First Week In Kiuwait

The travel to Kuwait is a thing of the past.  Surviving the weeks in Kuwait is another story. I decided to break down my blog writing in one week increments. The first week is crucial to your weekly survival. In this week you have to in-processing the base, and its crucial because you will have to find a wingman.  The Air Force concept “Wing Man” refer to a person who has your back, and someone who will help you keep your mind off being home sick.  During this period you will also learn the layout of the base and work routines. 

     I found a “Wing Woman”, she and I decided to go walking at night because her goals lined up with mine.  She too would like to loose 25 pounds and finish her course fourteen (Military Course for Senior ranking). The only challenges we have is trying to get our schedule to match.  I have Sunday off and she has Saturday off but we will make do. Another challenges is we both work in different location. She works in Ali Al Salem and I work in Kuwait International Airport. Another problem is our work hours does not match either and I have to wait for her or vice versa.  Therefore we could only have dinner together.  Difficult situation but at least we can go walking/running at night.

    I hate it with a passion going to the dinning facility by myself.  I miss the days in Afghanistan, because I had two “Wing Man” and I always had someone to go with me at the dinning facility.  I guess it will be cereal for me during the days I have no lunch partner.  The easiest meal to have is cereal and that I can eat everyday.  I walk to the dinning facility, grab two to three cereal and milk, and I am good to go all day until dinner. Hopefully, I do find someone at work who will go and eat with me at the Kuwait International Airport dinning facility.  So far, am good with eating cereal.

   This week started good, on day one, my “Wing Woman” and I went to tour the base on foot.  Memorized some landmarks and by a couple of hours we knew the important building we may need to visit.  We found the theater, so we decided to utilized this facility on Friday, in which we will watch Iron Man for $3. On the second day, I was able to go off base and explore the mall.  I was not driving off base yet, I had my sponsor driving and we came across some camels.  She stopped to give me the opportunity to take pictures.  As we arrive to the mall, I was impressed on the size of the mall, layout, and designs.  One thing in common of all the mall in the world is the spending. People love to spend money whether shopping or eating at restaurants.  I realize or was told that the money conversion makes spending in Kuwait very expensive.  Just to show how expensive shopping is in Kuwait, here is an example: My sponsor purchased a cheese cake for 21 KD (do not know what the sign for Kuwaiti Dinar) which almost equivalent to $71. I bought 2 cup cakes at Sprinkles and paid 2.50 KD which is $8. Yes, the cupcake is expensive but it was beautiful. I wish I took a picture but maybe next time.  I came up with a conclusion, do not spend KD money.  I said, “I be broke before my Kuwait tour ended.” and I may need to save my money, if I plan to retire someday.   My “Wing Woman” and I enjoyed every bite of the cup cake while we were out for our daily walk.  We were laughing because we were exercising by walking, but on the other hand, we were stuffing our faces too.  I guess not a good start with our first goal but we swore not to make this into a habit.  I cannot wait until the third day.

     On the third day, it was time to go to Kuwait International Airport to work but the guard will not let me out because I did not have a card showing I work off base, so the guarded recommended to put me on a trip ticket but my replacement also know as my sponsor do not have template of the trip ticket.  Note to self have one handy dandy for the next rotation. Instead of working I end up staying at Ali Al Salem and run some errands (Get my eagle cash card, locate supply to get point of contacts for areas of supply and retrieve my M-9 at the armory to turn-in to ETDC for storage) and lastly go shopping at the concession stand on Ali Al Salem base.  I did very well, not a single item bought, except for coffee. Hopefully the fourth day will be better. 

    Fourth, fifth, sixth, and seven day devoted to observation period.  During this time, I had to familiarized myself in how my job is done in this particular area.  Basic knowledge of supply remains the same but there are specific information that one needs to learn for a particular location, mission, and leadership.  The transition phase of learning how it is done “Here”, the word referring to the location you are currently stationed wether deployed or transferred to another base, is what every military have to endure.  I have difficulties dealing with changes, even after 20 years in the military.  I dislike the fact that every move means re-accomplishing my system configuration.  one example is publishing the “GAL” in which is a process you have to do in order to send and received mail.  I have to locate the instruction and then load it, which it is not difficult, but this time I had some challenges because I could not locate the tool bar it is normally found.  Adapting to changes on programs is frustrating to me but the military has taught me to be flexible and overcome any challenges.  Yes, I do overcome those barriers and complete the tasks but my frustration have not lessen thru the years.  I go through a state of frustration and eventually it subsides.  I think the greatest challenge for me here in Kuwait is driving to and from work.  International driving is nerve wrecking until you are familiarized with the routes or the location.  Other countries have uniques signs and getting used to it, I must do.  In Kuwait, I have to look out for camels 

and crazy drivers.  Every where you go there are crazy drivers, those who change lanes without blinkers, people who will cut you off, and this place does not differ, name any traffic infraction and it is also found here.  Driving/traffic rules is not enforced here.   Therefore, I have to be extra vigilant when I am driving.  I just hope I remember where to turn, and not get lost.  At the moment, I still have someone coaching my turns but I hope I learn my routes quickly for the person I am replacing is soon going home and no more coach for me, I will be on my own.  In spite of all the challenges, I think overall I be okay.  Check out the camels we saw on the side of the road.

Travel to No Where

     Finally the day came it was time to leave Norfolk Virginia Beach. The layover was awesome for it was the day for maximizing my being a “Bum” and this how it felt like, no  deadline, chores or errands to accomplish and it was amazing.  Many people nowadays seem to lack days of relaxation time for themselves.  Life seem so hectic for many people but I get glimpse of what it means to do nothing.  The entire two days of doing nothing I had posted on my facebook that I was bored, but not once mentioned how much I was enjoying. I did enjoy my “Bum” days. Every good thing comes to an end and it sure did.

     The day of the travel and upon my checkout from lodging I met three personnel going to Kuwait too.  All of us were hungry and we came up with a plan to eat some where good.  One of the sergeant called a cab driver they have met the other day and the cab driver recommended an all you can eat buffet.  The selection of entree on the buffet line was awesome. The white fish I had on the buffet line was cooked to perfection.  Fish are normally difficult to maintain freshness on the buffet line and I had picked it over the general tsao chicken. Everything on the line was very good and for the price I paid it was worth going out our way before I deployed. So I had to stuff myself, like there was no tomorrow. 

   Now the time had come to report to the terminal, and at the terminal I was informed that I was booked incorrectly. My final destination was Al Udeid also known as Qatar but I knew of the error, prior to my ticket being issued to me and even tried to reason out to the clerk that I am going to Kuwait just as it is written on my orders but she told me I have to get to Qatar first and have to catch the next flight to Kuwait, which is crazy because the flight I was booked is going to Kuwait and she insisted to keep my ticket to  Qatar.  I gave up with arguing with her and just go on the flight.  So I was told of the mistake and what I have to do when I get to Al Udeid, I just shrugged my shoulder and said, “Oh well”.  At Norfolk the wait began, scheduled to leave at 1530, we did not leave until 1630. From then on I knew the military travel of “ Hurry, Hurry and Wait” has begun. 

   After we had left Virginia, we were on our way to Germany (Ramstein AB), a seven a half hour flight.  During this flight, I was already sleeping even before the plane took off and slept almost the entire flight.  I woke up for dinner and went back to sleep, then woke up the hour before landing.  I was situated close to the window and decided to look out the window. An amazing view I saw that day, the cloud was so fluffy and because the sun was trying to peek out the clouds it gave a rainbow effect.  I left home with out a camera and shame on me. Luckily, I had my Iphone, so I took picture of the sky.  The challenge now is transferring the picture on my blog, because I could not find the chord to connect the phone to my computer, I will have to upload the pictures from my phone straight to Facebook. This first part of the trip went well but then layover in Germany is another thing to endure.

     We stayed one hour and half on the ground of Germany and of course, we could not leave the terminal.  The next part of the trip is to Al Udeid.  We had picked up military personnel and a person sat next to me.  I almost thought I had the seat all to myself, to good to be true.  The worst part the person snored while he was sleeping and he had bad breath, a horrible five a half hour trip.  I am glad I still have luck by my side, the person stop is Qatar.  From there I got off the plane too, and I had to locate my bag to put it back on the plane.  It was like looking for a needle in a hay stack, my bags look just like everyone else. Fortunately, I had located my bags and weapon.  Then boarded on the plane again and this time on our way to Kuwait.  The last hour and half of the trip that is what I thought.  When we arrived Kuwait 2020 (820 PM) but had to wait on the bus, for host nation police to escort us to the base. The escort did not arrive until 1100 pm. Then an hour ride to the base and then the in-processing briefing.  After enduring a long trip to no where, I cannot wait until I have a good story to tell during my stay here in Kuwait.

Packed for Kuwait?

    Off I go again. My last trip was Afghanistan, this time is Kuwait.  This is not my first time to Kuwait. The las time time I was in Kuwait was in 1999.  I can remember Kuwait, associating it with bagging sand bags and living in tents. The base was still considered as a "Bare" base then.  The last time I deployed, we had a layover in kuwait and I have seen big changes. The dinning facility is huge, an upgrade to its max capacity. Now with a fully equipped salad bar and I cannot wait to eat healthy again and of course to share my experiences in Kuwait.
    First, I have to make it to Kuwait and stuck in Virginia with nothing to do is what I am currently doing.  Yes nothing to do in Virginia, in which it is entirely my fault, I choose to linger in my room at the Norfolk Gateway Inn lodging rather than exploring Virginia beach.  My motivation to explore seemed diminished.  Am normally not like this, ask my sisters, I am the type of person who enjoys getting lost but not today.  However, I did ventured out to locate water, cereal and milk. Then on lunch time, I went to the NEX(Navy Exchange) the version of AAFES for the Air Force and Army terminology, all it is a store/mall.  I needed food and ate a steak omelet from IHOP.  Yes, NEX has an IHOP, and I thought the Air Force was spoiled.  Navy gets Mc Donalds and an IHOP in their facility. So jealous.
    After eating a good lunch, I went shopping and with this buying spree, I realized no matter how many days you spent packing your bags, you always manage to forget something you need.  Sometimes I just give up with my checklists and checking it twice.  The word flexibility is key to packing, if you did not bring it, just hope the facility at your deployed location has it, if not "Bahala na" a word that means "oh well" and life does go on.  Just learn to live without it.  Maybe one day I can publish a book or some sort of manuscript catered to packing for "Deployment" but I bet it has been done.  You think with all the travels I have done in my career, I will have a list suited for every deployment.  Again, no matter which branch of service you are, packing always has its challenges.

Another realization is the "Hurry, Hurry and Wait" concept.  I have difficulty adjusting to this concept. I left two am in the morning to wait here in Virginia for two nights, really frustrating! But what can you do.  So no worries, just enjoy every bit of waiting around.  If only I could convince myself. Until my next story and hope you enjoyed.
 

Afghanistan Food

My tour in Afghanistan is not complete without having to write about food. The name "Cesa" is a synonym for food. Anyone who have ever asked for my name always asked what my name stands for. Finally I came up with a definition, the word "Cesa" means food expert. Of course, I may not know all about food but I can tell you that the bond between "Cesa" and food is so tightly sealed that my name will not exist without food. Luckily am in a profession that will not allow me to be obese, if not in this present job, I would probably be about 300 pound by now. And if I would have to commit one of the deadliest sins I would pick gluttony. With all that said, I wanted to write about Afghanistan food.

I am not as fortunate to really indulge myself with Afghanistan food because I am limited to where I can go. I am not allowed off the camp unless if we are going to a mission or advising at the the Afghan National Army (ANA) base. Detours are limited to the Airport or smaller friendly forces camps. The only food I can really experience is what is brought to me by the Afghan army counterparts whom I work with or the food at the dinning facility at the ANA compound. Nevertheless, I consider it as an Afghanistan food experience. There are three favorite food in Afghanistan I really like, the well known "Beef Kebab", a dish called "Mantu" and the best ever crepe looking food called "Balani".

I am very happy to say that have pictures of both the "Mantu" and "Balani" in which I can post and share. However, I do not have a picture of the "Beef Kebab" but kebabs all look alike in my opinion. Kebab is a dish where a piece of bamboo skewers or some sort of stick is inserted with different type of proteins, i.e. chicken, beef, pork and even vegetables. The different technique of applying flavor to the kebab is what makes it unique to a particular place. I love the flavor of the "Beef kebab" in Afghanistan and sometimes I wish someone would show me what spices are used to flavor the meat. My team jokingly says, "The meat used for the kebab are the Trash Goats" remember my story about "Trash" goats on the road, and I do not agree. I have to justify that the meat used is beef by pointing out to the cows as we passed them during our convoy back to the camp. Besides, I would know what goat taste like I had goat meat before but with the different spices used on the kebab maybe it is difficult for me to detect the difference between goat or beef. Moving on to my next favorite food called the "Mantu".

The closest description of a "Mantu" is a dumpling or the famous chinese dish called "shomay", basically it is a form of thin wrapping or very thin like dough that is stuffed with meat and herbs. This particular dish have chick peas and yogurt. And it sure yummy in my tummy. The next dish I want to talk about is the "Balani".

Balani is a thin looking pancake or better known as crepes. This particular dish is embedded with either green onions or potatoes. The sauce is either soy sauce with spices and onions, or a sauce made with crushed up chillies (Red Pepper). My team sure enjoy this dish and we always look forward to someone's going away party because this dish sure is always present. Lastly, I wanted to talk about the food at the Afghan dinning facility.

My Colonel at the division would invite the advisors for lunch at the mess hall and only those brave ones will go because some of my team members have stomach problems when they eat at this facility. The food is so good it always made me think of "Oxtail Soup". The menu is always a beef stew type of dish, then rice, bread and vegetables---whatever is available that day. I really like the eggplant cooked in tomato sauce which I may have to recreate when I have my kitchen--"So missing my kitchen." Eight months of not cooking is depressing and so bad for my health. Anyways, bottom line, food is not just food is another way of communicating to others. Even if one cannot speak the language or the dialect, it easier to have a great time when there is good food, the end results "Camaraderie" is formed. Anyone for seconds:)

Operation Food Drop

This week felt like Christmas, "Yankie" team agreed on a plan to give food to the beggars in the street, a small gesture of kindness. Everyday, as we head back to the FOB, we pass several women and their young children in the middle of the street, and I often thought of helping and because we are not allowed to stop or dismount from the vehicle, it was just a thought. This week is different, the thought of helping became a reality. Whoever came up with the idea, of bringing food in the humvee and throwing it outside, is a person with a big heart and full of courage. An act of kindness makes a difference in this world. If you have seen these children, your heart will be filled with pity and sadness which I always felt when we pass the women beggars in the streets, mostly I felt bad for the children. I think the idea came from either the team leader or our new Captain, who just recently joined our team. I realized both have a good heart and making this arrangement made me think highly of them. Yes, a risky decision because there are people out there who would like to hurt Americans and will do all means necessary, even portraying like women or beggars. A risk that was taken but I am glad we were able to help in our own little way. The food drop was only for a week but the memories of helping those less fortunate will stay with me for a lifetime. I was fortunate to get a video clip of the operation food drop and I wanted to share it on my blog, but I cannot post it, for it is very challenging to upload data through the wireless connection. Helping others always reminds me of Christmas, a time of giving and sharing, why can it always be that way?

Everyone should make an effort to help others, no matter how small, so as long it comes from the heart. This remind me of another kind person. One other day, my team decided to stop by the airport to grab some food before we went back to the FOB. The team were divided because some wanted to eat at the dinning facility and five wanted to go eat pizza. And of course, am one of those who loves to eat and eating at the dinning facility I have done for almost forever and the last thing I want to do is go to the airport and eat the DFAC, especially when there are plenty of eatery place at the airport. I want good food even if its only once a month. Me and four other team member went to a pizzeria. As we walked to the front counter, a civilian woman was deciding on what pizza she wanted. As we stood patiently for our turn, she faced us and said she wanted to buy us pizza. All of us looked at each other and then looked at her. She insisted and said, "It is small gesture in thanking you all for what you do for our country." and she bought each one of us a whole pizza. We invited her to sit with us, and she asked about our job in Afghanistan. We exchange conversations and enjoyed her stories. She too was prior military and I will never forget her name, "Hunter Logan". One of our team member's last name is Hunter, and she made a joke, if she was married to him, her name would have been Hunter Hunter. I am very grateful to people like her, who never forget their roots, and continue to spread a little joy to other people lives. Maybe others will say it is just pizza but for me it was more than a pizza, a "Thank you" from a total stranger for what I do, make me feel like that I have chosen a rewarding profession and my efforts will never be forgotten. So when you have an opportunity to spread joy to others, do it! It is is spiritually rewarding. And those peoples' lives you have touched, will never forget you. I know I will always remember her act of kindness.

Smoky Trail

The week (Aug 14-19) started off really slow. The convoy trip was quite and as a right rear in the MTV, with a very small window to look out, the task of staying vigilant is the only difficult part as a passenger. This week I had difficulty sleeping, and would stay up until two in the morning. Normally I wake up around five in the morning which gives me time to run/exercise then shower and eat chow, but not this week, not once this week did I step foot at the dinning facility to eat breakfast. I woke up 30 minutes prior to show time, so I had to rush getting ready for work. I am always the first one to the vehicle and get the PMCS completed (get the vehicles ready) but not this week, I was the last one. By the time I arrived, everything that needs to be accomplished on the vehicle was done which I kinda enjoyed, a break from my everyday routine.

Another change in my routine, instead of running at the track, this week I walked around the FOB, along the perimeter of the wall. At each stretch of the wall is a lookout post. I have met an Army personnel, who was sweet enough to give us a tour of each lookout post. Each post was manned by one Army private and with a big gun, I rather not say what type of weapon for security reasons. But one thing for sure, I am glad they are armed and ready. I did not realize that our FOB is next to several villages. I always thought the FOB was secluded from communities. As I climbed up the stairs of the look out post, Afghan children will flock near the wall to say hello. I would speak to them in Dari and they insist they can speak English. Matter of fact, they spoke good English, better than my English. While I communicated back in Dari or "Pashtu", to practice my new learned language, I had a blast just talking to the Afghan children. How I wish I brought my camera or at least brought some candies to give to the children. I think I had climbed about a dozen of these lookout post and saw every angle of the FOB. It was a fun day.

This week (Aug 19-26) I decided to record a clip of the "Smokey Trail", as I call it, which is one of the routes to work. One must have a light breakfast when traveling this road, because by the end of the trip, you will for use feel sick to your stomach. I only took a 25 seconds video clip but this road goes on forever. Okay, am exaggerating maybe less than 20 minutes.

One thing for sure I will never forget this road.

Traffic in Afghanistan

This week is a short but very interesting week. The first day of "Ramazan" which fell on a Wednesday, we stayed back at the Camp for a total of three days to include the Friday that we are normally off, and Saturday is when we had to convoy out again and mentor at the ANA compound. This week am assigned as the driver for one of the vehicles, and when I am driver, it never fails that we are confronted with scary situation. My team have only two main routes that we travel to and from work and one of this route is through Kabul International Airport, which we use often to eliminate the hassle in driving through traffic and bumpy roads. As we were going home, convoy commander decided not to take the airport way, found our convoy stuck in traffic for two hour.

A scary situation I may add, traffic is no fun in Afghanistan too many unknown situation that can arise. I really dislike not being able to maneuver the vehicle, especially if there is an emergency. It was horrible! We could not turnaround to take the alternate route. The situation got worst when a truck hit a car and the owner got out of the car and started yelling at the truck driver, then the ANP (Afghan National Police) was trying to break the fight and end up pushing the car owner back to his car and the fight escalated. As I watch through the window of the humvee and trying to make sure no other threat were outside, I was praying that we would find a way to get out of this mess and hoping no one has to dismount from the humvee or MATVs. Luckily the policeman was able to control the scene and a small gap or space opened and we were able to make a u-turn and back tracked to the airport. I was impress in my driving skill that day, even with the limited space, I was able to turn the humvee around without hitting a car. I was most impressed how my team, who were driving the MATV, steered those vehicles during this situation. Imagine if I was driving the MATV, there is no way I could have turn the MATV around.

We finally arrived safe and sound at the Camp. Shudder of the thought of a possible attack during the traffic scenario and not having a way out of that sticky situation, all I could do is put on a "tough face" and consider that day as part of our daily routine but deep inside I was really scared. The following day, I was in a bad mood and was not speaking to anyone which led to being called "Ms. Grumpy" that day, and so the following day I was left behind at the Camp, to enjoy a day off. The next day, another scary day, as we were driving home, the first vehicle stopped and reported an explosion. I have no clue why the first vehicle stopped, and all I could think of is that the vehicle was disabled, and my heart started to pound so hard. As the third vehicle driver, I looked ahead and I saw no smoke or anyone dismounting, and a sigh of relief as I heard the convoy commander explaining that a big jingle truck's tire exploded and there were no damage to our vehicles, and so we continued back to the Camp.

Not a fun week, but am just glad nothing horrible happened. This week was short but memorable because our team was confronted with scenarios that was scary. I do not know why I am paranoid with these minor situations, maybe because it is Ramadan or maybe because am in Afghanistan, whatever the reason may be, I just hope the next time I drive we do not have to experience potential hazards. The last time I drove, I had to tow the first vehicle because it will not start when we stopped at the Airport. Towing a vehicle all the way back to the Camp, that is not even 15 minute away, seemed like a lifetime of driving. If I documented all the times that I have driven a humvee and got into this type of scenarios, anyone would understand why I should be band from driving a humvee. No more driving for me, please?