I don't think I have ever slept as hard as I did the night before. I had been awake for a total of 28 hours and traveled over 7,000 miles. I looked at my iPod which was in EST and attempted to figure out what time it was. It said 2:14am...hmm so that means It was just after 10am. I was being picked up for lunch at noon. I turned around and peered through the curtains behind my bunk.
I must have stared out that window for a good five minutes. I couldn't even believe or comprehend where I was. I was really here.
The first order of business was to organize my stuff I threw on the ground haphazardly and FINALLY take a shower. I slept in the ACU's I had been wearing since Monday morning EST (It was already Thursday morning Kuwait time...disgusting eh?) I found clean clothes and methodically put everything in my locker the EXACT way it had to be for Basic Training and AIT (Funny how that training sticks with you). I took a shower and shaved, put on clean ACU's and I felt like a million dollars. I still had some time before I was being picked up so I watched pre-recorded CNN news in the waiting area by the entrance to the barracks. I also put myself on the waiting list for permanent living quarters.
I was temporarily staying in the barracks until there was room for me in the permanent quarters. Big difference between the two. Barracks are large open rooms with about 60 bunks in them. All the bunks are in these little cubicle-like squares probably about 8'x8'. Each room sleeps about 100 men and there are 4 rooms per floor over three floors. They can cram us in here like sardines! The permanent living quarters is a converted warehouse with rooms in it. Each room has two beds, TV, desk and lamp with lockers for each soldier. Much more space to spread out as well as privacy. I was number 7 on the list to move to the permanent quarters (As of today I am number 2).
It was about 10 to noon and I decided to venture outside. I walked out was surprised at how dirty the air was. Lots of pollution in the air and everything smelled and tasted like the exhaust of a school bus. I figured it was due to all of the generators everywhere with the lights on them. They must run thousands of these every night and they must all be diesel fueled.
My ride showed up and I went to eat with three specialists in my office. The plan for the day was to eat and then in-process some more. It makes sense, because you have to go all over the place to fully in-process into my forward unit which means I learned where everything was. It's pretty easy to navigate this place. One main road going through the middle of what is sort of like a big circle, as long as you hit the circle or the main road, you can't get lost. Everyone always says, "If you get lost just go towards the water tower". You can see that water tower from anywhere here so it's a helpful clue in getting around. Along all of the roads and buildings there's huge concrete barriers and mortar shelters. Included are pictures on how to protect yourself in case of indirect fire or rockets. A friendly reminder of exactly where in the world you are in case you forget.
I went to all of the places necessary for my unit to know where I was and I was given the rest of the day to go get things that I need and to get settled. The PX here is really nice. I bought bedding and pillows (the bedding issued to me had to be returned after 7 days), a couple more essentials and my internet card. We have to pay $35/month to get the wi-fi access here. I spent a lot of time wandering around afterward. You have to walk everywhere and it's spread very far apart. Its about a mile round-trip from the office to the barracks, add in the walk to the dining facility three times daily and my 2 mile run every morning and I am clocking about 4 or 5 miles a day on my feet. Good place to be if you want to get in shape! That day went very fast and I wasn't fully adjusted to the time so by 7pm I was exhausted. I got on the internet and had a brief chat with the girls before they had lunch then went to sleep.
I must have stared out that window for a good five minutes. I couldn't even believe or comprehend where I was. I was really here.
The first order of business was to organize my stuff I threw on the ground haphazardly and FINALLY take a shower. I slept in the ACU's I had been wearing since Monday morning EST (It was already Thursday morning Kuwait time...disgusting eh?) I found clean clothes and methodically put everything in my locker the EXACT way it had to be for Basic Training and AIT (Funny how that training sticks with you). I took a shower and shaved, put on clean ACU's and I felt like a million dollars. I still had some time before I was being picked up so I watched pre-recorded CNN news in the waiting area by the entrance to the barracks. I also put myself on the waiting list for permanent living quarters.
I was temporarily staying in the barracks until there was room for me in the permanent quarters. Big difference between the two. Barracks are large open rooms with about 60 bunks in them. All the bunks are in these little cubicle-like squares probably about 8'x8'. Each room sleeps about 100 men and there are 4 rooms per floor over three floors. They can cram us in here like sardines! The permanent living quarters is a converted warehouse with rooms in it. Each room has two beds, TV, desk and lamp with lockers for each soldier. Much more space to spread out as well as privacy. I was number 7 on the list to move to the permanent quarters (As of today I am number 2).
It was about 10 to noon and I decided to venture outside. I walked out was surprised at how dirty the air was. Lots of pollution in the air and everything smelled and tasted like the exhaust of a school bus. I figured it was due to all of the generators everywhere with the lights on them. They must run thousands of these every night and they must all be diesel fueled.
My ride showed up and I went to eat with three specialists in my office. The plan for the day was to eat and then in-process some more. It makes sense, because you have to go all over the place to fully in-process into my forward unit which means I learned where everything was. It's pretty easy to navigate this place. One main road going through the middle of what is sort of like a big circle, as long as you hit the circle or the main road, you can't get lost. Everyone always says, "If you get lost just go towards the water tower". You can see that water tower from anywhere here so it's a helpful clue in getting around. Along all of the roads and buildings there's huge concrete barriers and mortar shelters. Included are pictures on how to protect yourself in case of indirect fire or rockets. A friendly reminder of exactly where in the world you are in case you forget.
I went to all of the places necessary for my unit to know where I was and I was given the rest of the day to go get things that I need and to get settled. The PX here is really nice. I bought bedding and pillows (the bedding issued to me had to be returned after 7 days), a couple more essentials and my internet card. We have to pay $35/month to get the wi-fi access here. I spent a lot of time wandering around afterward. You have to walk everywhere and it's spread very far apart. Its about a mile round-trip from the office to the barracks, add in the walk to the dining facility three times daily and my 2 mile run every morning and I am clocking about 4 or 5 miles a day on my feet. Good place to be if you want to get in shape! That day went very fast and I wasn't fully adjusted to the time so by 7pm I was exhausted. I got on the internet and had a brief chat with the girls before they had lunch then went to sleep.
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