Back in Hades!

Back from paradise and in Hades now. Nairobi was absolutely beautiful! The days were in the mid 70s and the nights were in the mid 50s. The elevation was 5,300 feet, green, and cool. We flew around some lightening storms on our way back last night. What a spectacular display! The sunset was stunning, as you can see.

I got back to my CLU after work tonight to find the air conditioner blowing hot air. It was 99.8 degrees in there! Luckily it is fixed now and cooling nicely. I have always appreciated air conditioning, but now I have an even greater appreciation for it. I was so sweaty, all I needed was soap and I could have lathered up with no running water!

Here are some sights from Nairobi and the sunset on our flight back to Hades. Enjoy.

Kenya Trip Continued

Day one of meetings and planning is complete. Went to the shopping center just up the hill and bought some gifts. Now updating my blog while I wait for dinner. Speaking of dinner, the food here is outstanding!! Of course we have people on our team who have been here before and know all the good places to eat. That always helps.

Tomorrow begins the important meetings. Meanwhile, here are some more sights from Nairobi. Enjoy! All but the flower are from where we ate brunch on Sunday, the day we got here.

Kenya Trip

7-22-12

I am on my way to Nairobi, Kenya on a C-12, which is a plane that has two turbo prop engines and is usually used for executives (Generals).  I am at 24,000 feet traveling at 180 knots. Very cool plane! I think if I got on my knees, my head would almost touch the ceiling.

On take-off I got to see where I am from the air for the first time, as I came in while it was dark. There is nothing but dessert! There are very few trees. There are “houses” around, but no town or obvious means of earning a living.

I am hoping to go to the Nairobi National Park today, but we’ll see.  I have been anxious for an opportunity to see some African wildlife. All they have on Camp Lemonnier are pigeons and some crow-looking bird. I did see three camels outside the Camp when we went down town a couple weeks ago, though.

The temperature in Nairobi is supposed to be pretty cool. Courtney checked and June and July are supposed to be their coolest months with highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s! That will be a welcomed break from the sauna I’ve been living in.

More after I get to the hotel. I’m not sure if I should post pictures of the hotel because is very nice. We use it because it is within our lodging limit for the area and because it is near the Embassy, where we have a meeting.  I’m looking forward to wondering around the shops, although Diane hasn’t told me what she wants me to look for. All I know is she wants some materiel.  That’s it.

Well, here I am, my first night in Nairobi. Absolutely gorgeous weather. It’s 73 degrees during the day and in the 50s at night. June and July are their coolest months of the year, believe it or not. January is their hottest month.

Security here is very tight. There are security guards at the market who wand you before you are allowed in. We’ve been told to only use the cash machines that have armed guards at them. There were two at the machine we used when we got here, who were armed with AK-47s.

Tomorrow we have meetings, as well as Tuesday and Wednesday, then it’s back to the sauna in Djibouti (my reality for the next 5 ½ months).

Completion of Week Two

Well, week two down and about 20 to go. My trip to Nairobi, Kenya is all planned and set. All I have to do now is pack. Although this is a working trip with long hours, I hope to have time to ride through the Nairobi National Park, where the big 5 are supposed to be. I will have plenty of pictures to post upon my return.

Last night was seafood night. I missed it last Friday and almost missed it last night. I had Alaskin King Crab Legs, fried shrimp, crab bites, and sauteed King Crab meat. DELISH!!

Completion of Week One

7-14-12
Today is Saturday and I have been here for one week.  The time has flown!  Tomorrow is our day off and some of us from the office are driving 2 1/2 hours away to a beach where we can snorkel.  I will take plenty of pictures and post them.

I miss everyone.  Christopher is having a blast in NC with his uncle Scott and aunt Janie.  They went crabbing and boating today.  I know he is having a great time with them.

7-15-12
Well, no liberty today, so the beach will have to wait until another day.  I guess I'll use my day off to work on  War College, go to the gym, and do laundry.  I get lots of exercise walking to and from work, which is about a 15 minute walk.  My CLU is near the end of the living area, but there is a water cooler near by and the NEX (Naval Exchange) is not too far.

Why am I having hot coffee in this heat??  It is 8:45 am and already 97 degrees!  It's really not too bad because you get acclimated to the heat.  The sun is what gets you.  In the evening you smell burning plastic and animals being burned off Camp.  At least my CLU is cool and I can't smell the plastic or animals burning.

The Journey Has Begun

7-5-12

Yesterday was very tough good-byes at BWI airport. 

Today was spent in the hotel room (well, suite) updating electronic files and testing out electronic internet communications.  Now waiting at the air terminal for my flight to board in about 1 hour and twenty minutes from now.  I got up early in hopes of being tired enough to sleep on the first leg of the flight.  That flight will take me to Rota, Spain, Italy, then Djibouti, Africa.

7-11-12

I arrived in country at 4:00 am on Saturday, 4-7-12 Djibouti time, 17 1/2 hours flying time and 25 hours total travel time.  Sleep was hard to come by on the plane.  Once I arrived I had in-briefings, was assigned my CLU (Containerized Living Unit), met the guy I am replacing, dropped off my bags in my room, then attended two meetings, took a tour of the base, then headed to my room to unpack.  I got to bet around 6:00 pm, woke up a few times and got up at 1:00 am.  I went to work, but could not open the combination lock on my office door.  I finally gave up, and as I was heading out, realized that if I had gotten in, I didn’t know the code to disarm the alarm.  What a first impression I would have made! Getting jacked up by security my first day would not have been fun.

There is plenty of work – very interesting and challenging work. It will be an interesting six months!

In one of the briefings, we were told this is the hottest place on earth that is inhabited continuously.  I believe it.  Yesterday morning the heat index was 126 degrees!  I don’t know what it was in the heat of the day.  And this isn’t the hottest month.  That comes in August.  I guess I’ll get the worst of the heat over on the front end of this deployment.

 Thank god for modern technology.  I am able to Skype with my family every day when I have Wi-Fi access.  Pretty cool, although the seven-hour time difference can make it a challenge.  We are seven hours ahead of Eastern daylight time.

Me and my shadow

Local Palace Hotel (The only green I've seen here)

Djiboutian Market 1

Djiboutian Market 2

My rack (Navy term)

My Flattop

Good-Byes

7-4-12

Last night Dad and Nancy took me, Diane, and Christopher out for a drink. Christopher and I were supposed to go for one last ride, but when I woke up it was raining. It appears to be clearing up now, so we should be able to go. We will meet Courtney later to go to the airport. I am hoping me bag won't be too heave for the airline!

7-5-12

Yesterday was very tough good-byes at BWI airport. 

Today was spent in the hotel room (well, suite) updating electronic files and testing out electronic internet communications.  Now waiting at the air terminal for my flight to board in about 1 hour and twenty minutes from now.  I got up early in hopes of being tired enough to sleep on the first leg of the flight.  That flight will take me to Rota, Spain, Italy, Bahrain, then Djibouti, Africa.

Departure Day

Today is the day.  Dad and Nancy came up and took me, Diane, and Christopher out for drinks last night. Christopher and I are supposed to go for one last ride this morning, but it has been raining.  Not much time to play with.  We may make a run for it and see if the rain holds out for us.  Still have to move a couple things also.  I am hoping my bag is not over weight at the airport.