I'm home in the LBC and getting settled. That's probably it for my blog. Thank you to everyone for your loyalty, support, positive feedback, and laughs. Find me on Facebook or bonnie.bachenheimer@kyl.com.
xxxooo
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Stranded
My journey home from KAF to LBC involved a one-day stop in Kuwait. I e-mailed my friend and former boss Scott (Center Manager at Camp Virginia) and asked if he would pick me up at the airport. Here is the relevant part of my e-mail to Scott copied directly from my e-mail:
This is his reply, copied directly from his e-mail:
Anyone who has arrived at Kuwait International Airport (KWI) knows exactly what he's referring to.
My plane arrived 50 minutes early on 24 August and since it was daylight and it was Ramadan, the airport was virtually empty. I checked out the area in front of Starbucks/Cinnabon, didn't see Scott, so I sat down facing the airport entry in order to see him when he arrived. I waited 30 minutes until my scheduled arrival, walked around outside for awhile, then waited another 15 minutes, so as not to appear impatient. I did not have cell service since I'd left my Roshan SIM card back in Afghanistan, so I found a corner, rifled through my suitcase to find my Wataniya SIM card, bought 5KD worth of minutes ($20), turned on my phone and saw that Scott had just sent me a text.
"Are you here?" he wrote.
"Yes, over an hour" was my reply.
"Where are you?"
"Starbucks"
There was a short wait, then I received from him:
"Where is Starbucks?"
My phone rang.
Scott said, "I know where the Green Beans is, but where is Starbucks?"
I said, "Where are you?"
"LSA." [Life Support Area; the passenger terminal at Ali Al Salem Airbase.]
Scott, I'm at KWI, not the LSA PAX terminal!
&%$@ (>^%/ +=%$#!!
They dropped off Wendy back at Camp Virginia, then sludged through a bad accident and fuel spill at the traffic circle and fought the now massive Ramadan traffic at the airport, so by the time Scott arrived I had ended up waiting over three hours for my ride.
I figure Scott and I are about even, since he had to drive all the way back to KWI to bring me my CAC when I forgot it in the car before my trip to Germany. Luckily, I found the whole event more amusing than frustrating and Scott and I are still friends [but he's a dork].
I'm due in to KWI tomorrow on Gryphon Air, flight No. 6P-093, leaving Kandahar at 1530, and arriving KWI at 18:45 on 24 August 2010. I'm hoping you will pick me up at airport.
This is his reply, copied directly from his e-mail:
I / we will be by the Starbucks / Cinnabon side of the arrival hall as you exit the customs area ( left side ).
Anyone who has arrived at Kuwait International Airport (KWI) knows exactly what he's referring to.
My plane arrived 50 minutes early on 24 August and since it was daylight and it was Ramadan, the airport was virtually empty. I checked out the area in front of Starbucks/Cinnabon, didn't see Scott, so I sat down facing the airport entry in order to see him when he arrived. I waited 30 minutes until my scheduled arrival, walked around outside for awhile, then waited another 15 minutes, so as not to appear impatient. I did not have cell service since I'd left my Roshan SIM card back in Afghanistan, so I found a corner, rifled through my suitcase to find my Wataniya SIM card, bought 5KD worth of minutes ($20), turned on my phone and saw that Scott had just sent me a text.
"Are you here?" he wrote.
"Yes, over an hour" was my reply.
"Where are you?"
"Starbucks"
There was a short wait, then I received from him:
"Where is Starbucks?"
My phone rang.
Scott said, "I know where the Green Beans is, but where is Starbucks?"
I said, "Where are you?"
"LSA." [Life Support Area; the passenger terminal at Ali Al Salem Airbase.]
Scott, I'm at KWI, not the LSA PAX terminal!
&%$@ (>^%/ +=%$#!!
They dropped off Wendy back at Camp Virginia, then sludged through a bad accident and fuel spill at the traffic circle and fought the now massive Ramadan traffic at the airport, so by the time Scott arrived I had ended up waiting over three hours for my ride.
I figure Scott and I are about even, since he had to drive all the way back to KWI to bring me my CAC when I forgot it in the car before my trip to Germany. Luckily, I found the whole event more amusing than frustrating and Scott and I are still friends [but he's a dork].
Asian DFac
On a regular morning I get up at 0800 and head to the Asian DFac for breakfast. Recently I was sitting alone at a table for six, three empty chairs facing me and one on either side. The DFac was not at all crowded and there were many, many, many open seats, but this Romanian guy sits down in the chair facing me. WTF1??
A couple of days later I was sitting at one of the long tables, about two seats in from the end. Again, the DFac was not crowded and there were many, many, many open seats. I bow my head and close my eyes to say a prayer; when I open my eyes there were two Romanians sitting directly across from me. Did I mention that the DFac was not at all crowded and there were many, many, many open seats? WTF2??
[This all happened before we had the Unit Appreciation Event.]
The placemats in all of our DFacs have word and number games on them so there's something to do if I'm eating alone (and not entertaining Romanians). The Sudoku is really difficult, and despite the fact that I've been doing these puzzles regularly for almost 6 years, I was having trouble with anything three-star or above. Finally, after weeks and weeks, and thankfully before I left for home, I was able to complete the five-star Sudoku!
A couple of days later I was sitting at one of the long tables, about two seats in from the end. Again, the DFac was not crowded and there were many, many, many open seats. I bow my head and close my eyes to say a prayer; when I open my eyes there were two Romanians sitting directly across from me. Did I mention that the DFac was not at all crowded and there were many, many, many open seats? WTF2??
[This all happened before we had the Unit Appreciation Event.]
The placemats in all of our DFacs have word and number games on them so there's something to do if I'm eating alone (and not entertaining Romanians). The Sudoku is really difficult, and despite the fact that I've been doing these puzzles regularly for almost 6 years, I was having trouble with anything three-star or above. Finally, after weeks and weeks, and thankfully before I left for home, I was able to complete the five-star Sudoku!
High Flying, Adored
Pictures of my going away party and some favorite people, all of whom I will miss A LOT!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Incoming and On the Way Home
A friend of mine posted the following on Facebook. Although it may not be funny to you, it's freakin' hilarious to me and I am compelled to save it for posterity:
-o0o-
I would like a word with the buffoon who designed an airplane that sounds EXACTLY like incoming. Stupid Hornets.
-o0o-
Romanians and Bulgarians
On 21 August we took Tim Horton's coffee, doughnuts and muffins to the Romanian and Bulgarian compound. We had decided to do a Unit Appreciation Event for them when we found that the Romanian military was experiencing a 25% pay cut. Owen said the colonel had tears in his eyes when we explained our purpose.
Our hosts were somewhat guarded when we arrived, and it took them a little while to loosen up; but once they were more comfortable their warmth, humor and charm poured forth. It was one of the nicest and most rewarding events we've had. I love my job.
Our hosts were somewhat guarded when we arrived, and it took them a little while to loosen up; but once they were more comfortable their warmth, humor and charm poured forth. It was one of the nicest and most rewarding events we've had. I love my job.
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