Cip in Ramadi

Hello to all;
Yes I know it's been forever.
Cip is adjusting to all that they have to offer in Ramadi. LOL.
He took a flight out of Baghdad, and about 40 minutes later he was in Ramadi (at night time). Thank Goodness he had the chance to fly out!!!!
He keeps really busy--- he said in one email, that he was working till about 10pm. The temp. is in the 70's, just wait till they hit 130 degrees. Yikes.

A little note from Cip:
Attended my first 1st Brigade (3rd infantry division) update. They're doing the heavy lifting (almost unlimited funding) on the reconstruction. The PRT's roll is more governance with soft project dollars (fire department equipment, etc.) to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi's...

I thought of a good way to describe this place. I thought of it while I was sitting in my office bathroom (porta-potty), this place is just like Rock'n the Hills, minus the music, booze, and my wife! Dirty and grimy with nothing to take your mind off the fact that you are living in a pit!
If there's one thing I miss about Baghdad, its being able to use my phone when I wanted to...

So that is the latest update I have from him. Sounds like it is really ugly(dirty). But if he can he wants to do his first R&R in May, then August and November, home for good next year, about this time-
I will try to log in more often---- haha----
Thankx for checking in---

PS-- Also thankx to the "BCDC" for all that you guys do and I will let you guys if there is anything that we need.

Dawn

A note from Cip

Hello all;
They probably couldnt have sent a more technology (especially internet) challenged person to help these poor folks...Beautiful day - don't know why I brought a coat, although I am told it did snow here about 3 weeks ago. Hope to be in Ramadi by the weekend. It depends on my processing.
Got a slow start when my sponsor grabbed the wrong person off the bus at 2am Monday morning leaving me stranded at the drop off site. Guess none of the guards (of which their are lots - most know about as much english as I know Arabic (Marhaba means Hello - thats about it) ) thought I was much of a threat since they let me pass through about a dozen or so gates on my way to the embassy (Sadam's main Palace - not to hard to find even in the dark). Sure they thought guard duty bites, but at least I'm not dragging a hundred pounds of luggage and equipment through the streets of Baghdad at 3am! I'm just glad I could make their day seem a little brighter...
On that happy note I will sign off.
Love and miss you all more than you can know...
Cip

Cip stillllllll in Baghdad

Yes I know- He is still in Baghdad for another 5'ish days. He is in the Green zone, which means the safe zone. If there is such a place in Baghdad. LOL.

Cip did call yesterday morning about 6:15am, which is 3:15pm- so about a 9 hour difference, the same day.

He will have to attend some more classes and that is why he is still in Baghdad. Then he will be heading to Ramadi for the rest of the time.

So that's all the news I have on this end. If he can find a phone, he plans on calling today sometime. I will keep you all up to date and thanks for the support.
DD

Cip in Baghdad

Good afternoon;

The picture is of the group that took the classes in D.C. with Cip.

Just heard from Cip. He made it safe to Baghdad. Waiting to meet at the Embassy in Baghdad.

I will try to keep you all updated.