Dec. 30th and still no flight for tomorrow.  This is breathtaking- I can take that flight with a unit redeploying, and then pay my own airfare to get to Ft. Benning from wherever they land.  Can you imagine???

However, we had an amazing day today and I'm only sorry that I won't remember every little detail.  Had a quick breakfast and then had my eyebrows threaded.  From 9:45-10:30 I checked and responded to 10 emails on the excruciatingly slow AKO system.

A quick shower, then I treated myself and SFC Cohen to 30 minute back, neck and shoulder massages at the PX Spa.  Quick lunch, then we boarded a bus to Camp Arifjan, which is the big theatre staging ground about 30 km from here.  We were going just for him to see the place.

We checked in at the chapel and made two phone calls- to the Rabbi, Henry Sousan, who is assigned there, and to our HQ, ARCENTCOM.  Made a quick stop by the latter to say hi, and arranged to meet Ch. S. at 1700. 

In between I bought myself a lovely 21 carat (?- that's what the bill says) gold bangle bracelet to match the earrings I bought here years ago and the ring I bought many years ago in Korea.

Met the Rabbi- incredibly interesting and charming gentleman.  Not sure how the U.S. Army is lucky enough to have him.  He grew up in Germany where his father and brother are both rabbis, and has a wife in medical school in England.  He showed us his Khanukka photos, and amazing photos of tashlikh on the beach in Kuwait.

He was with two members of the Jewish congregation here, and, as our SPC T. had rightly observed, when Jews get together the conversation soars.  Meanwhile, the CPT who was with him saw me and shouted, "You were here LAST time I was at Arifjan!"

We talked about growing up in Germany and what that was like- he was in Freiburg and more in a French than German environment.  He was recruited to the Army by the fabulous retired Rabbi/Chaplain Ken Leinwand, who wrote me the Officer Evaluation Report that got me promoted to  COL.  I learned that Ken is now a rabbi in Holland.

When I was here last time I adored the lady who sells Persian rugs at the mall, and stopped in to say hi to her.  It was a very warm reunion.  At the time she had a daughter studying at the U. of A., whom I called when I got back to the States.  (Want/Need quality rugs- sarvnaz@hotmail.com- Nazi is her name.

We had such an interesting conversation with her.  She showed photos of her 3 daughters, and SFC Cohen commented- "I'll take that one."  We reminded him that he is in a place where a second wife is not outside the realm of possibility.

Nazi said, though, that the contemporary generation of Kuwaiti women would never put up with such a thing, and that the Kuwaiti men tend to marry women from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other Gulf states.  It was amazing to hear her casually refer to a friend as "a princess"- like- for real!

Oh- and the Jewish CPT described in lavish detail the weekly dimaniya he attends with his local Kuwaiti contacts.  It's every Wed. night and the only females present are American.  He enjoys fabulous food and great relationships with Emirs, Princes and Sheikhs, and they are aware tht he is Jewish.  Unfortunately they are not meeting tomorrow night due to New Year's Eve.

After a quick dinner, we went back to the chapel area to smoke the best cigars I have.  The chaplain assistant happened to come by, and happened to mention that they are going in to Kuwait City tomorrow on a humanitarian mission, and I asked if SFC Cohen could join them.  

When we got back to Arifjan I found out that I do not have a flight tomorrow, so I'll go too!  We have to wear civilian clothes, of which I have none, but SFC Cohen thinks he has some extras.  (He's about 5'6" and 135 lbs. so that should work perfectly!)

Not quite sure about this getting home thing. . . . More later.