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Our Chariot

After a much needed break in the country of Qatar, I am back! In an attempt to not show my activities in Qatar for the next two months (I took a lot of pictures), I will only be showing a smattering of them. Our ride down there and back was aboard a C-130 transport plane. It consists of bench seats with a seating capacity of 64 stretching the length of the aircraft. You sit facing the row of people across from you with your knees inter-twined. Good thing it was only a 2 and 1/2 hour ride! 11/18/03

Boys Will Be Boys

One of the first things we did once we finally made it to Qatar was head to the beer tent where we drank our allotted three beers (they limit you to three beers a day to avoid alcohol related incidents). From left to right is Captain (CPT) Matt Levantovich, who is in our brigade's blackhawk battalion; CPT Pat Wilde, who is in the air traffic control company attached to our brigade; and me, CPT John Tucker. After not drinking for nearly eight months, three 20-ounce beers gave you a buzz! 11/19/03

The Rough Life

The facilities (a full size gym, countless internet connections and phones, real restaurants to include a Chili's and frosty cold beverages) in Qatar were what we dreamt about all summer, especially the swimming pool. Although it was only in the mid-90's (as opposed to the mid-120's of the summer), the water was very cool and refreshing. Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW2) Jeff Raglan also got to show off his Hawaiian shirt that had been packed away for seven months. 11/20/03

The Persian Gulf

A view of the Persian Gulf as seen from the top-floor restaurant at the Sheraton Hotel in Doha, Qatar. The small bay in the center of the picture is the base for all of the hotel's water activities. There was also a lot of construction going on all up and down the coast. The economy in Qatar is definitely doing well! The white strip of land you see out in the water is actually a large sandbar. 11/21/03

More Shrimp Please!

While we were on a five-hour excursion into the city of Doha, Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW2) Jeff Raglan and I (Captain (CPT) John Tucker) ate at the Sheraton Hotel's hearty buffet. The spread included jumbo shrimp in a cream sauce (I ate about 3 dozen shrimp), lamb chops, braised beef, fried fish, some native dishes (similar to egg rolls), all the side dishes you can imagine, a never-ending salad bar, and a dessert table like none I have ever seen. The Persian Gulf is directly behind us. 11/22/03