Exciting Adventures in Dubai

Dear All,
We didn't get out of Balad until Thursday. Our manifest time was 12:30 pm which didn't finish up until 2. Angela's husband was with her so right after manifest she took off to take him back to his side of base. She had no longer left and they called for us to take our luggage out to the pallets. I got both of our suitcases there and went in to the computer room there to sent and email. When I came back 15 minutes later all the people from our flight were gone. I asked and they said they had boarded the plane. They couldn't run me out to the plane because my flack jacket and helmet were in the car. I paced outside and Angela got there around 3:15. We ran in and they ran us out to the plane that was waiting for us. They took Angela up to sit with the pilots and I was put on the back of the plane with the luggage pallet up against my shoulder. Oh to be young and cute ..... and get to sit with the pilots.

There were some Iraqi workers on the flight and one got sick...that was a long hour and a half flight. Once in Kuwait we missed the bus to the airport by about 10 minutes so we had to wait a couple hours for the next one. That turned out to be fun for me. One I got to call Johnny (my cell phone works there) and John Micah and that was fun. But what where we waited was where the R&R troops are briefed, pick up there SATO itineraries and wait to board there plane. I wanted so bad to take the mic from the Sgt that was briefing them and tell that you all would be waiting for them to greet them in Dallas. I visited with one who was headed home for the birth of his fourth child. A little girl who has three older brothers. I loved seeing that whole process. It is unbelieveable what all the troops go through to get home. It is no easy task. I did go talk to the Commander of the unit who remembered me from Dallas. Great news....when i do take R&R I will be able to come on the R&R flight. That tickled me to pieces.

Our bus ride into Dubai was unreal WHEW!!!!! We had an escort car and I couldn't figure out why so once we arrived at the airport I asked the Sgt that brought us there. The escort car was our protection. In case of hijacking or anything they are armed. Well no one told me I needed to worry about that! All was good and I had a great visit with a Delta Force soldier on the way in. Fascinating!
We stayed in a hotel and left out with ten other USO staff people from the Kuwait USO early the next morning. That was a commeriacl flight and very nice at that. It is about and hour and a half flight from Kuwait to Dubai.

We checked in our hotel and I called Maureen's friend Melanie. Well I tried to call but coldn't figure out how to dial the number. Finally we met up and she took me all over Dubai sightseeing and shopping. She was absolutely wonderful. While I was with her Maureen called and the tears just started to flow. A voice from home. It was a great day and a touch of home being with someone who know Maureen. I just picked up food and ate in my room. I was tired.

Saturday we all met, probably about 30 USO staff people from all the Southwest Asia USO's and were in training all day. At four they took us out on a Sand Safari. What fun was that!!! Oh my goodness! There are six to a car and we went up and down the sand dunes. The car is sliding everywhere and spraying sand up like it were water. Fun, fun, fun! We stopped several times to take pictures! We did that for about 45 minutes then they took us to this secluded area for dinner. It was like a little vilage. I rode a camel! I am surprised you couldn't hear me squealing there! They also had sandboarding down the cliffs and four wheeling. Most of us got Henna tatoos! (Don't worry mom it wears off in about 10 days) There was a man there making these sand art in bottles. Incredible to watch. He did one for me with a camel and my name in it. The music was cranked up and they cooked our dinner out there. Because of Ramadon(and i am sure I spelled that wrong) we could not have live misic or belly dancers so I will have to come back to see that. All and all it was such a fun evening. I laughed and did and saw things I never dreamed in my life I would see. If was fun to just enjoy the USO staff and get to know them a little better.
I hope a have a minute before I leave here to download pictures and try to figure out how to put them on here.

I am excited about tomorrow. We are going early in the morning to the USO Dubai which is out on the wharf (I understand) to work. There are three ships coming in with close to 5,000 Marines. Now that excites me! They say we won't get back till very late so it may be Monday before I can write you about it. It should be so fun!
I have got to get to bed. I am exhausted. I love you all dearly and wish so much you could be here experiencing this with me!

In His Mighty Grip,
Linda