What would you suggest

**JayFilomena** · 3rd July 06, 10:26 AM

Here is my delima, and I will ask for your opinions. I work on a State Department contract. I can only work for 312 days a year. With the vacations I have taken so far I still have 15 days left. I have used my two free plane tickets home, so if I take another vacation, it will be out of my own pocket. My choices are:

A. Stay in my room for two weeks, and not leave Iraq nor go on any missions.

B. Stay in my room two days a week, for the next 7 weeks, and not go on any missions.

C. Go somewhere for two weeks, but if I do, I pay for it myself and if I go back to the US, I may lose my tax exempt status.

D. Leaving early is not an option. Contract requires that I be in Iraq when I end of mission.

So, if you had two weeks to kill and had been in Iraq for 5 months with out a break, where would you go? would you stay in your room or try to go somwhere? I really cant see back packing accross Scotland while the wife and four children are at home. I offered to take my wife somewhere, but she does not want to spend the money. We are saving for the coffee shop.

So let me know what you think would be a good use of my time off.

Jaybird

**Kilted KT** · 3rd July 06, 10:41 AM

go visit P1M at Ferintosh.....get a few drams in ya...

**davedove** · 3rd July 06, 10:47 AM

If you can possibly afford it, I would say to go somewhere. It doesn't have to be back to the US. Europe is just a short jump away from Iraq. Greece and Turkey are real close and there are lots of things to see there. I know you don't want to do anything without the wife, but it would still be a great opportunity.

If you can't afford it and have to stay in Iraq, I would recommend taking a couple of days off at a time, rather than two weeks straight. I don't imagine there is a whole lot to do there, and that's a long time to just sit around.

**cessna152towser** · 3rd July 06, 12:15 PM

The Greek part of Cyprus would be worth a visit. A beautiful island with a lot of history including a well preserved amphitheatre near Paphos. And the Troodos mountains have a climate and biology similar to Scotland - some splendid hillwalking trails and they even have a Caledonian Falls. If your wife can get a flight to Scotland or England from USA then there are low cost holiday flights from there to Cyprus and she could join you on the beaches. But avoid Nicosia - very heavily militarised with the NATO green line running across the city, and driving a hire car in Nicosia's traffic is highly nerve wracking.

**Rex_Tremende** · 3rd July 06, 03:31 PM

C!

Do not return to the US!

The tax break you get for your pay in a combat zone will more than pay for the trip you decide to take.

Regards,
Rex, ex military 'widow' in Cincinnati

er - now that I re-read your post, I see that you not exactly US uniformed services - and your contract is your contract. However, I still think the tax break is worth it.

**Livingston** · 7th July 06, 08:37 AM

I agree with DaveDove. Either a short trip to Europe or stay in the room 2 days a week planning the next kilt.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 7th July 06, 08:46 AM

You could always use those days off to sew your own kilt. Or if you want to go someplace, why not try to hook up with Bangkok Kilt?

**Mattg** · 7th July 06, 08:50 AM

As bad as it sounds...DON'T COME HOME!!

For the tax purpose of course. I would go somewhere! You've got a little freedom, use it! And above all....GO KILTED!!

**Kilted KT** · 7th July 06, 09:10 AM

want to have some real fun, grab a couple of buddies and hit a not-too-far off nightspot, all of you kilted. If the other guys don't have kilts and you have spares, let them see for themselves the benifits of kilts on the local fauna...and I'm sure you'll have a few converts on your hands!