1st. Lt. Stephanie Melton - October 2, 2009
1LT Stephanie Melton
551 MP CO
FOB Prosperity
APO AE 09348
October 2, 2009
The missiles that hit the palace were shot from sea, hundreds of miles away, and hit dead center at the very tip top of the dome! It's amazing to think about, that kind of accuracy. The amazing thing too is that all the chairs and tables were set up in the ballroom when it hit, like it was just waiting for the next party. Even the curtains matching the shade of the stone were up. In the lobby leading into the dome there are four mirrors in each cardinal direction. You can see they had something frosted on the glass but they're too broken to tell what it was. Around the edge of the ceiling around the room are beaten brass-looking sheets and crystal-looking beads loop down form them. Most of them are missing and the metal is discolored but it's all there.
The funny thing about Iraqi construction is it's all about appearence. Everything is made to look exspensive and rare but it's all fake. The beads are all plastic and the metal isn't brass. Some ceilings in the palace have what looks like tile inlay but it's actually vinyl squares with vinyl chips laid in a tile pattern. Squares fall down out of the ceiling all the time. Beneath the marble is crumbly concrete and chicken wire. The chandeliers that are left are made out of gold color beaten metal and fake crystal beads.
Sadam made every attempt to look rich and exclusive but it was all a front. A lot of the Iraqis are like that, all about face and not about substance.
Still, most of the time I just enjoy the outward beauty of the palace. And I do like the date trees, they lend a tropical air to the place ;) Mama I need another box. Could I get another bag of the same Starbucks, a box of splenda, some candy(!), some twinkies (!), rewritable CDs (at least 10 please), some Oxyclean, etc. My IOTV (body armor) has side plates that sit right on my hips and bruise me something awful.
The less that has to sit on my hip the better. I've been losing weight pretty steady and I've been doing some biking on the stationary bike. I'm up to 10 miles. it's nice because I can get on and read a book for a while and before I know it I'm done.
Well I miss you bunches but I'm having a pretty good time. I miss the little things from home. I'll teach you Arabic when I come back.
Rajaa'an iktibli. Maa s-salaama (write to me. goodbye)
All my Love,
Stephanie
