DONE

Back in the USA, going to all of my final appointments and relaxing when possible. Thanks again for keeping in touch. Looking forward to catching up with everyone!

Last ten hours...

Only ten hours left in Qatar!

I begin my trip back to the USA Sunday, with a brief stop in Dubai. I
have enjoyed keeping in touch with many of you via email over the past
six months, and I look forward to hopefully seeing you in person soon!
My trip back to the USA will take me to Florida for 15 or so days to
finish up my paperwork with the military then back to DC the beginning
of October. Already excited to get back to DC and work. This
deployment has been very interesting and educational in many ways.
Looking forward to sleeping in, having a day off, RAIN, temperatures
below 100 degrees, good food and my queen-sized bed! Have a great
rest of your weekend, I am off to drag my suitcases to the car!

Andrew

Baghdad, Iraq

Here is a quick note from Baghdad, Iraq.

It has been an intense and incredibly INTERESTING couple of weeks
moving between Afghanistan and Iraq meeting with a number of
interesting people. Yesterday I saw John McCain while walking in to
eat lunch. That was a nice surprise, but sadly he was being rushed
out to his vehicle, so no photo or handshake. A few days ago I had an
quick ride in a helicopter from Balad to Baghdad. It was a nice to
get to talk with the crew look out the window at an illuminated
Baghdad by night.

The best part of this trip has been meeting a number of Iraqis who
work here on base. I had a great meal with about 10 of them tonight,
followed by a few hours of discussing the future of Iraq while smoking
shisha(tobacco). Everyone was very open and positive about the
changes in Iraq. All ten locals strongly believe the future of Iraq
is bright and that they will be able to stand on their own two feet.
At the same time, none of them want to see the Americans leave their
country. They embarrassed all of us by thanking America again and
again for the sacrifices the USA has made to help them along the way.

With that I am headed to bed. Hope everyone is doing well! Only 22
days left until I head back to the USA!

Andrew

Doha Industrial Area and Vehicle Servicing

Chalk the past three hours up to new experiences and new friends. This afternoon we convoyed over to a location in the city to pickup a few vehicles. The pickup area is smack in the middle of an off-limits area due to crime and other issues. The workers could not have been more friendly, motivated more to sit and chat then actually help us get our vehicles. From my original perch in a Yukon near the gate I go to watch the ridiculos traffic pattern of a one lane road, now turned into a four lane road with everything from Semi-trucks to bicycles going by... If only I had a camera.

Now fours hours later, I have had three cups of tea and a small handful of dried dates with our new friends. Back to work and hopefully a productive gym workout!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Spice Market

Quick post, here is a picture of some of what they have for sale at the local Spice Market in town.

Anyone need some raw saffron?

45 Days...

Well I am thrilled to say I have less than 45 days left until I return home to the USA!

I had no idea what I would find coming over here. This deployment has given me a chance to learn about a new country, and learn about myself. Working the past 5 months without a day off has been an experience. Once I get back to Florida I am looking forward to getting some long restful days in on the beach, sleeping in and kicking back doing anything but work.

More soon!

Sorry For the LONG Delay

Good Morning!

Wow it has been a few months since my last post. Things have been busy! I have been able to really explore Doha and have seen some great sites and tried some of the excellent food this city has to offer. My favorite place so far is Isfahan Gardens, an Iranian Restaurant in the old Souq(Market). I added a picture of the formal dining room to the post. Pretty amazing, huh?

Crazy to think my last post was after about 60 or 70 days...and now I have fewer than 60 days left. Time really moves by when you get into a cycle of work, sleep and working out. Planning on heading into Doha to buy some of the famous wood boxes sold here. They essentially use different types of wood to make an inlaid wood design. Well I am heading off to bed, more soon, I HOPE!