Guantanamo: My Journey

I had approximately reached my vacation spot, yet I knew the genuine hassle may start upon arrival. thankfully, that doubtful destiny was once cleared up by way of the younger guy I sat subsequent to at the aircraft, an Albanian returning domestic after operating in Greece. He was once in a position to communicate barely enough English for us to speak. He requested why i used to be traveling to his nation. I responded that my goal was once to safe a resort room and locate the KLA. He advised me to omit the lodge – i might be welcome to stick at his mother’s with him – and that he himself could take me to the KLA. i used to be suspicious. I requested him instantly out if he deliberate to kill me and take my cash. He laughed and produced his pockets, showing more cash than I had. happy, I authorised. The Tiranë airport got here into view, its runways coated with US army undefined. As we descended i spotted airborne Apache helicopters now not faraway from the aircraft. We landed and the younger guy took my suitcase and brought it right into a ready taxi. We travelled to Durrës, a coastal urban. His kinfolk was once stunning and inviting. We spent numerous nights with them and, real to his notice, we wandered the streets through the day whereas he accrued details at the KLA. This led us to varied destinations and cafes. at the 3rd or fourth day, we arrived at a cafe that the KLA have been utilizing. I spoke to a commander, who jotted down my info after which took my passport for safekeeping, explaining i'd get it again whilst I had accomplished with the KLA. This used to be usual regimen, and that i felt cozy and relied on the contract. We had a meal and boarded a bus, which was once stuffed to capability, and drove to a close-by seashore condominium. all of the humans at this situation have been the KLA’s new recruits. 3 times an afternoon we might all climb into the bus, commute to an analogous eating place, consume our food after which go back to the seashore apartment. there have been Germans, French and Italian electorate during this crew. a few of them had arrived separately, like me, whereas others had are available teams. such a lot had travelled via ferry from Italy. The younger guy who had befriended me stated so long, having fulfilled his responsibility. I gave him part the money I had and, with a wave over his shoulder, I watched him disappear into the crowded streets. each few hours our numbers elevated till there have been adequate people to fill buses. We have been then advised that we might go away the town and trip to a coaching camp close to the border. the subsequent degree of the journey had began. WE TRAVELLED via a massive GORGE, skirted the sting of an offended, fast-flowing river and drove within the shadows of rugged mountains. We handed a tremendous dam, between different man-made and usual wonders. Cement domes with slitted home windows dotted the nation-state within the hundreds of thousands, and that i was once trained that those buildings served as bunkers within the occasion of a conflict. The bus got here to an eventual halt in a space thick with common plants, and we have been informed to disembark. We rapidly assembled at the facet of the line in disorderly strains. A stony, airborne dirt and dust course wound its approach via a gate and down right into a valley, and we have been informed to march during this path.