Never been in a 'conflict zone' before, but I'll try anything once. I'm Mike an I've been coordinating Greenpeace International's work opposing the war in Iraq. So when the time came to send a team to Baghdad I was on the first plane to test the waters, to see if we can bring in a full team. I've been to many places in the world over the last decade and a half and have witnessed things that make me grateful for being born in 'bonnie Scotland'. Being in Baghdad has done nothing to shake that conviction. Until recently I'd no idea what a 'blog' was, so forgive my transgressions...
When will I ever learn? Early start, late night! Doh! Yesterday, the day before departure to Baghdad, we prepared our inventory, which included a lot of sophisticated equipment for communication and measuring radioactivity.
* 4 personal dosimeters
* 1 contamination monitor UMO 110
* 1 contamination monitor Rados Microcont
* 1 contamination monitor Berthold LB 122 including strontium calibration source (GPG Radi 2-1)
* Mini Monitor series 9000 with probe 44A (GPG Radi 2-3)
* 5 full face masks + 8 filters Reactor P3
* 1 GPS
* 3 Laptops
* 1 Mini-M Satellite Uplink Unit
* Various phone-like devices that actually are phones
My head full to spinning on a long day of 'how it all works' left me in a panic that I might end up typing notes on the Geiger counter, shouting into my GPS and sweeping for radioactivity with the Mini-M satellite phone.
A day packed with good intentions: but we blew our good intentions on several bottles of even better wine. I'll put it down to team building and experience, in the vain hope that next time I'll be as sensible as my 39 years dictate.
Flak jacket and wellies - radiation on the ground and bullets in the air. Don't know if I should jump or duck, maybe I should 'juck'. First time in a conflict zone, first time in a flak jacket (that I hope I never have to wear in earnest). If I wasn't nervous before, I am now.
So many thoughts swirling through my brain like a sand storm - one minute calm, the next a whirling Maelstrom of chaotic discord.
Flak jacket and wellies (does my bum look big in this?). First time in a conflict zone, why would I be leaving the beautiful city of Amsterdam in the summer for the hellish heat and danger of Baghdad, I begin to wonder.
Flak jacket and wellies, oh and don't forget your 'action pants'. A variation on the maternal mantra 'I hope you've got clean underwear on!' This is not out of any concern for personal hygiene but 'just in case you get in an accident.' Yup, when I hit A&E with a suture on a major artery I sure don't want to be worried about the doctor calling in his buddies and saying 'Hey take a look at the state of this guys pants.'
But still, I shouldn't be so dismissive. It has happened to me! I'm not confessing to wearing week old underwear. I my case there are no 'pants'. Never did get the hang of them, in more ways than one.
More than once I've been asked to strip and been forced to confess my negligence in the underwear department. Once on an action at the world's most powerful x-band radar, in the Marshall Islands, the North Pacific, I was arrested by the US police and told to strip. These guys don't handle nudity well, I thought I was going to get extra time for indecent exposure.
So before I left, I scoured my sock drawer, and found, lost and lonely, a couple of pairs of pants. So now I only have to worry about bullets and radiation - that's a relief. (We're wondering if we should include a picture with this part?)
Oh! I nearly forgot to say what the wellies are for. They aren't for braving the torrential middle east downpours. Sadly, it hasn't rained for months and is unlikely to for several more. Wellies are Wellington Boots. They are made of rubber, smooth and come up to your knees. Ideal for wandering through contaminated areas as they are easily washed clean of any particulate contamination. Lead would be better but a bit of a bugger to walk in, unless you're a deep sea diver.