I've been traveling quite a bit and just got back from Bucca. Bucca is a prison in southern Iraq and only about 5 km from Iran. It's very hot there and can be very humid too since it's also only a mile from the Persian Gulf. On the last day in Bucca we had to carry around our gas masks 'in case.' There was 'intel' that Iran 'might' do something. It's not something that one does without thinking... hmmm, could this really happen? Anyway, I'm back at Tallil and glad not to be traveling for a bit.
On the way to Bucca we stopped at a Burger King. Around the world in some VERY remote locations you can usually find either Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway or all four. It says something but I'm not sure what.
Here's a pic looking across the street from Burger King we stopped at on the way to Bucca with Amber in the foreground. About 10-15% of the contractors here are female. It's a tough environment and can be especially so for women. When I visit a camp, I usually stay in a tent on a cot with a sleeping bag and maybe a pillow. Women however, visitors or not, always get a hooch or container.
Bucca is Very desolate and on the way there we went though a fierce sandstorm. You don't drive during a sandstorm you stop and hope something big doesn't smash the windows. We were in an armored Tahoe so I took some pics. The winds are about 50-60 kts.
On the way to Bucca we stopped at a Burger King. Around the world in some VERY remote locations you can usually find either Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway or all four. It says something but I'm not sure what.
Here's a pic looking across the street from Burger King we stopped at on the way to Bucca with Amber in the foreground. About 10-15% of the contractors here are female. It's a tough environment and can be especially so for women. When I visit a camp, I usually stay in a tent on a cot with a sleeping bag and maybe a pillow. Women however, visitors or not, always get a hooch or container.
Bucca is Very desolate and on the way there we went though a fierce sandstorm. You don't drive during a sandstorm you stop and hope something big doesn't smash the windows. We were in an armored Tahoe so I took some pics. The winds are about 50-60 kts.
posted by Chris in Iraq @ 12:41 PM
2 Comments:
At 5:26 AM,
Stephen said…
What kind of things might break your windows in a sandstorm? Does it happen often? Sounds scary!
At 8:51 PM,
Chris in Iraq said…
A sandstorm blowing at 50-60 kts can pick up all sorts of stuff that can easily smash a window. They usually happen in the spring (we seemed to get a minor one at least once a week around March-April.) They can happen anytime of the year though.
Yes the 'intel' was for 22 August. This date is a 'remarkable' day in Islam when Mohammed ascended to heaven (or something to that effect.) Needless to say it is very unnerving to have to carry the damn gasmask around for any period of time.
R/Chris
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