Car Bombs

It was a tense and frightening morning yesterday at the compound. Everyone was amidst their normal activities when a huge explosion went off that shook the building on its foundation. We all scrambled to put on our body armor, grabbed our weapons and moved to the middle of the building for safety. Then about a minute later there was another large explosion causing the ground to rumble like an earthquake. Some of the Iraqi workers went up on the roof to see what was happening and reported seeing thick billowing smoke in the distance. Needless to say, classes for the soldiers were put on hold for the morning while the threat level was clarified. Amazingly the patients were not shook up about the explosion and started playing cards and video games to pass the time. As a newcomer, I was probably the most uneasy about the situation. Soon we discovered that 2 car bombs, known as Vehicle Born Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs), exploded near the green zone.

My unit stayed on alert until later in the day, requiring us to eat Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) at the compound rather than go to the palace for lunch. Finally we were given the all clear from the commander and went to the palace for dinner. Now we are having issues with a dwindling supply of bottled water available. Currently it is unclear if this is due to poor planning on the part of my unit, or actual problems with getting water throughout the International Zone. Whatever the reason, we are rationing our bottled water at this point. Luckily the weather is cooperating and it isn't nearly as hot outside today as it has been over the past week. It actually looks like we might get some rain! I don't want to get my hopes up to high because I have been tricked before by Iraqi storm clouds that never seem to produce any rain.

Heidi