Getting closer

Finally got choppered to Camp Taji. The Blackhawk ride was really interesting... we got a real nice view of Baghdad from the air. For the most part, Baghdad is really worn down, roads are not that great, trash everywhere, palm trees everywhere... but it seemed like everyone was going about their business as if it were any other city. The largest and nicest things to look at from the air were the Mosques. The ride didn’t take too long, and we actually stopped at another small base on our way to Taji.

Taji itself is huge, used by Saddam’s henchmen back in the day. There is a lot of mud everywhere, not too much sand. Not going to be here for too long though, finally should meet up with my unit, for real this time.

So far, my contact with Iraqi's has been positive. They work on base, handling some of the day to day duties (food service, sanitation, etc). Like most Arabs, they are a very relaxed, care free type people, "Inshallah!" They are friendly, respectful, and I would not suspect them of trying to blow me up. But what I have realized is, it is the few bad apples (in this phase of the war) that are still ruining the peace, many of them not even Iraqis. With that said, I will still keep on my toes, but for the most part, I think I may enjoy being around them.

Yup