February 28, 2009 - My Room

These pictures are of mine and George’s room.

Standing on a chair in the hallway, looking over the wall.

The bed on the right is mine and the one on the left is George’s.

There’s about six feet between beds.

George has been here for awhile, so he has collected more stuff.

We’ll see how much less room we have after I have been here a couple months.

Not a lot going on right now, some down days here and there, but we definitely keep busy. The puppy, Fat Girl, has disappeared, we’re all concerned.

If she turns up, I’ll let you know.

February 24, 2009

This is a place called Koshi Valley.
Because it is well irrigated they have four seasons with the leaves changing in the fall. Should be beautiful.

Me in our ride.
Can’t really move that well because of all of the gear I wear.

This is one of the two puppies at camp.
Her name is Makhi which roughly translates to "Fat Girl".
Five (the adult dog pictured in the previous post) is pregnant, but this is not one of hers.

This is me with some of the Afghan Police, good guys.

Update February 21, 2009

The first picture is of some of the scenery on the way to the police station where I'll be doing most of my work.

The second is one of the Police vehicles at the PD.

The next is of a school in the compound where the PD is.

The next is a painting on the wall of the PD.

It's a pretty good rendition of the Country.

That should be good for today.

Working everyday, the Army guys I'm with are great, very motivated.

Hey kicking bird, there's a Lt here with your name.

Says he has family in RI. He's from Illinois.

Meet "Five" - February 19, 2009

Coming soon is a picture of one of our vehicles.. Its called a Cougar.
Weighs about 36,000lbs. Very cool.

The next one is the house dog, "Five".

She's a Lab mix.

Good dog, does not like Afghans. Barks when ever she sees one.

The last one is our common room, tv room, kitchen, meeting room ect, ect, ect.

You know the only thing I really don't like is the dirt.

Its everywhere, on everything.

There is snow and mud on the ground, so your boots get caked.

Impossible to clean. So that gets tracked everywhere.

I bought a rug for my room (photo to follow at a later time), for $15.

It helps but it also holds dirt you don't see.

They say summers are worse because they get don't get rain here...

so its dirt and dust for months.

The bed is comfortable and the food is good. The guys keep our common room stocked so if you don't want to walk to the mess hall (literally a quarter mile away) there is plenty here.

More to come...

An Afghan Snowman

Made by the guards with Steve's added accessories...

Friday, February 13, 2009

Hi all,
Snow here the last two days, really plays hell with communications.
Trying to keep busy, by cleaning my props.
Still in a holding pattern.

That's the Police practicing marching.

Later.

Hello, I'm back

Received my power cord today.

Many thanks to Pam for covering for me.

Things are good, still waiting to get to my post.

I do get to see more of the local scenery every day though. Very interesting.

Imagine the worst road conditions you can think of, then multiply that by 100.

Potholes, ruts, pavement, then dirt.

As far as the drivers, well let me put it this way,

you don't need a license here and vehicles do not have to be inspected.

Also there are no lanes, it's a free for all. Pass when you want...Fun.

This photo is of me wearing some of the local garb I picked up at the bazaar.

More to come.

Crafting in Afghanistan?

I must be rubbing off on him...some manly jewelry designs in the works!
Before Steve left for Afghanistan, when we were visiting him in Virginia, I went to an Army Surplus store and got him a huge spool of parachute cord...this is some of what he has done with it. Very crafty...manly bracelets.

I love his plain phone! No frills but it has kept us in touch and that is priceless.

In a recent email he mentioned completing an intense medic course that will certify them in (CLS) Combat Life Saving. I think they had to give each other IVs!

More soon...

February 4, 2009

Went on a field trip to go shopping.
Its not like going to Stop & Shop.
Full KIT, that means vests and guns, a vehicle full of guys...

On the way there

Playing with his gun

Rain/snow mix.

Pictures!!!

Hello all,

I am filling in for Steve until his computer is working again.

Here are some pictures he was able to send from his roommate's computer...

Pretty impressive landscape I think...
They are still training. They went to the range and shot today.

I think this picture is "so Steve"

This is their camp.

I LOVE this picture...it is Steves version of an Afghan fruit basket for his room! (He sure does like his fresh fruit!)

Very creative.

His room. He said that's just about how wide it is.

At the range.

The rolling box he had to ride in today to get to the range. He said about 15 guys with full gear were in there. Very uncomfortable. He couldn't sit up straight because the roof was too short.

His bed.

Outside their wall. He said at night this junkyard has an eerie glow with a light from behind.

The jet they arrived in Afghanistan on.

Just a cool picture of the mountains. I think it looks like a painting.

Hopefully he will be posting soon...but for now it's my pleasure to do it for him.