Ptolmea has touched down in the desert

[azale]

Aww Ptol, you made me miss home! *cries* Éirinn go Brách!!!!

Be safe and much love.

[kalindra]

I couldn't help but relate some of those pictures to Atys...

Ireland feels like the jungle with all it's greenery (and humidity) while (sorry in advance for the naive sound of incoming joke) Irak reminds me of Dyron with people blowing themselves up and asking for a rez in region.

Watch out for angry Kamis, they have a vicious tendency of blasting homins who dig their home's soil too much.

[meryan]

Thanks for the awesome pictures Ptolmea, take care and stay safe... we will need more pics in the future.

[g00st]

well done in getting to ireland ptol, i take it back not all matiser are evil )

ps. up and right from ire is nice too

[petersk]

Good to hear from you Ptol. As many have said, I'll say it again, keep your head down, your wits about you and bring your ass back home safe!!

Best of luck soldier *salutes* though it may not be very P.C. these days to say, I'm proud of you and your fellow soldiers, you help make the world a better, safer place. My heartfelt thanks to you and all your brothers.

[alibasil]

Bring back some Koorin oil if you can please... if you cant get it the black stuff will do

[sidusar]

Oooh, a break in Ireland, what a pleasant surprise. Nice of them to let you enjoy the greenery for a bit before dropping you off in the desert.

I second Zyra! Best of luck keeping the place safe over there.

[wraith87]

Mmm, been roughly a week since I've landed down here.. Strange how quickly I get accustomed to new things, must be the inner bohemian.

Everything kinda moves in a haze out here. No real track of the days or time for that matter... work, eat, gym, **** and sleep. I suppose its better I don't know.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Toy Soldiers-
So they have me wandering around like a real life GI JOE , hehe, they should market me as a toy. Sure I'd be a great seller. Tickle me Elmo eat your heart out. Its Perma Tanned Ptolmea, now in a new 12 shades of tan. Comes with a M9 and a M16. Watch him flex for no reason! Huzzah.. Oooh is that body armor
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Life-
But on a serious note... I volunteered for medivac... you see the true horrors of battlefield there. The wounded. I cannot allow any pictures, nor can I go into too much detail about it all. But... it shines a whole new light on how you view life. Its fragile and you damn well better enjoy it before it ends. HAHA!

Ehh, there I go again wandering off topic. I was there watching a man with 2 fatal bullet wounds fade away to nothing, as 2 med folks desperatly attempted to maintain his life. Humbling... it truely is.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Earth Wind and Fire-
To preserve something or another, the base burns all trash... bodyparts, refuse, clothing, tires... you name it its getting lit on fire. ITs a way to preserve security. I'll go into that no more. But wow... its a potent smell.. I good gust of wind brings that where I am working and yeesh. No amount of cigs will get that smell away. Heat is usually 100+ farenheit, which leads to dust storms... something you don't want to be in, wear shades and wear a mask to keep the dust out of your face, its toxic, filled with bacteria, and coupled with the soot from the burn pits. Something that was lesson 1 for me haha...

Strangely enough I saw rain... that was... filthy actually, left stains on the glass of the vehicles I ride in. Again I blame the burn pit.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't Drink the Water-

As the title suggests, don't drink the damned water. Its nastyness. Much like drinking the water in mexico or south america, you will get sick and become intimate with the toilet. Why do I know this, I was saved from drinking the water by a fellow I live with yelling at me not to drink it. All drinking water is provided VIA water bottles. Mmm water... I can still shower in the stuff. just can't drink it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

This is my "Crib"-

Well my room is me and 5 other men, stinks of feet most of the time, everything gets dusty quickly, you get zero privacy and hurray public showers. Now I can wash myself with many others! Bonding moments, hey man can you wash my back. Overall everyont is pretty laid back and friendly. Hell you have to be, your stuck with them for the duration. Well to spruce up the place I put up blankets around my top bunk ot give it a "Loft" feel... yah I know what a loft is...SO!

I also put up the ever so useful car deoderizors, cherry scented. Now everything is a cherry tainted funk. Ahh home is where the heart is. Or at least my bed.. and I sure love that.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
In short, I've learned a lot, had quite a bit tossed onto my lap. Tackled it to teh best of my abilities. Expanded my views on life living and socialising. Overall, I am feeling great. I'll be sure to write again some more. and include some more photos. Later Atys.

[setstyle]

It's good to hear you've settled, as far as one can settle in such a place . I've heard first-hand accounts of those dust storms from family members... nasty stuff!