Baghdad Anne - Part 3A

Photos - The Journey

These photos are from my journey from Northern Virginia to the Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq.

I was upgraded to a suite in the hotel in Amman. This is the living area. Trust me, this happened once!

Noice, if you like this gaudy decor!

The best part - a clean and comfy bed!

C-130; our ride from Amman to Baghdad. Please note that they made us get onto the bus to ride the approximately 30 feet from the terminal to the aircraft.

This is me in my PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) issued to us at Camp Sully (in the background). I was stuck with this set the entire year I was there. Also please note that somehow I managed to pack the wrong “zip-off” lower legs to my cool camping pants, hence the two-colors. What a nerd!!

And of course! The military had immediately put up a Subway once they opened BIPA (the US military portion of the Baghdad International Airport).

And a Green Bean…

View of Camp Sully. This was a holding area for Department of State personnel coming to/leaving Iraq via BIAP. These are “dry” hootches meaning no bathroom. You had to leave the “hootch” (which had two beds; yes, you got a roommate whether you liked it or not) in order to use the toilet/shower/brush your teeth, etc.

Camp Stryker. Where we hung out until dark so we could hop onto the “Rhinos” and drive down Route Irish, which was the most dangerous street in the world at the time.

Stay tuned for Part 4 - Gonzo Guide to Transiting Amman