Traveling

The past 4 or 5 days have seen me traveling around the area. First it was to Camp Alamo which is appropriately called as it sits within an Afghan base. Then I was at Camp Phoenix for a few days and then at ISAF HQ today.

The wind is still blowing and dust is everywhere. My q-tips are brown in the mornings and I am blowing or coughing the dust out all the time. At least during my travels I was able to eat "American" food. Rumor mill has it that in a month or two we will be getting the same food service provider for our chow hall as the American bases...I'll really have to walk then lest I grow fat (I've lost 19 lbs since arriving here).

Sand and the Green Spa

It seems right around the time we want to walk we end up getting sand blasted. A few nights now have been really bad…to the point you could see the sand blowing right at you and you had just enough time to make out the debris and get out of the way. Yesterday afternoon the sand storm was so bad for a few minutes that I couldn’t see the runway and was barely able to see the apron.

You have two choices here for a haircut. Your first is the Afghan barber in the Afghan market. Our other option is the Green Spa. So I go over to the Spa once a month for a trim as I really don’t trust any Afghan with a sharp object, read straight razor and scissors, around me. Some of people go and get a massage, pedicure, and or manicure. A few of the guys say the pedicure is really good and I should get one whenever I comment about sore feet. I just can’t see that happening. It’s bad enough I have to go to a “Spa” for a haircut.

I finally got pics of the DC-3 taking off here. That was good. The mail trucks getting blown up with IEDs today was bad.

Of Wind and the Smell of Muhj

Two things about this past week. Well actually three. The first was the Wind of 120 days has arrived in force. In fact we tried to walk tonight but the wind and sand clouds (choked with debris) that it brought forced us to stop after 1/2 a lap. I think it sandblasted some of the tan off my face and whitened my teeth.

The smell of the locals, number two, is horrible. Unfortunately one of the Afghan Army Liaison Officers came in our office this week about his badge (his sponsor should have come for more than one reason). Anyways he stunk up our whole office. We had to open windows (Blowing sand was a better option than his smell) and doors and let the smell drift out. Then they had a group flying out with the USMC (see pic), and outside even, their smell drifted over to us.

Then Third I guess the poppie harvest is over cause the action has picked up. We even got a present last night. About midnight the sirens went off. A young government worker who sleeps in our bay asked, "What is that?" I said, "Rockets." He put his helmet and vest on and I went back to sleep. Only because I know our building is supposedly built to protect us...guess I could have told him.

The pic of the fire happened across on the civilian side of the airport. I guess the Afghans haven't thought of getting an airport fire department because the military fire department had to respond. Cudos to the French hospital for sending ambulances across about 10 minutes after the fire department put it out. Not sure what was burning and don't think the ambulances were needed (good thing).

Kandahar

Kandahar has more than doubled in size over the past four years and now houses 30,000 troops. The "Boardwalk" has added stores and restaurants and sports activities. One thing that hasn't changed is the heat. It was 105 degrees when we were there with the worst to come in the next few months. And the flys...yuk...all over. I didn't get fat off the ice cream but the shirt sure makes me look like it. The truck even played music like a stateside ice cream truck would. This is a war zone?

Down in Kandahar

So we finally arrived in Kandahar about 7pm. We then sat on a bus for 10 minutes till it finally left the ramp to go to the other side of the airport. We were at the terminal for about an hour till they finally brought our bags. The first transient tents, right near everything, that they tried to put us in were full as well as dirty and nasty.

Since we hadn't eaten since lunch we went to TGI Fridays at the "Boardwalk." Yes you read the last sentence correctly...pictures to follow later. When it was my time to order I requested the "Tennessee Burger." Waiter said they were out of bacon so it would just be a cheeseburger...fine. Is your ice tea sweet? "Sir we are out of ice tea." OK, I'll just have water. "Sir, we are out of water." You don't have water!!! "No sir." OK (pointing to some pink lemonade thing in the menu) do you have that? "Yes sir." Fine, I'll take that. It was good but not worth the $20 (they include a 12% tip in the price of your already overpriced meal).

Went to new area away from everything, except flightline, and billeted in tent with cots, not bunk beds, and only two other guys in the tent. And as you see wifi.

Hard Work

So a couple of pictures of me hard at week and of the office. Right now I share an office space with the base Security Office. There is a work order in to have a wall put up down the left side of the picture. Of course you have to realize it took about 1 1/2 - 2 months to get the work order approved so who knows how long it will take to actually build it. We are talking NATO here.

Off to my old Afghan home of Kandahar tomorrow for a few days.

Driving Afghan Style

"Enjoyed" my first experience of actually driving a vehicle in Kabul today and not just being a passenger. Keep in mind there is no such thing as an Afghan drivers license. There is also a national sport called "Dodge the cars." Throw in the threat level and your nerves are a little shot by the time you are done driving. Oh, and if you are out driving at night that makes the whole experience even more...interesting.

Return to MeS

I was sent up to RC North once again. This time I packed enough clothes for an extra day or two which worked out well. I gorged myself on good American and German food while I was there.

Sadly while we were up there, nine Americans were killed back at our base. Let’s just say what the news puts out can often be far from truthful. Now they are actually looking at issuing us weapons, which is covered in our contract. Amazing what it takes for someone to look after the safety and well being of their employees. Of course we still have to purchase our own first aid kits.

Now that we are back, Cal and I have started our nightly walks again. Maybe I'll shed a few pounds while I'm here.