zinc poisoningYeHowHowHHoYesterday was quite an experience..... I experienced for the first time the local Bizarre on base.
I experienced the local Saturday Bizarre (on base) yesterday. Wow.....an experience it was. Since I'm not terribly interested in flea markets and bartering, the Bizarre was rather interesting. Add to my lack of interest in bartering the 105+ degree heat while in uniform and you get a bad combination. I don't know if I would have otherwise bought something at the Bizarre but I really did not want to be there after about 5 minutes.
As soon as you show your Identification to get in, there were little boys (did not see any women or little girls working in the "booths") pulling on your sleeve trying to tell you how great the bracelet they are selling would look on you. I was immediately reminded of my time in Tijuana, Mexico. It was nearly the same feeling. I was not in the market for a new scarf, a rug, a military trinket, a piece of lapis lazuli, cheap sunglasses or watches, knock off purses, or movies and music which are probably not legal, if they are what they say they are. I bought one thing: a shoulder holster for my weapon and my ammunition. I found it within two minutes paid the asking price (I had been told what to pay) and was done.
Transportation: Getting to the Bizarre only added to the experience. It's not very far from my office, but in this heat, you really can't walk too far without allowing the heat to get to you. You have to bring a water bottle everywhere you go and you must constantly drink water. The vehicles on base - there are a LOT of them - are either military convoy vehicles from various nations or they are foreign unrecognizable vehicles. Yes, there are a few Ford's here (I was happy to see my first Ranger here today---Ford Ranger, not Army Ranger, that would have completely changed the tone in this entire blog entry).....the only other Ford vehicles I've seen have been one F-150 with the most common Ford vehicle being the Everest, which is sold in Asia. Not many of the vehicles I've been in have air conditioning although when it's over 100 outside, the air conditioning even at 80 degrees feels cooler than outside. It's pretty miserable to say the least.
I was just asking a friend tonight if you ever get used to sweat dripping down your back for no reason and her response was enlightening, she said "You don't get used to it, you just accept it!" It is so true....even inside the Dining Facilities which are air conditioned, there are so many people that they are generally uncomfortable and you sweat just waiting in line for your meal. For those of you who know me, you understand how I really don't like to be hot. I don't mind laying out by my pool or at the beach when I have an immediate option on colling myself off, but when I have no options, I simply can't help but be grumpy and desperately trying to think of other things to distract myself from the heat. At the bizarre, I actually took my hat off for a couple of minutes, knowing that would allow some of the heat to escape my body...it is that bad. Again, I can not imagine what the infantry soldiers must be feeling as they are out on missions in the heat of the day with no options. I remind myself when I "think" I'm hot, that in fairness, I am really not that hot. I feel bad for those on missions and have already begun trying to find units currently at other locations who would benefit from a care package which I know my Iraq Pac friends will be sending. Honestly, they need it more than me.
This is partly why I haven't asked for much in the way of care packages. My requests are for simple things like coffee creamers, coffee and snacks like trail mix, granola bars, peanuts, freezer pops, etc. but when I think of those who are being challenged far more than I am, I rethink my requests. I have made a personal commitment to share the packages that I get. There simply is no other way. I could not go to sleep knowing I had the opportunity to share and I didn't. From what I've seen, many of those around me are doing the same thing. Just yesterday, a co-worker got a care package from her family and before she took anything out of it, she asked if I wanted anything. Trust me, she had some good snacks, but I immediately reminded myself that I really could do without: I didn't take anything. I will certainly enjoy my care packages, but I will also be the first to share. That's the way it has to be.
So, to my friends, family and co-workers: know that every package you send will be most appreciated, not just by me, but by so many others who are less fortunate and don't get care packages. This is just a small part of what makes us Great Americans. I can honestly say that I am doing my part.....I just hope everyone reading this takes a few seconds to appreciate what they have (and more importantly, recognize what you don't have). Those of us serving You are doing what we do best.... just for You!
God Bless the USA....
