Your World As I See It

Well, one of the units here on Ramadi has finally finished leaving. Usually I'm not too concerned about such happenings, but it just so happens that this unit contained both my friends at the post office and Michael's aunt Dori. So now I have to get used to dealing with a new group in terms of mail, and Michael is now once again thousands of miles away from his nearest relative. And, perhaps most disconcerting, we now don't get to have any sushi parties or BBQ's over at the medical center. We'll really miss everyone, and, of course, look forward to joining them in returning home. Here are some goodbye pictures: At the Post Office... Picture time? Well, Staff Sergeant Dobison has to look good, so, naturally, a few quick push-ups! "We're all professionals here!" At the farewell BBQ A rather strange, but tasty non-alcoholic malt beverage "barbican" cider.

The sand (and, apparently, thunder) storm season is upon us here in Ramadi. The dense clouds of dust kicked up by the winds around here create a very other-worldly atmosphere. During the day, everything is a sombre orange hue. It certainly doesn't feel like I'm "in Kansas anymore," so to speak. The scene is downright eerie, and definitely makes for an interesting break in the boredom that is life in this camp. The limited visibility affects travel, as one might imagine. Even walking around can be quite the chore-you get the unpleasantness of gritty sand in your mouth, sand scratching your eyes, and the sense that taking a breath would be worse than smoking a pack of unfiltered cigarettes. Thankfully, the dust storm was followed by the thunderstorm, knocking all the annoying particles to the ground. Unfortunately, every time it rains in Ramadi, the place turns into mud city. It's like that old commercial, the one where that English gentleman at the teapart...