Connected at the hip....

Above: The entrance to my wonderful dwelling!

I am slowly settling into Camp Buehring and after being here only a little over a week, it is really starting to feel like home! The roommate dilemma has been taken care of and now I am living it up in my new digs on the other side of the Camp. That's right... I have been moved to a trailer where I get to enjoy half of it all to myself. I have my own entrance and share a bathroom with the female that lives on the other side of the trailer. Now, I refer to her as "the female," only because I have yet to meet her. From my understanding, she is another contractor that has a place out in town, as well as 1/2 my trailer. So, in the last 3 nights-- I have yet to see her. Not too bad... it's like night and day from what I was putting up with from the AAFFES girls! Don't worry, I will have pictures to come, I promise!

Above: Some poor guy walking by that I used to prove my point-- oh, another thing... I only see people dressed in camouflage or in PT gear!

So, now on to what I really wanted to cover. One of the many things here that has absolutely amazed me is the fact that a soldier's weapon REALLY becomes part of his or her body. Now, I know this sounds crazy-- but I am not exaggerating in any way. Where ever that soldier goes, his weapon goes with him. That's right, breakfast, lunch and dinner, that darn weapon is right by their side. If you need something to snuggle with at night-- it's cool, you've got your gun! Or, need to use the bathroom... don't worry you're not going alone, you have your lovely M-16 to keep you company! During my first time at the gym I wasn't sure what to think... everyone had their weapons slung over their shoulder as they were curling dumbbells-- honestly one of the oddest things I have seen. The best part is, the soldiers don't even act like they are a bother to them. Personally, I am not sure how I would handle carrying around a bulky, awkward, heavy object that was roughly the length of a yard stick and that was very unforgiving if it clocked you the wrong way. Then again, if I knew that it would save my life-- I would have no problem lugging that bad boy around. I guess it is just one of those things that you just don't see normally and I am sure I will get use to it.