From Germany to Kuwait

Well, as many of you know, I had to leave Germany and head down to Kuwait.  I couldn't really tell you when I was leaving or where exactly I was going, but now that I'm safely here, I can share with you. 

It was really hard leaving Malisa and Collin after only being with them for so short a time.  We had a blast while we were in Germany and it won't be long before we're travelling all over the place again! 

Here's Collin trying on my stuff as I was packing up all my gear....

It was about 3:00 in the morning when I had to show up and get my weapon and load my bags up in the hangar.  Still dark...saying goodbye as the sun came up...

 

The sun coming up in Katterbach...my last temperate weather for a while.

There is nothing harder than saying goodbye to your wife and children to head off to war.

We said goodbye then I went inside the hangars to get my bags and load them on the trucks.  Then we all got on the buses that would take us to the Air Force Base.

Dr. Bigley (Dan) is my buddy, co-worker and boss.  We were split up into different chalks and loaded onto the busses, he was the highest ranking (Major) and so here he is, aka "Chalk 5 Commander"!

Before we got on the airplane to head down to Kuwait, we had to stop and manifest...basically, let all of our bags get weighed, weigh ourselves with our carry on bags and get accurate numbers.  It took a while, so we stopped at a holding area where we could rest and eat. 

So...we finally arrive in Kuwait and take a bunch of buses and finally arrive at our destination.  Here's my first impression of my new camp, lol....it's a bus stop, apparently to Hell....nothing like a sign that says "Bus Stop" with absolutely nothing around it. 
 
Oh, I guess that's actually not my first impression.  My first impression was that God was holding a hair dryer the size of a planet and blasting it on full heat and pointing it directly at those of us getting off the bus.  You can't understand how hot it is here until you come.  And for those of you that want to come....www.goarmy.com I'm pretty sure that will get you here :)

We just slept the first day, then the next day we got right to work.  Here's Dan going through our units medical records.  Well, I was too...but took a break to take some pictures.  There happens to be a picture of Collin playing on the slideshow in the background.

This is my new cozy little room!  My bunk is in the middle on the right.

Remember my friend Ben from all the Germany pictures?  Here he is in Kuwait also...

Sunset in the desert...

Here's Dan, hard at work in the Aid Station!

Here I am in front of our transient Aid Station.  We don't see too many patients each day, but we have a good time just hanging around and talking/teaching each other to pass the time.

 
I've been going to the gym every night, trying to get that always-elusive 6 pack!  This time, it's going to happen!!

And finally, the infamous self-shot.  It was about 10 pm and I was waiting to go into the movie theatre to see "Zodiac".  The movie was probably okay, but the sound was hard to hear because it's a tent and the air conditioners were running.

It was tradition for units to paint their slogan or representation on a concrete barrier while in Kuwait and Iraq.  Here's our Task Force, 3-158 Aviation Regiment. 

Movement from Kuwait to Iraq.  Helping to load and unload our bags.

 

 

 

 

 

 

King Ludwigs Royal Cottage - Linderhof, Germany

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE: I know that I usually post long and detailed blogs, but due to time constraints at the internet cafe here in Kuwait, I'll have to keep it brief!  I hope you still enjoy the pictures though!

After Malisa, Collin, Ben, Sheri and I went to Neuschwanstein Castle, we spent the next day traveling down to the Southeastern part of Bavaria where we saw King Ludwig's *other* magnificent residence, his Royal Cottage.  Some views along the way..

When we arrived, we found that the estate was expansive, with this large pool and garden facing across from the residence itself.  The statue in the middle of the water would shoot a fountain of water about 50 feet into the air, but only from time to time...I'm not sure if it was timed hourly or not, but it was pretty impressive.

Collin had a little grumpy moment and didn't want to smile for the camera, but it only lasted a couple minutes.  We were kinda making fun of him and making grumpy lips ourselves...

The gardens and statues were great!

This was King Ludwigs bed...the picture is very poor quality, and I apologize, but I had to take it in stealth mode.  The wood carvings extended up to the ceiling, it was gorgeous!

The "backyard"

 

The gardens along the side of the mansion

Collin was doing a funny little dance...looks like he's Hawaiian!!

The fountains when they shot up into the air...

A view of the Royal mansion from the steps across the pool..

Climbing higher and higher up the steps....gorgeous backdrop of the German Alps in the background...

Thomas the Tank Engine is a world-renowned traveler!

After exploring Ludwig's mansion, we stopped nearby to have some lunch and coffee.  Collin had the Donald Duck ice cream, which he loved!

It was a great weekend to see the Royal Cottage and Neuschwanstein Castle all in one weekend and the history of King Ludwig's eccentric personality is fascinating.  I could go into a lot of detail about it, but I would rather encourage you to come visit, stay at our hooch and see it for yourself! 

It's nice to see these pictures and remember what green grass and trees look like....time to put on my hat, pick up my weapon and head back out into the land-which-supports-no-life as I like to call this place.  Unless you're an oil magnate or soldier, I can't think of a whole lot of reasons why anybody would want to visit Kuwait.  I can only imagine how fun Iraq's going to be next week when I get up there. 

Thanks for reading my blog and if I haven't heard from you in a while, drop me a line damnit!  I need all the reading I can get down here :D