Holy Water Buffalo, Batman!

I saw lots of water buffalo this week. They are raised for their milk, which is turned into yogurt and Gamer (a sweet cream cheese that is eaten with breakfast). There are about 150,000 water buffalo in Iraq.

These animals are larger than your average cow and have some nasty looking horns. I would not want to make one mad, but this kid seemed to think they were perfectly tame .

March Maddness

My version of March Madness is the fact that it could get up to 100 this week! These are not the temperatures that I am used to for the end of March.

Speaking of madness, I haven't seen a college game since January and I am still doing better than most of you in the tourney brackets. It just proves that it is better to be lucky than talented.

Trip To Baghdad

Here are some pics from my trip to Baghdad, I went for a Agriculture Conference but the best part was the trip there and back.

Here I am getting ready for the flight.

Here is some typical farm ground, you can see the extensive irrigation system.

Here is a large date palm orchard. There are some varieties of dates that only grow in Diyala province.

Here is a picture of the Tigris River running through Baghdad.

Fighting the Cough

Not much happened this week other than I am trying to fight off a nasty cough that I everyone gets while staying at my particular base. The doctor says there is not much I can do about it but they gave me meds to help with the cough. They say that this can last up to a month and you just have to let it run its course.

It is supposed to get into the mid 90s this week and it probably won’t cool down until November, but at least it’s a dry heat! I can't wait til it gets to 130 degrees!

Several Ag organizations have sprouted up in the province, one of the more progressive ones is the Diyala Beekeepers. Check out their website, it is in English and Arabic.
www.ciba-diyala.com

Posting Comments

I have heard that several people have had a difficult time posting comments. For you first time bloggers here is the easiest way to post a comment:

• Click on link that give the number of comments at the bottom of each of my updates.
• A new screen should open up showing all of the comments and a place for you to write a comment.
• Type your comment (Be sure to sign it at the end so I know who its from).
• Type in the security password exactly as it appears on the screen.
• Check the anonymous button.
• Click "Publish Your Comment".

If you have already been posting comments continue to do what you have done in the past.

I hope to hear from you soon!

My Address

My address is:

Ryan Brewster
PRT Civil Affairs
FOB War Horse
APO AE 09336

Home Sweet Home

I thought this week I would give you a tour of my new home. As you can see I am really going for that trailer park theme. You really can’t go wrong with the classic white aluminum siding, it just brings that extra touch of class to any neighborhood. The simple metal grate steps draw your eyes right up to the door without cluttering the view with gaudy details like hand rails. I am quite proud to say that the bag of trash is my doing. I just felt that the landscaping was missing something and the white bag brought everything together. I am looking for an older car or truck that I can put up on blocks, if anyone knows where I can get one, please let me know.

Now to the interior! I couldn’t believe it either, but yes that is genuine fake wood paneling. Furnishings crafted of the finest fiberboard available and absolutely beautiful European made florescent lighting, what more could a guy want. The handmade cardboard rug really defines the space and completes the room.

It is true that you surroundings influence your behavior, since moving in I have had the greatest urge to tear the sleeves off all my shirts, grow a mullet and start watching NASCAR!

In all seriousness, the housing here is not that bad. I have a roof over my head, electricity, hot water and most importantly an awesome air conditioner.