Gay Paris'

I forgot to tell all about my Paris experience/ Layover trip...sweet! I am not one to do the tourist thing. The plan was to take the Metro to the Left Bank and hang out with the artists and vendors and people watch. I wanted to sit in a Seine-side cafe and sip cafe-au-lait and eat a real crepe and just absorb the atmosphere. The Artists and vendors don't roll out of bed until 10-ish, bummer, (I was there at 8 am), and I was chased out of a crepe shop by an old women wielding a big broom, (I think she said they weren't open yet or maybe she said "get out you vagrant"- my French is poor at best). But the coffee was good, I found much better crepes elsewhere and I had a time shopping. Only one very french women turn down my request for directions with "no parlez-vous english", (and I think she may have stepped in doggie do-do for her nose was reaching for the heavens). I saw Notre Dame- very impressive! Everyone was generally nice if you greet them in french, so I used my definite words as to not offend anyone and had a get time. I passed on the Eiffel Tower, but I got the earrings, ( real proof that you were there or at least near). I've checked Paris off my bucket list, but if I ever happened to stumble back- the subway/metro is super easy to navigate (color coded),  and use the kiosk to buy your tickets. It only looks scary.
Next lay over trip is Amsterdam!

Original date- March 1st. First day of R&R

My first day of R&R, what a bust. No hugs or kisses for me. I can't use my charge card or get money out and my room in Dubai ended up costing twice what I was quoted and then it was dirty and I got bit by something. I'm taking this opportunity to rest and write and read. Things I have not been able to do since leaving home. I am committed to making the best of things. I reported the pest, got housekeeping to come up and had a very expensive meal..wha-la! Who needs a genie when you have positivity! I'm sure I could get a taxi to town, but what's the point? I'm tired and I was up all the night before sick as a dog from a nasty experience at a DFAC and this morning was exausting! A great thing happened in the form of a foreign co-worker that is also on vacation. I bumped into him on my way out and he was so helpful, having done a prior R&R. I stupidly sent away the only guy that was there to help navigate my way out, because I fiqured why should we both be misable. It was cold out and we played the hurry up and wait game and the indoor terminal was restricted to us- being contracted to our competitor, so no sitting out of the weather. Unbelieveable! I was layered in clothing, coat and winter boots and still I froze. Most were not dressed for this kind of weather, so I'm blessed for all good things. Next stop is Paris and I hoping for better days...but I'll be home after that and it's all part of the experience!

Slow or fast- I'm on R&R!

Life is what you make it and I am back home on R&R. I can't believe I was in a war zone in hell. Nothing was familar- bugs, rocks and outhouses and everything is out to get you... I never lost my temper. I'm home for 2 seconds and I was ready to pull my hair out or maybe someone else's. So I had no choice. I did what any normal girl would do under the circumstances. I got a makeover and I bought a new car- (well, new to me anyhow), and I went electronic's shopping. Life is good again! The world is brighter and nothing can crap in my cheerios!
I'm having a blast back home, but everyone drives so fast! I've never gotten a speeding ticket, which means I never got caught. Seriously, I never drive more than 5 miles over any speed limit. We all need our boundaries and I try to be law abiding. In Afghanistan the speed limit is...drum roll please....20 mph! Really is! I thought it was ridiculous when I first saw that. Grandpa could shake his walker faster than that. Just try to drive at 20 mph- it is a chore to go that slow. But people still got in fender benders and I'm sure it's because the speed limit is so slow that they fell asleep! And when we do travel home, deployed person's motor vehicle accident rate is high. It's probably due to being conditioned to driving at a snails pace. It's a shock to see someone racing about at 35 mph!
Life at home is moving fast, but I'm adjusting. It's amazing how fast I got back into the swing of lunches and chats with the girls. I went to a bar with good food for dinner with my brother and the fam tonight. It was funny that everyone skedaddled soon after due to the noisy atmosphere. Here I'm absent of chinook noise, missile attacks and the wind that lifts my tent and shakes my bed...and I did not even notice the bar cheers. I don't know how I can sleep in all of this quietness. But I do sleep and well. It will no time at all and I'll be back in the sandbox- oh boy.