It is winter in Baghdad

We have experienced a 100 degree drop over the past three months here in Baghdad. Last night it dipped to 34 degrees. Freezing in the desert. It just isn't right. I could accept the oppressive heat that greeted you at the door with a whallop, but I just don't know about this.

Last night I got together with a couple of other guys from Michigan to enjoy some Iraqi Chai tea and a good hour of conversation. It was one of those situations where the talk was all about what has been going on over the past week, but by the end it was all about how cold it was. We finally resolved that when we gather next week, there will have to be shelter.

Last week we met on a patio area behine the embassy complex. We were freezing then too, so we found some pallets, busted them up and build a nice fire. I felt like I was in the back yard, except i didn't have a bag of marshmellows or a hot dog roasting on a stick. It was still nice.

The Peruvians who provide our security are really beginning to not enjoy themsleves in the cold. They are bundled up like they are getting ready to go skiing. The area they guard is lit up with burn barrels with them gathered around keeping warm.

I guess being from Michigan the cold should not impact me, but the drastic shift has caught me off guard. So when I got back to my hooch last night, I dug into my ruck sack and pulled out my snivvel gear. Today I am prepared with a full set of long underwear which we call a "ninja suit" because it is solid black and looks really cool when that is all you have on. I also dug out my long desert colored parka and liner. These things were all at the bottom of my belongings, because when I arrived I could not concive that I would ever need them.

It is all good though. It helps with the Christmas spirit. Singing 'Jingle Bells' on a hot day just doesn't work. It is a song best sung when your breath shows.