Today is Sept 11th, a very somber day for most people in the US.  I am in Baghdad and have been for almost a week now.  I really couldn't understand how they showed Flight 93 as a demo movie at the PX here in the IZ.  It was quite disturbing reliving the whole thing.

 

So it has been a very eventfull weekend for me as I wait for my Chopper to return to my Iraqi base.  I was due to Leave on Saturday so everything was prepared to pull chalks on that day.  There is a Peruvian contingency of security personnel here at the Palace led by Victor, who has become a good friend, and we arranged for cash for the iraqi folks to pick up some fish and ceviche makings (Victor pleaded to them to make sure the fish did not have any C-4 in it!!!).  I knew fully well that I would not be around for Saturday's ceviche festivities, but I did not want to pass up the chance to treat the paisanitos to some cevichito, a plate that brings peruvians to tears when they are expatriated.  So I lied and told them I would be around so that the plan would be put in place.

 

I was taking care of some email over some fancy gourmet vanilla shake at the "Green Beans" internet cafe at Sadams former Palace that evening when someone announced that they would be filming a "shout out" from Baghdad for the Longhorn-Buckeye College ball game for Saturday (the Longeye game, as my mother said...).  So I went and participated in that, it would be aired nationally during the game and that is something I have really been excited to be able to do since I was a kid...to be the face of the troop stationed far away sending a shout out to the folks back home.  To know they would be cozy in their armchairs, enjoying the Americana lifestyle we have chosen to defend with our lives.  Finally, it was me on the other side of the TV!!

 

And so, Saturday came along, I was to pick up a million buckaroos and take back with me pay for some work that was done at the base.  The money lady was late, she was in a briefing that was everything but brief....so I was delayed and I started to worry I would not make my bird.  Once she showed up she delivered the goods.  I've never seen that amount of cash in my life and I was very surprised to see that it all fit neatly in a grocery bag size space.  It was very heavy though!!!  So, also for the first time for me, I was in possesion of a million bucks!!!!  I started out the door of her office to go to catch my bird back to the base when BOOOMMMMM!!!!

 

The building shook and we were in lock down.  We took on a VBIED or maybe a rocket attack in the street in front of us, so for the next two hours I would be held in the building until the clear signal was given.  Had I left on time it is very possible that I could have been in the area of the incident so I was glad to be in lock down!

 

It is very difficult to catch a bird to where I go, only a couple of flights every two or three weeks.  Luckily, the movement control guys fixed me up for another flight out. 

 

The first thing I thought was...Great!!! Now I get to partake of the ceviche!!!  So, no pun intended, I returned to the Palace, met up with Victor and enjoyed a Ceviche to Die for!!!