Planes, trains, buses and taxi's. They say being a journalist is 90% "getting there." I'd say more like 99%. Well, we're not quite "there" yet but trying to make the most of where we are which is the JW Marriot in Kuwait City, Kuwait. To a good 'ol country boy like me this joint is quite impressive. I always judge hotels by their bathrooms. If I had the time, I think I could happily get through an entire Mitchner novel in this one.
We're working on doing some stories here about soldiers who also haven't quite made it to the big event so we'll be in Kuwait for a few days before moving up North. I'm hoping that tonight's rest will do away with the jet lag that over 36 hours of traveling imparts. Word to the wise: no matter how great the deal, don't take the 12 hour British Airways layover in London if you come this way. Since our arrival we've been working with our Public Affairs Officers, Maj. Dave Tippett and Cpt. Paul Edwards to cut through the red tape and are assured that there are good things ahead.
This afternoon Gina and I paid a visit "Camp Gustavo," where AP photographer Gustavo Ferrari host a little shin-dig at his Oasis camp on Friday afternoons for Ex-Pats living here or passing through. The directions to the camp went something like this: Do a U turn at mile marker 30something, then take a right through the break in the berm. Drive down the dirt track until you feel broken asphalt, then turn left by the old tire. Go straight until you pass under the power lines, then slightly left towards the two little hills on the horizon....
There, he and fellow ex-pats regaled us with stories of middle-eastern adventure and mayhem and treated us to grilled chicken from his BBQ pit (which is often destroyed by Kuwaiti tanks during training excercises) until a red sun descended below the desert horizon. Thanks to Gustavo and the rest of our new friends. You just made "getting there" a little easier.
