Twenty-six Steps

Twenty-six steps down the jetway and I am on the ground in the Middle East. Two hour layover in Bahrain. In typical military fashion, we flew over Iraq to get here. Everyone is herded into a large tent aith a pop machine (Arab Coke), a snake machine (Arab Reeces), and 2 large fans. Bahrain hasn’t changed much since I was last here in 1997. I remember this is where I heard Princess Diana had died. In fact, it may have been in the very tent. It already seems so long ago since that dark blue Air Force pick up truck picked me up in front of the house. I’ve been traveling for 28 hours and 15minutes now. Will this trip ever end??