WYCD GRUNWALD’S OPERATION YELLOW RIBBON Blog # 2 I am feeling just like I’m a US Marine. I can tell you getting here was not fun and I am still not where I am supposed to be yet awaiting official orders. It’s Sunday and I am stuck in Kuwait. I am at an Air Force Base, you know one of those places that doesn’t exist on paper nor is it acknowledged by any of the governments. More on that in a minute. My flights From the US and Europe were long and I have only slept a few hours here and there since Friday. I am very tired and I admit a little stressed out. When I arrived in Kuwait I was the only one to get off the plane here. I guess Kuwait is not exactly a tourist attraction this time of year! I was on a commercial flight that had 35 people on it. As I walked down the gate I expected people there from the Army or Navy to meet me. NOPE! It was 1:30am so I found my way to customs and still no one. Needless to say I started to sweat and get a bit nervous. It was like trying to get backstage at Rascal Flatts! The airport was empty and I was told the military would get my visa and get me the right paperwork when I arrived and not to worry. So I am trying to explain to the soldiers from Kuwait I don’t have a visa or a military card. This was fun since they didn’t speak English nor do I speak Arabic. I found the Visa desk and after 45 min I was all set. After I got the right papers still no one to meet me and now I was really getting worried. Clearing customs in Kuwait was as simple as me walking to the office and the guy saying ok. “GO”. Sounds good to me. After another hour of walking around and not knowing what to do or who to call finally someone grabbed me. Its seems some rich prince wanted to drag race his Lamborghinis in town (I’m not kidding) and the police shut the road off so they could race! Maybe NASCAR should look at the track here! Shake and Bake! My escort that was supposed to meet me from the US Army was held up in this traffic jam from the race. I wish I was kidding but I am not. Lesson #1. Appreciate what you have at home because it’s much more difficult traveling outside the US. I can’t wait to fly Northwest…it’s so much easier! And next time get I’ll get phone numbers…They don’t call it Ku “Wait” for nothing. I am feeling just like I’m a US Marine. I can tell you getting here was not fun and I am still not where I am supposed to be yet awaiting official orders. It’s Sunday and I am stuck in Kuwait. I am at an Air Force Base, you know one of those places that doesn’t exist on paper nor is it acknowledged by any of the governments. More on that in a minute. My flights From the US and Europe were long and I have only slept a few hours here and there since Friday. I am very tired and I admit a little stressed out. When I arrived in Kuwait I was the only one to get off the plane here. I guess Kuwait is not exactly a tourist attraction this time of year! I was on a commercial flight that had 35 people on it. As I walked down the gate I expected people there from the Army or Navy to meet me. NOPE! It was 1:30am so I found my way to customs and still no one. Needless to say I started to sweat and get a bit nervous. It was like trying to get backstage at Rascal Flatts! The airport was empty and I was told the military would get my visa and get me the right paperwork when I arrived and not to worry. So I am trying to explain to the soldiers from Kuwait I don’t have a visa or a military card. This was fun since they didn’t speak English nor do I speak Arabic. I found the Visa desk and after 45 min I was all set. After I got the right papers still no one to meet me and now I was really getting worried. Clearing customs in Kuwait was as simple as me walking to the office and the guy saying ok. “GO”. Sounds good to me. After another hour of walking around and not knowing what to do or who to call finally someone grabbed me. Its seems some rich prince wanted to drag race his Lamborghinis in town (I’m not kidding) and the police shut the road off so they could race! Maybe NASCAR should look at the track here! Shake and Bake! My escort that was supposed to meet me from the US Army was held up in this traffic jam from the race. I wish I was kidding but I am not. Lesson #1. Appreciate what you have at home because it’s much more difficult traveling outside the US. I can’t wait to fly Northwest…it’s so much easier! And next time get I’ll get phone numbers…They don’t call it Ku “Wait” for nothing. I get up and go to get my passport AND……Its not back. To make matters worse no one even took it yet to get processed. UGHHHHHHH. One flight to Baghdad today and it’s in an hour. Bad news is my passport is expected to be back in 4-5 more hours. So looks like I am stuck here another day. There’s not much you can do . I am supposed to be landing now in Baghdad as I write this and meeting up with my contact from the Navy. I don’t think I can call directory assistance for the Green Zone in Iraq and let them know I am going to be late. Maybe I will go and walk around now for a bit and try to blend in. HA HA. I am the only guy with Reeboks and not carrying an M-16. More later. Bye

Take Care Grunwald....

Well I quess they couldn't make it easy for you-but I'm sure it will be so rewarding to see our boys from home and get just a little taste of what they have to endure. Your in all our prayers here at home-take care and God Bless Denise

Man that sucks Grunwald. You are in our prayers

...and we are praying...stay safe,ann

Bless you for doing this for our troops, Take care and come home safe. Bless you, Debbie

Bless you and godspeed.

Bless you and godspeed. Kay

Thank you for reminding us of what we have here, our troops have sacrificed so much when they go over. Your blogs remind us of that. Come back safe. Paula

Grunwald, I'm so proud of what you are doing. It is very brave. Be safe and God bless you as you travel. Can't wait to see you when you return. Luoto :)

Bless you for what you are doing.

What an experience, I'm sure your feeling how scared those guys are yet they do their jobs to the best of the training they have.

thanks so much you are the man

thank you and god bless

What you are doing is so wonderful. I wish you a very very safe tour and return home!!

Geeze Grunwald, sounds like your livng the "high" life now. I hope everything goes well... Stay safe

May God bless you and keep you safe

God's Speed, Don't forget to kiss the greatest land on earth!!!

I think it a great thing your doing,it builds moral for our troops. Be safe and return home in one piece,GOD BLESS,US NAVY VETERAN SEAL/UDT

my, husband in mosoul. and I was wondering If you are going up that way. take care and be safe. thankyou for what you are doing. i take my kids to school in the morning. and I way to work I listen to radio to hear the updates on your trip. thankyou for caring about the son, the father , the husbands