Leaving Camp Adder, next stop Camp Cedar II. 16Jul04

An Iraqi trying to make a living.


Today was the day I would take a convoy trip to Camp Cedar II. The place that I will be living and working at for the next 12 months. I was told that it's a 30 minute trip. Not that far. Terry Bryant (Camp Cedar Site Leader) and Tom Gilbert (IGX Tech) in their Nissan 4x4 pickup along with their two humvee escorts showed up at the office around 9:35am. After saying goodbye to the Adder gang and a hug from my amiga Rocio we were on the road for Camp Cedar II. The three amigo all on their own now.

With a humvee in front and one in the back, we go through the gates and barricades leaving Camp Adder in our rear view mirror. It is hot, dry and dusty. The landscape is flat with few trees, some scrubs. Not far from Camp Adder to our left a large pyramid shaped structure can be seen. Terry said that is the Ur and is dated 2300B.C. and that this area is the birth place of Abraham. The chaplain on base has regular tour there, I was told. I'll have to check it out one day. In case your wonder where I am in Iraq, Camp Adder and Cedar are located in Southern Iraq. Find the town of An Nasiriyah near the Euphrates river and that's where I am.

I try to take photos along the way but not very successful. The blacktop road, when it's there, is in poor condition. Between our speed, the bumps, dips and the dust only two photos were taken. I counted 3 dwellings (tents or adobe structures) along the way. On long the roadside were a couple of souvenir stands. We are not allowed to stop. The reason being, in the past someone had stopped and got their throat cut. Don't believe it was in this area. In addtion to that, when your stopped you make a better target. As well as the vendors on the road, there are also young children holding up water bottles, empty water bottles. It's plain to see that they are asking for water. Still can't stop even for them.

Our 30 minute trip comes to an end, reaching the gates of Camp Cedar II. We arrive without incident.