| Early July I left York bound for Baghdad on a sunny summer's day on 1st July. Little did I know then that the journey would become an epic. We slept in temporary accommodation in three different countries over the next three days, finally flying into Baghdad from Basrah on the 4th July. It occurred to me that travelling across Iraq on American Independence Day was particularly unwise. However, even though I was apprehensive, I felt relieved to have reached my destination.  | | American tanks prepare for the long drive to Kuwait after several months in Baghdad. |
The shock of the climate is very difficult to describe. When I stepped off the plane in Basrah after my flight from Cyprus, carrying body armour, rucksack and helmet, it was as if I had been dropped into a wind tunnel. Only the wind was being driven by a dozen high-powered hairdryers, all pointing at my face and intent on blowing me over. It was an instant reminder that my life would be very different for a while.  | | Ade's room in the 'Green Zone'. |
Like soldiers the world over all I wanted to do was to find my bed space. In fact the accommodation and general living conditions were better than I had imagined them to be. My room is a twin although I am alone. It's roomy, with a wardrobe, bedside locker and an easy fold away chair. And it is air conditioned. I soon stuck pictures to the walls of my family and made myself as comfortable as conditions would allow. My soldiers were based in three different locations in Iraq: in Shaibah, Basrah and Baghdad. As well as doing my job in the capital, I would also need to visit the other guys elsewhere.  | | Basrah International Airport. The plastic chairs add a touch of unreality to the existing decoration. |
That day, after being in transit for 90 hours, I sat back on my bed and reflected on my situation. The next four months would certainly be the most challenging of my career so far. I unpacked, phoned home and prepared myself for whatever Baghdad had to throw at me. |
