Balad Travel Guide

It is special because it is the only game in town. If you want pizza you have to come here. It is all thick crust pizza too. Everyone who knows me well knows I like it cracker thin and crispy. This stuff is thick and chewy but in a pinch it will do.

Favorite Dish: The trip[le pepperoni. Pizza needs pork products as chicken and beef just dont have the correct flavors but there are no true pork products here because even though we are killing vast numbers of terrorists the Army is afriad we may cause some cultural dmagae by serving "Forbiddden" foods.

The PX serves as a distraction from the reality here. you can go in and wander the aisles looking at consumer goods and just for a few minutes you are back in the USA. I hear a lot of complaints about their prices but considering we are in a war zone I think they do a pretty good job. They run out of stuff sometimes but that is a logistical issue, not because they don't try.

What to buy: Snack food, MilSpec clothes, t-shorts, running shoes, electronics, DVDs, CDs, etc. Just about anything you need really.

What to pay: A little more than you might pay online but no shipping or taxes to factor in.

The quaintly named "Bazaar" sells a quite terribel selection of 'souvenirs,' all made in India and all overpriced. The prices are only to be expected when you are the only shop in town and must have all your goods sent via convoy from Kuwait. And when your clientele know no better. All the same, save your money unless you must have that souvenir brass camel or carved ashtray. The biggest rip-off are the carpets, which are not only expensive but are absolute garbage. But if you don't know polyster from silk, or cotton from wool, and must have a carpet, beauty is in the eye of the holder.

Unique Suggestions: Well, there is no bargaining, so you won't save any money. If you must buy something, the carved rosewood chests are the most unique item on the shelf.

Fun Alternatives: None. Nobody will stop you from leaving the base to wander the real bazaars of Iraq, but is your life worth the price of a trinket?

Favorite thing: Modern Wars require modern conveniences, so you will find a FedEx office to cater to your express mail needs during your stay at Camp Anaconda. Following the current fad of self preservation, the office is nicely protected from incovenient enemy fire by classic sandbags.

A standard envelope to the states starts at $31 as of November 2005.