Last week George Steinbrenner and Harvey Pedar passed away. Everyone knows the base giant and New York Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner but do you know Harvey Pekar? Harvey Pekar, Cherri’s mother’s cousin, wrote a comic book about his life in Cleveland. The movie American Splendor starting Paul Giamatti (star in Sideways) as Harvey Pekar and Harvey Pekar playing himself was based on Harvey life and his comic book stories. More at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_Pekar
It is still hot and humid on the Horn of Africa, but not as hot. There was a dust storm on Sunday that felt a little cooler in the wind. The dust storms here are not near a bad as Northwest Iraq. It feels like the winds of Kansas and Nebraska, just hotter. The temperature is mild at 34 degrees or 93.2 degrees Fahrenheit. A few weeks ago it was 114 degrees Fahrenheit.
Last week my team hosted a dinner at a local Ethiopian restaurant. There were about 30 of us and about 30 people from the intelligent group from the Camp. We do not have the freedom to just drive off base. We have to obtain approval from the military with signed authorization.
The restaurant owner and our hostess, was very gracious. It common practice shake hands with both hands and kiss each other on each check. The restaurant owner greeted me in this way when I was introduced by one of my team mates. The food was very good and the atmosphere was great. Civilians and military from the base eat there are a regular basis.
I was almost homeless tonight. All visitors and residence of a military camp must check in with the Billeting department to be assigned to a place to live. My company had a living unit and just gave me the key. I did not check in. Yesterday I was caught. New arrivals of lower rank have to share a tent with other until rooms become available. I am fortunate to have a private room and a bathroom. Most have to stay in “dry” container and walk outside to the shower and latrine (head) in the Navy.
Camp Lemonnier in the county of Djibouti is a Navy base while the bases in Iraq are run by the Army. The Navy is different from the Army. Having spent the last 8 months on an Army base in Iraq, I am learning the ways of the Navy in Africa.
There is a long waiting list for living units so they were mad that I did not go on the waiting list, I just moved in. Fortunately, my position allowed me to get an exception so I could stay in the same room. The room is shipping container stacked on top of each other with a single bed, air-conditioned, bathroom, no carpet and limited furniture.
On Camp Lemonnier, we have just one dining facility, a work out center, small movie theater, and an internet cafe. There are two Yoga classes each week but I have not been to one yet. I think I will go tomorrow.
I have been working 10 -12 hours per day; 7 days a week.
Great fun on the horn----
All my best and all my love…..
James
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