Ptolmea has touched down in the desert

[wraith87]

Wow... I must say I am moved from the support for my "send off". Thank each and every one of you. It meant alot. You can only imagine how much


Finally I Ptolmea made it to what I like to call "the greatest beach on earth"... IE Balad AB/ Anaconda, Iraq. Where its a balmy... 115 degrees Farenheit in the shade. Dusty, sandy, hot... absolutely beautiful... But let me not get ahead of myself here... where to start, what to share.. Ahh.. I know I'll give you lot a tidbit of my travels to this "Mortaritaville" as the locals like to call it.

Ehh, started out from my main base around midnight eight days ago, saying my goodbyes, smooching it up. Laughing and joking. Its humbling for the most part.

Me and my better half:
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o252 ... CI0052.jpg

Myself and a friend of mine going on the same trip:
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o252 ... CI0054.jpg

After all was said and done, I boarded my bus to the airport. A grueling 8 hour ride on a cramped school bus.. interesting ride, bumpy but the people I was with made the best of it. Spent most of the time trading stories and talking a bunch of ****. Then I made it to my Airport. Where I sat in the terminal for 12 hours awaiting my flight.

Friends and I goofing and waiting on the plane to fuel up. It was a long wait..
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o252 ... CI0078.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o252 ... CI0061.jpg

The plane FINALLY arrived after a series of delays, then we loaded up on that badboy.... and commercial badboy at that. Mmm inflight movies and food.. Oooh flight attendents! Not too bad, but sitting on a plane for over 6 hours, without having slept since the day before takes it toll. And when I touched down in Ireland (transfer point) was I tired.

But alas, the plane had engine troubles in ireland... SOOO... I GOT TO STAY IN IRELAND! Hells was I happy, first thing I did was... take in the scenary as I made my way to the hotel I'd be staying at for the duration.

I'm not used to soo much greenery. It was awe inspiring.. or perhaps I was tired and easily impressed.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o252 ... CI0063.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o252 ... CI0078.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o252 ... CI0081.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o252 ... CI0091.jpg

The hotel itself was nice, had a bar, plenty to do. But instead I just slept... and slept and slept. No I lie, I wandered around outside a bit.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o252 ... CI0071.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o252 ... CI0083.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o252 ... CI0089.jpg

But my stay was short, I did enjoy some fine irish cuisine and drink though. So no complaints here . Off I go back to the terminal, me and hordes of other military, packed like sardines and waiting around on a plane.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o252 ... CI0093.jpg

Off we go... roughly 2 hours upon returning to the airport. After a tightly packed... 7 hour flight, I made it to the Middle east, and my new home for the duration.
How do I feel you wonder? Excited.
How will I feel in the future? Proud if not a bit tired
How will I feel going back home? Not looking that far ahead! Only makes you stress.

And here are some photos of little ole me in my new home, a fresh Arrival to Iraq.


http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o252 ... CI0100.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o252 ... CI0104.jpg

Again, thank all of you for your support, and I will use this thread for further updates. I look foward to any comments you Atysians make for ole Pirate Ptol!

GASP I AM A PIRATE IN REAL LIFE!!

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o252 ... e003-1.jpg

[dakhound]

I hear desert sucks for grinding ranged

[acridiel]

Damn, yes Eire is lovely in Summer
Its not called the emerald isle for naught

Glad you made it and stay save man!!
Sometimes its a really explosive party down there!

Good Luck!

Acridiel

[xzizoux]

Greetings to Aen oh well bring back some Amber and Seed for me ,when ur in the Desert ,loool

Take Care and come fast back as one piece pls

[fiach]

Damn, yes Eire is lovely in Summer
Its not called the emerald isle for naught



Acridiel

Acrid, the reason its so green, is because its covered in moss from the rain, we dont measure land by the hectare, its measure by the litre

[whiterider]

Good to hear from you... been missing you in gc.
And I can't think of anywhere better to contrast the middle east than sunny *cough* Ireland. Should'a smuggled in some irish air so you can breathe something that's not toasted.
*leaves before she starts on the Dylan Moran Ireland jokes, too tired to know when to stop...

Take care of yourself Ptol!

[vrixy]

Ptol good to hear you made it in one piece , now come back to collect your pants BTW love your better halfs Dr Seuss shirt *hugs* be safe my friend

[d29565]

OMG! You make me want to go to Ireland now (As if i didn't to begin with). So pretty, and green.

Not so much wanting to go to the middle east though, it's hot enough here in South Carolina.

Try to enjoy yourself, as much as humanly possible *Sigh*

Look forward to more updates!

[dlirious]

Watch your back ptol! I expect to see your pale matis butt back on Atys, terrorizing and stealing the innocence of many unaware homins.

Don't knock the desert...it happens to be my home....

[martl]

Ptol, stay safe

hope to see you back on atys soon!

Glo