Topic: Daily Life
I made it outside the compound today. That makes two days in a row that I slipped outside my concrete prison, though this time I only went over to the PX. All the same, I had to put on my battle rattle and get a driver from the motor pool. Just in case you think that putting on battle rattle seems fun, think again. The armor weights about 22 pounds and is bulky. After a short 10 minute ride and four military checkpoints, I arrived at the PX. The PX wasn't very big. It was about the size of a large 7-11. I heard that there is a huge PX out near the airport, but because of the security situation, I can't go there. The PX in the International Zone only had snacks, some canned and dried food, laundry supplies, toiletries, a few CDs, and a few larger items (CD players, camelbacks, and a host of other odd things). The PX did offer some "protection" for the few Americans who actually get "lucky" in Iraq. If you were ever embarrassed buying condoms in the States, imagine the poor sap who buys a box of condoms with a gaggle of soldiers all around him/her. Oddly, the PX didn't have any coins. I now have these little paper chips that are about the size of a quarter and worth 25 cents and "is redeemable at any [PX] around the world." I guess it is too expensive for the military to ship in coins to Iraq.