(no subject)
Big update Well life here is different. The temperature is oppressive to say the least. I am feeling cold on a night time when its 30 C!! This probably has something to do with the fact it has broken 50 on a couple of days, and is not far off it every other day. Before we even got here, we should have realised it was going to be "interesting". The flight over on the transport aircraft was where it all started. now as you can see, these things are huge!!
After take off, the captain said to us all that we were going to be in the air for over four hours, two hour stop then in the air for over four hours again and that we might want to make ourselves comfy. Cue ten of us opening our bags, removing our roll-mats and big green time machines (sleeping bags) and getting down to some hardcore sleep or multiplayer PSP gaming! yes, we just streched out on the floor of the cargo area :)
That should have been that, unfortunately myself and about 5 others were asleep when the aircraft went through a little bit of turbulence (the crew said it was the worst they had ever encountered). Needless to say we all woke up in mid air! Not something I to repeat without lots of advance warning. After the sudden wake up, and thoughts of "shit shit shit" I bounced/stumbled/crawled/was thrown back to my seat an buckled myself in again. I have no fear of flying what so ever, but it still scared the hell outa me! The rest of the flight was cool after that, we refueld and eventually landed here after over 11 hours transit time, (only 2 of that spent on the ground). Because it was dark when we arrived, we pretty much just went to our assigned sleeping areas to try and get our heads down.
When daylight came we all got our first taste of American hospitality. Because the British cookhouse hadn't been finished yet, ALL forces were using the DFAC (American chow hall). I swear I gained more than a few pounds in the first week or so I was here. The food there is very good, hot an plentiful. Just what everyone needs, did I mention that there is ice-cream with EVERY meal, Donuts with breakfast (and waffles, muffins, bagels etc), and that the fridges are stacked with cans of pop (the real stuff too). Oh, Saturdays is seafood night, that means crab and lobster (yes lobster). The yanks really know how to look after their own. Only problem now is that last week our cookhouse finally opened (sob), guess I will be losing weight then, either that or using Subway, BK an Pizza hut! No, I'm not kidding, they are here.
The first few days were supposed to be spent setting up, instead it was spent building areas to park our whirly birds. all day for the first two days we were out in the blazing sun! Not good an it hurt like hell. We were just lucky no-one went down with serious sunburn or sunstroke. Once that was behind us, we finished our other setup, then got down to our normal work. Timings weren't too bad. 8 on 16 off. Unfortunately I pulled the night crew so after three weeks I was still almost milk bottle white! That has pretty much been the normal run of things since I got here, work like hell for 8-9 hours, then (try) an relax and sleep.For the first two weeks I was here I slept an awful lot. I swear I was a lizard in a former life. Last week our crews changed, I am now on 12 hour shifts, and its days. This means I am finally starting to tan.
Obviously there's lots I'd like to be able to say but as you all know there are certain things I can't.
Yes I'm still ok, and looking forward to getting back. Oh, and anyone that fancies sending letters feel free, its always good to get mail ^_^
Will post again soon, wth more pics next time.
After take off, the captain said to us all that we were going to be in the air for over four hours, two hour stop then in the air for over four hours again and that we might want to make ourselves comfy. Cue ten of us opening our bags, removing our roll-mats and big green time machines (sleeping bags) and getting down to some hardcore sleep or multiplayer PSP gaming! yes, we just streched out on the floor of the cargo area :)
That should have been that, unfortunately myself and about 5 others were asleep when the aircraft went through a little bit of turbulence (the crew said it was the worst they had ever encountered). Needless to say we all woke up in mid air! Not something I to repeat without lots of advance warning. After the sudden wake up, and thoughts of "shit shit shit" I bounced/stumbled/crawled/was thrown back to my seat an buckled myself in again. I have no fear of flying what so ever, but it still scared the hell outa me! The rest of the flight was cool after that, we refueld and eventually landed here after over 11 hours transit time, (only 2 of that spent on the ground). Because it was dark when we arrived, we pretty much just went to our assigned sleeping areas to try and get our heads down.
When daylight came we all got our first taste of American hospitality. Because the British cookhouse hadn't been finished yet, ALL forces were using the DFAC (American chow hall). I swear I gained more than a few pounds in the first week or so I was here. The food there is very good, hot an plentiful. Just what everyone needs, did I mention that there is ice-cream with EVERY meal, Donuts with breakfast (and waffles, muffins, bagels etc), and that the fridges are stacked with cans of pop (the real stuff too). Oh, Saturdays is seafood night, that means crab and lobster (yes lobster). The yanks really know how to look after their own. Only problem now is that last week our cookhouse finally opened (sob), guess I will be losing weight then, either that or using Subway, BK an Pizza hut! No, I'm not kidding, they are here.
The first few days were supposed to be spent setting up, instead it was spent building areas to park our whirly birds. all day for the first two days we were out in the blazing sun! Not good an it hurt like hell. We were just lucky no-one went down with serious sunburn or sunstroke. Once that was behind us, we finished our other setup, then got down to our normal work. Timings weren't too bad. 8 on 16 off. Unfortunately I pulled the night crew so after three weeks I was still almost milk bottle white! That has pretty much been the normal run of things since I got here, work like hell for 8-9 hours, then (try) an relax and sleep.For the first two weeks I was here I slept an awful lot. I swear I was a lizard in a former life. Last week our crews changed, I am now on 12 hour shifts, and its days. This means I am finally starting to tan.
Obviously there's lots I'd like to be able to say but as you all know there are certain things I can't.
Yes I'm still ok, and looking forward to getting back. Oh, and anyone that fancies sending letters feel free, its always good to get mail ^_^
Will post again soon, wth more pics next time.