Families may wonder what keeps the Mungadai busy when we are not advising our INP counterparts. First, there is one activity that all Mungadai participate in, drinking chai (aka tea) with our counterparts. Iraqis posses a craving for the beverage on the scale of an addiction, and the chai is as sweet as you can find in an Georgia roadside dinner. No matter the time of day or location Mungadai can be certain that chai will be served. In fact, the Mungadai are so concerned with the sugar content of the chai (1 part chai to 2 parts sugar) that we are certain that we will have diabetes when we redeploy.
One Mungadai has kept himself busy by modifying every piece of equipment that can be taken apart. Max Wood has the uncanny ability to look at a perfectly functional piece of Army equipment and find a way to "make it better". He is constantly taking something apart and modifying to the "Max". Unfortunately, when he is finished, the equipment is generally held together with zip ties and a couple rolls of duct tape. For the record, Max Wood is not allowed near my truck for fear of "modifications". In addition to equipment modifications, Max Wood has completed a number of barracks improvement projects. He has built most of the furniture for our rooms and has roped in The Marlboro Man and Wheels to help him. Max Wood's biggest triumph was putting in a light over the steps that lead into our barracks.
One Mungadai has kept himself busy by modifying every piece of equipment that can be taken apart. Max Wood has the uncanny ability to look at a perfectly functional piece of Army equipment and find a way to "make it better". He is constantly taking something apart and modifying to the "Max". Unfortunately, when he is finished, the equipment is generally held together with zip ties and a couple rolls of duct tape. For the record, Max Wood is not allowed near my truck for fear of "modifications". In addition to equipment modifications, Max Wood has completed a number of barracks improvement projects. He has built most of the furniture for our rooms and has roped in The Marlboro Man and Wheels to help him. Max Wood's biggest triumph was putting in a light over the steps that lead into our barracks.
The game "Bones" or Dominoes is a nightly event for some of the Mungadai. The primary players are Top, Wheels, Max Wood (when he isn't taking something apart), Buddha, and the Kid. I for one do not know how to play "Bones" but if I decide to learn I know who I will not ask to teach me. According to the score board Buddha has yet to win a single game. I feel confident that a win is in his future.
Of course the most important pastime is keeping in touch with our loved ones at home. We speak often of our families and share gifts sent to us from home. We all thank you for your support and taking care of the home front.
I love you babe...
ReplyDeleteYour chai sounds more like liquid crack. You fellas be careful. All of us at home don't want you strung out on that stuff! Sugar gets expensive. Seriously, though. It's really good to know that you all are okay. It makes dealing with the whole deployment much better. Stay safe and Happy Holidays.
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