Two rockets hit the compound a few weeks ago; both of which actually hit our living area (as you can see). One detonated, and the other planted itself in the floor of a lucky bloke's room. No one was seriously injured.
Another angle of the one that detonated. It's not uncommon for us to receive incoming...we live in the Green Zone after all, and it's part of the deal.
Unrelated to these rocket pics (and somewhat ironic), it's time for me to come home. I had a great experience, and don't regret any of it. I'm also glad I didn't go out with a bang (pun intended).
Actually, I needed to get out of Iraq because I was starting to burn out. It wasn't the danger that got to me, or the job, or the people I worked with. It was the routine: day after day, living in the same small room, taking the same short walk to work, eating the same breakfast/lunch/dinner, same everything...you get the idea. It gets old after three years.
Enough complaining. So what now? What's my exit strategy?
That's easy: I'm already gone.
I left Baghdad, flew to Kuwait, spent a week there with friends, and am now in Romania, hanging out and relaxing. In March, I will return to the States, where I will spend a few weeks with my family and friends, probably make a snowboarding trip up to Mammoth, and spend some time pretty much doing nothing. After that, I'll see how I feel, and what's the next step.
In typical fashion, it wasn't fun getting out of Iraq. The night I left the Green Zone, another rocket hit our living area, but this one didn't detonate. Yes, that's a good thing, but it also meant everyone (myself included) had to wait inside while EOD (the bomb squad) came out to destroy the unexploded round. I was freaking out in usual form, because this delay was making me late and I could possibly miss my ride across town. But things worked out, and I made it to the airport in time.
Ironically, I flew out of Kuwait on Groundhog Day. Anyone who's seen the Bill Murray movie and worked in Iraq will appreciate the humor.
So...
Is this it? Certainly not. This isn't the end of DAN IN THE DESERT; just the end of a very long chapter. When I get home I would like to post some older photos I never had the chance to, so keep stopping in. I will keep the site up, and I'll keep posting, and maybe I'll even create a new journal if time allows.
It's been fun. Until then...
Cheers,
Dan
