It’s hard to believe, but I hear people asking where the recycle bins are here in the International Zone. I try to be as “green” as I can, but I think in the grand scheme of things over here, recycling my water bottles falls pretty far below listening for incoming mortars and making sure I don’t catch any insect-borne diseases. I suspect it is even further down the list of important things to do for people who live outside the IZ.
There is a lot of trash on the sides of the roads over here, but not as much as I expected to see. That is probably because we are in the International Zone…and there is probably some effort to keep the place looking presentable. I’d be willing to bet the areas outside are strewn with garbage, remnants of buildings destroyed by war, and vehicles destoryed by IEDs.
But, on the other hand, I think there is a concerted effort to make the most of everything we have here in the IZ. There are not a lot of places to get “new” things here in Iraq, or the IZ specifically. You don’t see a lot of the “disposable” culture of the United States. Instead, you see people looking for unique ways to make use of every thing they have.
For instance, I took a trip today to a dining facility that is closing this Friday. The area is going to be turned over to the Government of Iraq, so all the American equipment is being “redistributed”. When I heard about this from a second lieutenant down the road, I asked her for the name the NCOIC of the dining facility. I wanted to see what he had, and how we could use it at our new Combined Press Information Center at Camp Prosperity (my relatives and friends will testify that I am a pack rat, so this was purely impulse).
When we arrived, SPC Mary Lee (one of our escort drivers who knows the area well) and I had hoped to find a refrigerator to keep water cold. With the summer quickly approaching, that would have been a treasure. When we met the first sergeant of the dining facility, he pointed to a very tall and very heavy cooler with sliding glass doors and a Coca-Cola design on the sides. He told us it worked well and asked us if we wanted it.
Although it was not exactly what I wanted, I figured I was not likely to find a stainless steel designer refrigerator that dispensed crushed ice and water….so I said “yes”. He shouted for some help, and a group of Iraqis and other international staff rushed to help load it on the back of the truck we brought.
Just as I was about to put my back into it, one of the workers told me the cooler in fact did not work. The first sergeant, unaware of this, seemed a little embarrassed (trying to pass off shoddy, albeit free merchandise is not a crime, but it’s not something you do to a fellow NCO). In an attempt to quickly recover his dignity, he asked us if we would like an almost new freezer instead.
Hmmm….a freezer? That sounds much colder than a cooler, and more preferable on 130 degree days in Baghdad. I immediately said “yes” again….and was quite happy to see a spotlessly clean freezer on wheels in the next room. It looked like it had stored tubs of ice cream until quite recently.
Within a few minutes, SPC Lee, a team of workers and I had loaded the freezer on the back of the truck and sped away — happy with a new acquisition.
What will I use the freezer for? Well, I am not quite sure at this point. I am entertaining suggestions from blog readers and 314th PAOC soldiers. No matter what we decide, it is just one more piece of equipment that has new life thanks to “recycling” in the IZ.
Wednesday, 25. February 2009
Hurray for “pack rats”. Your grandfather would be so proud of you. He is after all the “grand poopaa of pack rats. I know first hand as I cleaned out his stash of 63 years. If you were in need of anything he had it. Including homemade red wine from a mere 50 years ago. It seems to me it killed the grass when disposed of by the ‘grand poopaa’s wife. Keep up the good work and you may have a job after rerirement. Junkyard dealers are hard to come by. Hope all is well. Take care and God bless you and the rest of the unit.
love mom
Wednesday, 25. February 2009
I would mail you ice cream but it might not survive the trip! how about a ice cream churn and you all could make ice cream?
Thursday, 26. February 2009
The ice cream churn sounds perfect, I bet there will be no shortage of ice….unless there is a shortage of water.HAHA
Thursday, 26. February 2009
I have to agree with your mom regarding the pack rat spirit, my first thought was “Grandpa Jim would be so proud!” As for the freezer, I don’t think you said how large it is, but possibly use it as the opposite of a sauna (if you can fit in there)? It sounds like you’re all keeping very busy and doing a great job, keep it up and take care
Saturday, 28. February 2009
Hay Mom! Don’t pore out that vintage wine! Ship to me for the 314th Homecoming party! Of course I’ll have to sample and pass judgement on it’s Quality. And sample, and sample and oh well you get the picture!
Monday, 2. March 2009
I think I am as bad as Grandpa Jim but boy I have some treasures. I’m planning on going up north during spring break to go thru all the treasures we packed away when we moved Grandma & Grandpa out of their house a few years ago. I know for sure that there is a pair of red one piece longjohns with the back drop but do not think you need them in Iraq. It will be fun to see what I thought we couldn’t live without. I love going thru all the family history article’s. Will set aside a box of treasures for you to check out when you return home. Love you and take care, “Aunt Ugly Betty”
Monday, 2. March 2009
Lots of water bottles so you can have cold water when they thaw, or to put down your shirt for instant cooling relief. Love the blogs, miss all the guys I know in your unit. ALMOST makes me want to deploy again. Keep up the good work!
MSG P
Tuesday, 3. March 2009
Frozen water bottles will be ready to drink by the time you get down the road on a convoy. They will also make excellent bartering tools.
Wednesday, 4. March 2009
SGM,
I think packrating is a SGM thing. Maybe 46Z SGM thing. During my tour a HUMMV (not kidding and yes he put it on the books), bikes, refrigerators, etc. showed up. It seemed second nature. His sidekick, nicknamed Sanford from the TV show, Sanford and Son, also managed to find loads of stuff to take out to the Iraqis and to our international workers. I think is was playtime for them. Oh, his sidekick is my husband.
Frozen water bottles was the first thing I thought of. We took 3-5 big bottles per Soldier every time. It roasts quickly when the vehicle is 20 degrees hotter than outside.
Frozen cookies and candy bars are yummy and particularly when you’re watching vapors rise at 2300 hours off the sidewalks because of the heat releasing. Betcha can’t wait for July now!