30 Days in Iraq

16 Dec 2007

Well, now we are in the 10 day window before Christmas and it’s a great time for personal reflection, both religiously and about the time that I am here. Today, the 16th of December, marks 30 days in the country of Iraq. I have to admit, that the time here so far has gone by pretty quickly. The days fly by because every moment is marked out for me by a patient schedule. If I’m not seeing patients, I’m at the gym or running the perimeter loop around the FOB, eating or sleeping.

Since my arrival I have continued to grow in my understanding of the religion I believe in. Though my mentor is of another denomination, he has a significant insight into the writing of the Bible and has helped me understand what I am practicing when I go to Church.

I have also started running again. For a while I was mentally hurting to get back “on the road”. I started running with my friend Theresa, and we have slowly incorporated our Dentist friend, Michelle, into our thrice weekly runs. I personally go to the gym between and before those runs and today, started running a more relaxed, but longer run on Sunday mornings with another new friend, Jose and some of his friends. I haven’t run in a group like this since High School Cross Country, but I really enjoy the camaraderie in the run.

The perimeter is just what you think it is, a loop just inside the outermost reaches of the FOB. The only thing between me and the wild frontier is a 15 foot tall, 18 inch thick concrete barrier, and the air around me. From start to finish (based on GPS), the loop is 4.2 miles. That is the extent of our establishment here in Iraq. Think about that the next time you are out and feel confined to your city or area. If you live in or have visited Louisville, KY, you can put it in this perspective… Iroquois Park’s bridle path is about 4.5 miles with all its twists and turns. That makes the land that is Iroquois Park, the land that I will live, and exercise on for the next 14 months. And a lot of this FOB you can’t trek across for one reason or another. I don’t think I’ll complain too much about having to run Iroquois Park anymore, because I can at least leave the park when I’m done.

In any case, tying religion to running…. Many people will equate running to a small religious experience. I join that group. When I go out running, I can monitor myself mentally and physically (i.e. I need more rest b/c this usually easy run is hurting, etc), or clear my head, think about the wonders of the world around me as well as thank the Lord for blessing me with the ability to enjoy the life and land that he has put forth in front of me. Today, other than running past the firing range, sewage pond, and guard towers, I almost (ALM OST) forgot that I was running in a war zone. Even though the sunrise tried to trick me, because the way it warmed up the sky was still beautiful.

As I ramble on and on about running here, I veer from any point that I was trying to make. That would be, 1 month down, 14 to go.

Your support from home has been awesome. I hope that letters and responses to my emails and postings keep coming in. They help pass the time here just as well as running and they definitely help keep my mind occupied from the loneliness that is this island in the desert.

Please, if you have questions or anything, I highly recommend you let me know. Give me topics to write about. I’ll even post pictures with my answer when appropriate.
Until then… be well and Happy Holidays.