Archive 2008 - 2019

Report from Peter Hill in Iraq to Holliston

by Peter Hill
7/16/2008

 

The MWR building is a giant tent that has 500-seat auditorium, a room for watching DVDs with beanbag chairs and recliners, five pool tables (better practice, Dave and Deb), four ping pong tables (better practice, (Vicki, Hank,David), a huge selection of paperback books, phones and obviously, Internet use.
 
The walk down here isn't too far, but boy it is dusty. The sand here is more like talc powder. Very very fine. We were happy the first two days here because it wasn't as dusty as Baghdad, but today visibility is only about 1/2 mile.
 
I have been thinking of what I would like to get in my care packages that I have been getting from some of you. So, here goes -- No candy (unless it's sugarless). Raisins or dried cranberries are good (thanks, Chris). Much better for me. Gillette fusion razor replacement blades, gel shaving cream.
 
Oh, what else!!!!! Brain freeze. I was going to say OREO's but...not healthy. I can splurge occasionally and just buy them here (maybe). I don't have cold milk to wash them down so it's not really worth it. We do have milk but it's boxed. No refrig necessary, no shelf life. Yuck. Good enough for cereal in the am though.
 
ATT phone cards only.  They own the trailers the phones are in. I would need an ATT card to call the 1-800 # on the back of the other cards. We received a bunch of 35-minute cards of a different company and they don't work.  We will donate them to someone back in the states, maybe a college or something.
 
I really have everything else, I guess. Well, at least what I need. I know I brought way more than I needed, but how do you know until you get there. I just don't want to have too much stuff to bring home. Vicki will kill me for cluttering up her nice neat house when I get home. I might have to store stuff in my inlaw's basement. (It's almost empty!!!!!!) 

We started a fitness program today. Up at 0530, run 1/2 mile to the gym, work out 45-60 minutes and then go clean up and eat before work. Four days a week. We have Fridays off, unless the Colonel is around.  Weekend PT is on our own. I think this is just what I needed. I was getting lazy in
Baghdad.
 
The food here is good. We have a main line and a short order line. Main line has at least two choices every meal. Example, tonight we had BBQ ribs or chicken, mashed or rice, cauliflower or green beans with mushrooms. Short order is always the same --  grilled cheese, hot dogs, fries, cheese burgs. They have a great salad bar, an ice cream bar, pastry bar, healthy bar (non-fried foods, boneless skinless chick, fish, etc.) They have a sandwich bar --  make your own cold cut sandwich with choice of bread, sub roll, etc. They also have a Mongolian grill. Pick your own ingredients and they will grill it up with beef or chicken, soy sauce or others.

If you can believe it, some soldiers still complain. Back in 2003 OIF 1 soldiers were eating MRE's 2-3 times a day. Just in case they get too sick of the D-Fac's food (dining facility) they have a Burger King right across the street!!! I have not had BK since
Fort Bragg. They also have a McGyros. Grilled lamb kabobs in a pita style bread. I will try that this Friday for lunch.
 
I've been watching a lot of movies here due to lack of Internet access. My roommate has over 140 with him, thank goodness. I have read five books in the last two months . I am about to start a series. I hope they are good.  Then I won't have to go hunting for more choices.

I am trying to come home in Sept to go rafting. I'd hate to have a year without it. I am trying to get it authorized through Battalion.We'll see.

Oh by the way I was only kidding about your basement, Mom and Dad, ha ha ha.

Once we get established with work up here. I'll tell you what a normal day looks like for me. I can't upload any pictures so I'm going to mail a disc home to Vic and she can pick a couple to show. I'll have a slide show when I get home. Sensored for the children.

Hopefully this is the last time we will move. Unless the palace is involved with free wireless. OOOOH, does anybody have an old wireless modem I could have? So I can set that up in my room when we arrange for internet in our rooms. That way we can split it between us. $75.00 / per room unless we get a bunch of people to go in. There are only six of us from our unit up here, so we have some networking to do. literally.

Gotta run, Love to all,
Pete