There are some differences between this gig and others I've worked in the Middle East. The most notable is this is a U.S. contract, but on an Iraq Air base. There are few things missing. Like a PX/BX. At those little stores on U.S. bases, shipping is subsidized, some of the products are manufactured for and labeled 'exchange select' and the profits from the store go into the Morale Welfare and Recreation fund of the base. There are two Iraqi stores here, one that sells things you would expect a convenience store to sell, and the other establishment that sells some electronics, shoes, knick knacks and paddy whacks. You might find a geegaw or so as well. They literally have a captive group of consumers. Need some shampoo? Toothpaste? Deodorant? You have one store, one option, and at the price they set. This was all made clear to me before I hopped on my first delayed flight, so I knew what to expect and was fairly adequately provisioned.
There is one other option to get what you want/need and that is the proverbial mule. I hopped on my bike one morning and started to pedal away only to find I had a puncture. The bike I bought at the geegaw store is so cheap, the wheels do not have a quick release skewer, they are attached with an archaic nut and bolt.
It's not far to work, so I walked, sweated and plotted how I'd get my hands on an adjustable wrench. The Automotive shop, staffed mainly by Iraqi's, eagerly offered to repair my flat tire, but I explained to them this is a government contract that didn't allow personal work to be done during hours billed to the USG. I told them all I needed was an adjustable wrench, which they had never heard of. I switched things up. I told them I needed a spanner. They got that, then asked what size I needed - 10 mm? 12 mm? I didn't know. Then I pantomimed the spanner moving. They understood that. "Ohhhh, you mean an English wrench!" Okay, call it what you want. Back to the mule. If you need anything as exotic as an English wrench to help repair future punctures, you have to contact people who are on the way in, perhaps someone you have recently hired, and ask them to buy and put something in their 30kg weight allowance luggage. Then they mule it in for you. When the plane flies again someday.
But the thing I miss the most here is the work wife that I had in Afghanistan and Kuwait. A work wife/husband is someone of the opposite (or same) sex with whom you have a close platonic relationship at work. Gwyne knew all about this relationship, I disclosed everything. I’m lucky she’s so understanding. My work wife was something else. Need something? Anything at all? Just ask and she’d get it for you. She was super efficient. I’d just be going about my workaday business and she’d suggest something I might be interested in. Chances were, I was. Just like Gwyne, she gets me. She also really liked how frequently and deftly I use my index finger. I know this because just as soon as I was finished, right after that last touch, she always quickly expressed her appreciation. When I found out my work wife wouldn't be at this assignment, I'm certain my eyes moistened, because I'm a very sentimental person. There is no APO (Army Post Office) here because you only find those on U.S. bases. Which means no work wife for me. Oh Amazon, sweet, sweet Amazon Prime. My work wife. I miss you so much. But I'm going to hook up with you when I get back, k?
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