Mood:  chatty
Topic: The Places
So far, I have seen three Post Exchanges (PXs) in Iraq. Two were rather spartan, but one was really nice.

The PX near the Palace, which is the only one I can visit on a regular basis, is rather small. It is about twice the size of a large 7-11. It has a lot of junk food and a small selection of DVDs and CDs. Overall, it is rather depressing and the lines are notoriously long. Getting to the PX isn't very fun either. I have to armor up, get a driver, and pass through a military checkpoint.

When I returned from my regional rest break, I had to spend the day at Camp Stryker before catching a Rhino Bus back into the International Zone. The Camp Stryker PX was about the same size and was just as disappointing as the Palace PX. Still, there wasn't much else at Camp Stryker, so I was pretty happy to find it.

The PX at Camp Victory is much, much larger. Sadly, I cannot get to the Camp Victory PX on a regular basis. It is near the airport, and because of the insurgency, I can't simply drive out there. I will only be able to go there when I fly in or out of Baghdad International Airport for my rest breaks.

The Camp Victory PX has a large central plaza dotted with small gazebos. In one corner of the plaza the military erected a small bizarre where you could buy souvenirs, carpets, and paintings. On one side plaza, there are a number of small buildings, which housed an odd array of businesses spanning from a barber shop to a company that could help you buy a car. The main store has tons of junk food, clothing, stereos, books, magazines, shoes, bicycles, and much more. And . . . in the far corner of the plaza, I found a Burger King. I stood in line for five minutes to order a double whopper with cheese. Sure it was gluttonous, but it felt good to have a little reminder of home sliding down into my tummy.