Girl's Night Out, Free Dinner and a Movie at the Base!

Yesterday I hurried through my work and anticipated 4:00 when I would begin my evening of fun. So I waited for my friend’s dad to finish a meeting with my dad and take me back to his house. Apparently they were having “chum time” as the other soldiers called it cuz they took forever! Once the meeting finished dad left and I sat around talking to soldiers and waiting for my ride.

Eventually we went back to his house and picked up his wife and daughter and all piled in for the 45 minute drive to Camp Arafjan. We all talked about really random things, but laughed the entire way there. Kate pulled out her cell phone which belonged to the previous girls who lived in her house,and we were laughing but totally shocked at the insane text messages the 14 year old had left on her phone.

At the dining hall our badges were scanned and we had an amazing free meal. I had ham and it was soo good. We were the only family in the dining hall, and greeted and were greeted by everyone. I really enjoyed just talking and laughing with her family. It was great since they are also new and are appreciating learning about all of the cultural differences. We had lots of good conversation and laughs.

After dinner we hurriedly snarfed down our baskin robins in time to go visit the chief. We brought some chocolate chip cookies from the dining hall and the book which he was very appreciative over. The chief just couldn’t get over the fact that we all came up to visit him. He looked like he was in shock actually when we pulled back the curtains and surprised him. The hospital looked so temporary. It was nice facilities seeing as well it’s on a base in the middle of the desert. But still, I mean it was just very makeshift. And even the chief didn’t get his own room, he was in a big ward. He claimed that he was being well taken care of and the army nurses were doing great. But still, it just makes you appreciate the entire American military. I really can’t believe I’m here right now. It still just blows me away. I’m not going to Lakenheath or Ramstein base in England or Germany anymore to shop for groceries or do something up at the school. No, this base’s main purpose is to support Iraq.

We wandered around the base for a while and checked out the community centers. There were several big converted warehouses staffed with volunteers who were signing out games, playing movies, had ping pong and air hockey going, giving out free sodas and candy bars. We were all just so happy they were being treated well. Eventually we found the movie theater. It was free entrance. And I don’t even think this movie has been out very long either. Before all the previews the soldiers stood at attention during the National Anthem. The theater was a decent size, nice seats and tons of leg room. But the screen was small and only fair. The speakers were stuck in odd corners of the room with wires running everywhere. But nobody cared. Everyone was just thankful that it was there. Because the movie theater was in the Community Center there was Karaoke going on next door. It was hilarious listening to the men attempt to sing. During the romantic parts in the movie everyone in the theater would burst out laughing simply because some burly soldier was trying to sing I Kissed A Girl and epically failing. And then a cell phone went off. Kate’s dad was laughing and wondering who would be such a fool to leave their cell phone on. His wife told him to shut up because she thought it was just part of the movie. But Kate and I sat there laughing as she poked her dad and pointed out that it was his cell phone going off. He immediately switched from joking dad to military officer and quickly walked outside to take the call, totally mortified while we all sat there laughing.

As we left the base it was sad to see that there was more security than when we entered. The guards had to scan our IDs in order to ensure we were allowed off base. Most of the soldiers are not permitted to leave the base. On special occasions the Embassy will invite groups of them down, but till then they stay in their village in the sand.

I enjoyed watching the Time Traveler’s Wife and all the thinking it involved to just follow and understand the storyline. But the whole evening was the fun part. Just getting out and about and enjoying dinner and a movie with a friend and experiencing the military base was an experience enough.