Greetings from Islam!

I'm at Camp Doha, Kuwait and what a whirlwind it's been the past 72 hours. The flight over was brutal…22 hours! It was pouring rain in Georgia when we left so we had to fly soaking wet. They packed us in like sardines, with our weapons at our feet so there was no room to move or stretch out and therefore there was no way to fall asleep. Of course our flight didn't leave until 1600 so we wasted most of the day getting ready. Our flight brought us up the East Coast to New York City, then across the Atlantic. We had two stops, first in Shannon, Ireland and then in Cairo, Egypt. They overloaded our flight so much that the plane couldn't handle the weight of both the troops and our gear/luggage. They told us, in typical Army fashion, to go ahead and they would fly it on a special flight that didn't have to stop and promised it would get here before we did. Of course that statement was long on promise and short on luggage/gear and it's still not here. Because of that, I haven't brushed my teeth, showered or changed clothes in over three days. I don't think I've been this nasty since Boot Camp.

As my ears popping told me we were starting to descend, I looked out the window and we were over the Persian Gulf. Before long, I spotted land but it was difficult to distinguish the line of where the ocean ceased and the sand started.

Before long we landed at Kuwait International Airport in Kuwait City. Then we had to wait on the plane as this is not a secure area. When our busses arrived, they pulled them on the tarmac right up to the plane. They issued us ammunition and ordered us to lock & load. They then rushed us off the plane and onto the busses, which had curtains to protect us from sniper fire.

After about a 45 minute drive in pitch dark, we arrived here at Camp Doha and they immediately began our in-processing. This really pissed me off because there was no reason that couldn't have waited until today, we were exhausted. After the in processing brief done by the General, (via video) we went through another equipment issue and received yet another bag of gear. I told the Major in front of me that as much equipment as they gave us they are surely planning the invasion of Iran. As much as I bitched that it could have waited until today, they did give us some great stuff for the desert. By the time they finally got us to bed, we'd been up almost 48 hours. Then, they put us in a huge open building on disgusting cots that haven't been cleaned since the first Gulf War and left the lights on because troops were coming in all night long banging their lockers as they put away their gear. They didn't give us any blankets, sheets, or pillows…we were expected to use our sleeping bags they issued us back at Banning…which of course are still in flight so therefore we had to sleep in our clothes.

They don't have latrines in the buildings; we have to go to disgusting port-a-potties which are about 100 meters from the building. That sure sucks when you have to get up in the night. You have to put on your uniform, (that you were using for a blanket) get the boots on, get your weapon, and then go deal with the gross crapper in pitch dark. For each building they have two trailers out front with toilets and showers, one for each gender. They are absolutely appalling. They smell so bad you can hardly breathe and there is piss and water all over the floors. No soap to wash with, no toilet paper, (most Arabs use their left hand…that's why they taught us never to touch or eat with our left hand). I haven't showered yet and as much as I need one, I'm sure dreading it. These things are vile.

This place is an absolute shithole, it's filthy. It very much has a county fair or carnival atmosphere here from the dirt and dust, to the trash blowing everywhere, to the loud generators running everything, and the carnie-like Kuwaitis set up in shops selling everything from Persian rugs to swords to jewelry.

However, as bad as I may be articulating this endeavor thus far, my attitude is still very good and I'm glad to be here. Being the xenophile I am, I am very much looking forward to experiencing this Muslim culture as well as observing first hand as we shove Democracy down their throats.

The one good thing about this place is the chow hall…its Halliburton run and like nothing I've ever experienced in the Army. It rivals our all you can eat buffets back home.

It's not too hot yet, I would guess in the 80s, but you can already feel that the sun is much hotter here than at home.

I went out this morning with the intention of taking some photos for you…but there's really not much to see. This place is in the middle of a flat desert and is completely military. The few photos of the camp I did take you can see here if you wish.

Thankfully, I won't have to be here much longer. I leave tomorrow for some other Camp in Kuwait for some more training. This is going to be specific to my job as a truck driver. I guess they have actual lanes set up that we drive through and live-fire at pop up targets and react to bombs and booby traps. It's pretty much a course designed to teach us how to fight from the truck. I have no idea where in Kuwait it is or how long I'll be there but I'll write again when I can.

Photos from Camp Doha, Kuwait

A patch of grass I found at Camp Doha, Kuwait..maybe there is hope for this place?

Map of Kuwait