peenkfloeed, time to check in Bro!!! - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**Canadian Dude** · 06-17-2004, 04:49 AM

Hey brotha, have not seen any posts from ya in a while, I think its time for a check in from ya!!! I hope you had a blast in Qatar! And I guess its safe to asume your back in Iraq now, so just a quick hello is all I'm asking!

**peenkfloeed** · 06-18-2004, 09:30 AM

Hey man,
Sorry I have been out of the loop, the net has really been sucking around here lately. I got back from Qatar safe and sound. Had a few rough encounters though. I did not apply enough sunscreen and got a pretty bad sunburn

And then the next day we went on an amazing desert safari trip in land cruisers. I would have never guessed that those things could flip almost totally horizontally and still not flip. During the desert safari we stopped on the persian gulf for an authentic qatari barbecue, very tasty...and a swim in the gulf. Well, we all jumped in and guess what, about 90% of us got stung by a swarm of baby jellyfish. That really really sucked. I had never been stung by one until then. I burned for the next few hours. Ouchness. But all in all it was a great little vacation from Iraq. I am now trying to go to door gunnery for blackhawks. It is amazing flying around in those things. The other day I got all my blood work done plus my urinalysis and ekg. I've got to go and get a full eye exam plus a hearing test next and then i'll be on my way.

**Canadian Dude** · 06-18-2004, 01:38 PM

Its great to hear from ya safe and sound...I know it sounds dumb but I think a few of use worry about ya over there and like to know all is well.

Glad to hear Qatar went well, sounds like you had a great time, the jelly fish story is kinda funny, but i do feel for how sore you are!!! Jelly fish stings must really suc!

Gunner on a Black Hawk huh? Wow, now that sounds like a big jump from desk jockey! Great now we will really have to worry!

**space virgin** · 06-18-2004, 02:33 PM

yikes, jellyfish! Those are no fun... we used to find dead ones on the beach at my cousins' house on whidbey island and throw them at each other when we were kids. But they weren't the kind that could really hurt, they just caused a "mild discomfort"

**worldwidemike** · 06-18-2004, 08:58 PM

Glad to hear you're safe and sound, Peenk. Qatar sounds like a blast, except for the jellyfish. I did something similar with the desert safari in the UAE...it was cool.

I understand that, wearing the uniform and all, and knowing there is shooting going on, that you want to jump to something a little more at the "sharp end." Just be careful...and remember those infamous words from Full Metal Jacket:

"How can you shoot women and children?"
"It's easy...you just don't lead them as much..."

I know...horrible, but it's what popped into my mind right now. Obviously, I know you wouldn't do that, Peenk!

worldwidemike

**travelpunk** · 06-20-2004, 01:58 AM

Quote:

remember those infamous words from Full Metal Jacket:

\"How can you shoot women and children?\"
\"It's easy...you just don't lead them as much...\"

I know...horrible, but it's what popped into my mind right now. Obviously, I know you wouldn't do that, Peenk!

That FMJ scene was one of the first things that popped into my mind too WWM! What an intense movie.

Glad that you're back safe and sound, PF B)