sunday Bar-B-Q’s) and lots of refrigerated foods and drinks along with tons of junk food and a wide variety of packaged foods that don’t need to be refrigerated. They have rack upon rack of military wear, stuff you can’t buy if you don’t have a military ID, mostly shorts, T-Shirts, gym clothes, running clothes, jackets and sweats. Then there is the knife section… one of my favorite, mixed in with flashlights and all kinds of military gadgets. There are the towels and sheets and blankets section, and the magazine and book section, all close to the computer and camera and electronics sections. There’s more, but it’s too long and boring to list. Suffice it to say, pretty much, if you need it here, they have it.

So after waiting in line and paying for my items I get out and after passing all the patches and jewelry and coin kiosks, I decide I’m hungry. A walk around the perimeter takes you past Taco Bell, Cinnabon/Seattles Best Coffee, Popeye’s Chicken, Burger King and places to sit to eat the stuff you buy if you don’t want to take it with you. After that I pretty much have to leave. Most places don’t like you going inside with packages. But all that is left on the other side is the beauty shop, an electronics store, a jewelry store/gift shop, a car and motorcycle store… don’t ask… never been inside or asked anyone else about them, and I believe an ATT calling area.

So, back on the bus. Back to Victory. Back to my trailer where I unpack and store everything I bought and then off to Green beans for my treat and then back to the trailer, pack up for a shower, go get fresh, then come back to drink my coffee, spend a few hours on line, do some reading or movie watching and then get some sleep. After all… it’s been a long day and I have to work tomorrow.

See, this is my hard life on a military base in the middle of the Iraqi desert. If it weren’t for the heat, the lack of family and the incoming, this would be a great place to be.