We finally arrived at 3:15 and went in to the check in area. This Chinook ride was an endurance exercise in itself. We had to hand carry our luggage on, give it to the soldier on board, then get off and wait behind the Chinook while he loaded them up and strapped them into the area in the middle of the helo. Then we loaded up and squished in. Ben even had to sit in the front between the pilots. We were sharing with some other soldiers and contractors. Once we loaded up, it took forever to load up the band equipment. We couldn’t even bring the t-shirts, medals and other race equipment. The MWR folks were going to find another way for them to get to our next base. This was kind of a good sign that we weren’t going to end up with another early morning race, which was a relief. I would have happily been there, chipper and smiling and glad we were doing it because it is so important, but being allowed to get more than 4 hours sleep was going to pay off in spades in a few days! So once they loaded up the band’s stuff, we sat on the runway for a while (this has become a regular thing with the Chinook rides) then we took off. We were squished in, and I had luggage at my feet and my butt half off the canvas sling seat, so my cheeks were falling asleep and I was in pain and fidgety the whole ride. I think it was only about 45 minute flight before we stopped at Baghdad International Airport and dropped off some soldiers for camp Victory, but it felt like forever, and I had to apologize to Bart for being a ants in the pants mess the whole flight. So once the other soldiers got off, we spread out a little and took off again, for a quick flight to another location at that base. We always fly in pairs, so this was likely for someone with the other Chinook. Then we took off again, flew for a little while, then landed at a FARP to refuel. We had to get out and go stand behind a concrete t-wall, I assume in case something happened with the fuel and an explosion happened. The pilots and flight crew were still on board, as was Ben in the jump seat, so I guess it wasn’t that much of a concern! Ha ha. Anyway, this afforded us a much needed opportunity to jump in the porto-potty. You drink SO MUCH water around here to stay hydrated, which of course comes with the need to pee frequently so when you’re traveling, and you don’t know how long you’ll be sitting on the tarmac, or how long the flights will be, you take every single possible opportunity at a bathroom, even when it’s dark and hot and stinky and there might be a camel spider lurking in there! (the camel spider has become a very frequent source of hilarity for us! Google it. Seriously!)
We loaded back up, and took off again and finally landed at our final destination. We went into the check in area and sat down with a bunch of other people who looked like they had resigned and settled in until they were called and allowed to leave the area. Some people grabbed waters and snacks. It was about 3:30 and I was pretty sure we’d be there for a while. Then, suddenly, it was time to go! You really can’t predict anything around here. It’s been a constant exercise in flexibility and go-with-the-flow. Our ride had arrived, we loaded up the bus and were off. Zach and Christian and a few other guys stayed back to get our luggage and sort the band gear, and we went to check in to our rooms. I was lucky to get my own room. (The benefit of being the odd lone female where the other 2 females are already associated.) The guys had a huge bay of bunk beds, but at that point we were all so tired it didn’t really matter. We got to the house, and it’s an adorable little villa with 4 rooms. 3 with 2 beds and a table in them, and 1 with all the bunks. It has a yard, and a bathroom and you can go on the roof. Oh, and the everpresent fridge stocked to the gills with water and Gatorade. I have to say, there is water available EVERYWHERE! You seriously can’t drink enough, and we all constantly have water in our hands. It’s really impressive how they’ve made sure that there is fresh water available everywhere you go, and how much of an emphasis EVERYONE puts on checking up with everyone in a group to be sure they’re drinking. We’re in the SpaWar computer lab right now at the MWR (Morale and entertainment place….I don’t know what the W or the R stands for, but it’s the recreation and morale group area) and this is the first place where you’re not allowed to have water. (Electronic equipment….makes sense.)
We got to the house and I was ready to lay down and sleep in my clothes and shoes and no shower, but Zach and Chris and the guys were still inbound with the luggage, and I didn’t want them to get stuck unloading the truck by themselves, so we all congregated in the front lawn and laughed and joked as the sun came up. It was actually a really great time. Finally the guys arrived and we unloaded the truck, agreed on a 1pm bus to lunch and the house was then silent. I didn’t think I’d have any trouble sleeping, but didn’t want to chance it, so I downed a half an Ambian and it worked like a charm. I don’t even remember my head hitting the pillow.
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