Giving Iraq the Finger.
"The Finger." The phrase still makes me crack up like a fourth grader - I mean, who decided that holding one's middle digit up is to be considered offensive? Granted, I know what it represents, but I still think it's hilarious.
Anyway, I flew out of Iraq for good last night. I looked around, kissed the air goodbye, and instantly decided that I wouldn't miss the place too much. As we speak, I am sitting in Kuwait at the Ali Al Salem Air Base, waiting for my visa and passport to come back for entrance into Kuwait (well, ability to go off base).There's something you should know about Ali Al Salem - the place is an absolute shithole. The tents we sleep in here hold approximately 20 guys, are usually packed to the gills (in this case, I'm man no. 19), and are the dirtiest, most vile things you've ever set foot in - and 18 overweight, overpaid contractors all snoring in unison certainly doesn't help the matter. To make matters worse, of course, there's absolutely nothing to do. No work to be done. It is, by definition, a transient camp, so everyone naturally is waiting to move on to better things - whether that be Iraq, or the States (or other country of origin). So people are anxious. And irritable. And they're just as frustrated with me as I am with them, as we fumble around all hours of the night unpacking and repacking our bags.As you may have deduced, I'm not staying any longer than I absolutely have to. But I can't go back to the states until March 1st, for many reasons. So what is the alternative?I most likely won't be coming back to this immediate vicinity for quite some time, so I've decided I want to see Kuwait City. I'll have three days to poke around the city, and it comes at a great time. Their liberation/independence days are afoot, and there will no doubt be things to see/people to meet. I'm excited for the souks (open-air markets), high-end super luxe malls, architecture, and the food. The food is supposed to be phenomenal - and it better be, as Kuwait is a totally dry country.Apparently there is quite an underground scene, but I don't feel like going to jail (a middle-eastern one, at that!) right before I go home, as neat of a story as it would make. I think I can refrain for another few days.By the way, the picture is of the Kuwait Towers - one is a water tower, the second is an observation deck/restaurant/museum, and the third is simply there to look good. They're supposedly pretty neat up close.I'll have pictures up when I can. Anxious to reconnect with everyone when I come home!Much Love,Jameson
