Usually the police escort us out of places -- not in. After an Iraqi police escort to the gates of the US military in the heart of Tuwaitha nuclear complex, our convoy came to a halt at the gates. Once they got over the tense moment this morning it was hurry up and wait until the big man arrived.
It got more surreal at that point...
The head of the US Military Centre for Health Promotion and Preventative Medicine, Lt Col Mark Malanson, agreed to take back the yellow cake we had found - didn't have much choice really. He's a radiation expert and he knows the deal with yellow cake, same as us and same as the locals.
So then Mike took a ride with the military and our camera and photo crew. Now the last time he was in a car with the US military he was on his way to jail! I did wonder momentarily if they would check their files and think, not this annoying little shite again!
We left them to it - and then on his return - the Lt Col had told Mike he agrees with us - the IAEA should do a full assessment and decontamination as soon as possible.
So it's not very often that Greenpeace and the US military are on the same side, but frankly I don't care who is on our side, so long as they get the job done and make the people safe.
The army boys came with us later to the house we found with the 10,000 times normal - it clearly wasn't in their plan and they came out in this heat without a bottle of water between them. Perched in the back of their Humvee in full armour gear - we gave them ice cold water from the back of our truck - didn't notice too many thank you's but hey - I guess we had given them a hell of a spook today.
I had a chat with Lt Col Mark before we left - I suggested to him we may be twins (clearly separated at birth though!) - his team is eight strong, as is ours - his team have been in Iraq for about a week, same as ours. But here we separate - his team haven't been out in the community, ours has. I suggested we spend more time together - he smiled but looked a little worried.
At the house we led them to the source - they confirmed our findings and removed it - I don't know if it was the harsh sun's refraction on the car windows or if my mind was playing tricks on me - am I really standing in the middle of Iraq protecting US army boys from the local kids?
Our radiation expert was a bit worried once they had lifted the source. All the boys in khaki were sitting in the humvee in that blokey, army way, legs spread, huge gun resting across their lap - getting the full dose right in the crotch - Rianne and I wondered if any of them wanted children in the future.
The children here right now are the ones that are of immediate concern - as we drove away to the customary cheers and waves I felt for the first time that they might have reason to cheer just that little louder -there is a little chink of progress…..a chance that we have raised our voice loudly enough to give them a future.
But I am realistic and a little cynical. Breaking the moment was helped by Mini Mo - he, Mike, Phillip and I are currently all huddled in our office, working furiously to get the news out. The aircon has crapped out again and the ceiling fan - fourth day running. We are all sweaty and smell and are being rude to each other, apart from Mo. " Fuck Betty Ford" he suddenly pronounces with his slight Swedish twang " I need a beer". Yep, we all agree - and one of the cameramen on location today is taking me for one later! It's been a hell of a day so far.