Comments for Interlude

Interlude

2007-02-24T06:28:08Z

Since I went and got all twisted around the axle with the Serial Thriller (nice touch, John -- if I'd started it with a bit about defoliating rice paddies, you'd prob'ly have christened it the Cereal Killer...), I must confess to being woefully neglectful of my social duties -- in this case, jumping all over the Obscene Amenities do-jiggers.

Besides, you guys all need a break from the humdrum drivel I've inflicted on you so far -- Lowered knows *I* do, especially since I've been giving myself flashbacks for the past week...

Soooo, without further ado, I'd just like to share a few pix that would probably cause paroxysms of conniptions to seize Citizen Arkin if he knew just how long us insolent sojer-types had been living La Vida Loca on the Public's Dime...

Fun! Travel! Adventure!

Al fresco interaction with the locals!

Yes, one partygoer *is* wearing a flight helmet and flak jacket and no, it’s not me. At least, I'm pretty sure it's not me...

Doorstep service from home to work! Aka, looking for the lads who popped green smoke in the middle of a green rice paddy...

Yeah, we flew with the doors off a *lot*, because we were environmentally conscious even then. We saved a bundle by running the 48-foot fan instead of the air conditioner...

What oil crisis? We got free fuel! And it was all self-service, so you never sullied yourself by inadvertent contact with the gravel crunchers.

If you were baddy from the paddy and met a Charlie-model at work, this was the view you desperately wanted to live long enough to see -- but you usually didn't...

*urrk!* Wellll, kids, I feel another flashback coming to visit my combat-addled cerebral cortex. 'Scuse me while I go wrap some fish with the NYT...

Comment from BillT on 2007-02-25

2007-02-25T06:18:53Z

Sanger - Actually, the guy with the blooper *is* birdwatching. He's watching the shot-down Hubird settle into the mud... He's also pulling security for the two erstwhile airmobility proponents who are up to their elbows in rice paddy slogging to the paddy dike ("Been there, done that, got the T-shirt, the mug and the plaque."). Don't try mud-slogging at home, kids -- leave it to us trained professionals...

Comment from J.M. Heinrichs on 2007-02-24

2007-02-25T01:47:50Z

Sanger Birdwatching. The chap with the binos has probably just spotted a black great horned lyre bird. which some have mistaken for a water buffalo. Due to their viscious temperment and propensity for unprovoked assaults, it was recommended that birders be well armed at such times. Cheers

Comment from SangerM on 2007-02-24

2007-02-24T23:46:41Z

Bill, what weapon is the squating guy on the berm carryin in the top picture. M79? Thompson? And what are they doing? Pulling up wires or planting things? That is really an odd looking activity.... Great pics though. Can we puleeeze have the rest of the story now...?

Comment from Old Fat Sailor on 2007-02-24

2007-02-24T22:25:44Z

Ca Mau, Now there was a bad place...

Comment from BillT on 2007-02-24

2007-02-24T20:40:09Z

Nope -- Phouc Vinh. But that's what almost *every*where looked like during the dry season -- Vinh Long, Ca Mau, Vi Thanh, Chi Lang, Moc Hoa... Not Soc Trang or Can Tho, though -- no bunkers in sight.

Comment from Old Fat Sailorr on 2007-02-24

2007-02-24T18:11:05Z

aathat last shot kinda looked like Tra Cu??