Days like these...gotta love 'em

I started today by running this morning...no running shoes or blue jeans have arrived yet.  If you're interested in sending some, please send an email to afghantim@gmail.com 

No rocket attacks so far tonight...just a nice hot night.

This morning after the run, I went to the 205th Corps meeting where they discuss all that's going on in Southern Afghanistan.  It was pretty interesting.  I was surprised at what I heard. The General in charge was talking about reducing speed on the base because they had 4 accidents with soldiers getting hurt, so he wanted it to stop. He also ordered all personnel to stop using their government vehicles to do personal errands to the store or to drive home in the evening...he told them the fuel is paid for to be used on official business.  He was also concerned about security and said that he, his chief of staff and deputy would be rotating to check on the guards to make sure they were searching things properly.  I was pretty surprised at his attitude...I expected less.  It was an interesting meeting to say the least.  I think I'll go at least once a week.  Sorry for the poor quality photo, but I didn't want to make a scene in the meeting...used my iphone since it doesn't look like a camera as much.

I spoke with ANA logistics Colonel today about the awards program and he is very excited about the helicopter rides and assured me he'd take care of any orders the Afghan Air Force (AAF) places...we'll see.  They're coming with two orders tomorrow.  It's kind of interesting to stand outside a process and know what's going on from both ends.  My friend that advises the AAF tells me what they are trying to do and I observe to see if it happens as it should.  

I spoke to my very reliable ANA ammo guy, the one with three fingers, and he was supposed to bring the paperwork for all the inventory of captured and issuable weapons in from his house...before you ask, I don't know why it's at his house...anyway, he forgot to bring it.  Then he tells me we can start the physical inventory in a few weeks...I told him in a few days.  It will only get hotter here and an inspection team is coming, so I want him to look his best...he's a good guy.

For the afternoon, I needed to catch up on paperwork, so I left my interpreter with instructions to teach 2 to 3 officers how to use email, scan, and the basics of the computer.  He spends about an hour a day doing that.  I'm hoping we will make some progress on the basics until we can get our computers ordered for the computer lab we're building.  

At lunch, I HAD to drive over to the bazaar to see if they had any runners I was looking for.  Unfortunately there were none I was interested in, but I did find this nice 'Four Season' carpet...he wanted $700...starting price of course, but that is just too much for a 5 foot x 7 foot carpet.  It's nice and soft, but it's made from Belgian wool and I really prefer the slightly rougher Afghan lamb's wool for durability.  I didn't buy or try to negotiate today.

When I was going to the shower, there were these three kittens (only two visible) underneath our living container in the place where forklift tines are supposed to go.  I guess it's much cooler in there when the sun is so hot.  When I came back from the shower, someone had left a bowl of water for them and some lunchmeat.  I'm good with that, since they keep the mice away...WHICH KEEP THE PIT VIPERS AWAY...most importantly.  Cute and cuddly with a purpose.

Here are the pictures from the 1960s of Afghanistan.  You can see a castle if you click on this one and blow it up.

Same with this one, if you click, you'll see the castle.

This bread is really good...of course this stuff is 40+ years old now, but you get what I mean.lol.  The bread is made from fresh ground flour not enriched (bad for you) like we use in the states for everything.

Nice shot of a village street.  No cars in the 1960s other than the UK one you see in some of the other pics.

I swear, if you walked into the cities today, you could find an exact duplicate of this picture.  Not much has changed.  In fact, I'd say in most ways Afghanistan was better in the old pics than in the new ones.  Of course we've made things better, but 30+ years of war takes it's toll on a country.

Today is typically my day off, but I'm in training...

I was in training all day for contracting oversight, which is important, but I'd rather have done other things.  Here was my view...

Today when walking around, thought you'd like to see what the Tim Hortons looked like here. It's on the corner of the boardwalk. I didn't capture the line, but it starts with the two people on the left that are next to the railing and is about 15 people long.

Here's a picture of the flags being down for a fallen soldier that arrived on base.  They'll remain that way until they depart...usually in a day or so.

While I was in class, the team was putting up tents in 108F/42C temperatures and piercing sun.  There's a total of four tents that'll be erected and 44 guards to live in them.  We still have to get the environmental control units before they can move in...just too darn hot without A/C, but they'd probably move in if allowed.

This a fence going up to enclose the tents and b-huts, so the interpreters can keep the wrong people out of their dining facility, showers, and toilets.

Here are some pictures from the 1960s of Afghanistan...

This is the remnants of an old mud brick fort...it's probably 100 years old or more.

Don't know what make car, but I'm guessing it's British.

This is an interesting shot...would like to see that in person.  Haven't seen anything quite like that since I've been here.

Okay, now this could've just as likely been taken today as in the 1960s.  Too funny...I guess like father like son. lol.

Contracting Trng Day 1 of 2...Ugh!

Rocket attacks today:  Two so far...pretty far away.

Today was a pretty boring day...I sat in a contracting class all day.  Tomorrow I have to do the same thing. When I went to lunch, I saw this little dust tornado sweeping across the walkway...pretty funny.  It went about 100 feet in the air.  It wasn't windy, so it seemed a little weird it'd generate one...I guess it's the heat.

On a bright side, I guess today is Canada's Birthday, so Tim Hortons was giving out free coffee all day and doughnuts (I just had coffee).  Kept me awake in the contracting class...these were my tools for the day.

Here are some old photos, to include the ones I couldn't post yesterday.  1960s photos of Afghanistan.

Taliban 0 for 2

Rocket count for the day so far is:  Three sirens and heard two booms.  Not very close as usual.

On my way to main base Kandahar today, I saw this crane turned over.  I guess the truck was backing into a ditch, but didn't look.  Kills me how careless they are with things.  It's so funny, because if you get them something brand new, they'll hide it away so it doesn't get damaged.  I don't understand.  Not sure if this belonged to a US contractor or military unit or private contractor.  By the time I came back through, there was military security all over and they had it turned back over.

Went running this morning with my one solid running Afghan partner.  Then got ready for a 7:30am meeting.  It's the first time anyone in my job has been to this meeting, so it should be interesting.  The biggest concern the ANA Major had was that I would say something.  He said they'll kill him if I say what I want to say...I promised him I'd sit quietly and observe during the first meeting to assess how it works or doesn't. When I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised to see a big screen...about 100" with a projector.  They were using Powerpoint in Dari.  There was also a video teleconference screen setup on the middle of the conference room table.  We sat there for about 15 minutes and then the meeting was cancelled.  I guess I'll try to catch the next one on Saturday.

Then today got interesting.  I went back to the logistics depot and we sat down for some chai.  We discussed inventory and helping the Afghan Air Force (AAF) with getting their parts ordered.  I brought 5 orders and showed them...of course we discovered, as the AAF told me, only 1 of the 5 had been ordered.  The others were not in the system.  The AAF logistics person happened to stroll through the door, so we asked him to bring the original documents for the 4 that weren't ordered and he said he would.  Once they originals show up, the guys at the logistics depot assured me they'd take care of them.  You'd think copies would be fine, but they insist they MUST have the original documents...not worth the fight (I did try for about 5 mins).  Fix that later after we get the process honed.

After that, a sergeant popped in and told the ANA Major (serving as commander temporarily) that he has a replacement coming from Kabul and that he's not waiting for the guy to get here...he's leaving tomorrow because Kabul told him they'd stop his pay if he doesn't get up there right now.  I usually don't get involved, but they weren't going to do anything about it.  I insisted we call the head ANA Colonel I know in Kabul to ask what's going on with the replacement and ask how this guy can leave.  We called the Colonel and he said the guy is ordered to stay there until his replacement comes.  Everyone was happy that we got the verbal order, but none of them would say a word while he was on the speakerphone...they were all scared to speak...I don't get it.  Then I insisted they call the ANA personnel office and finance to make sure all was okay with his pay and position...they did do that without me...although they did try to get me to do it.  They always try to butter me up by saying I'm their hammer and I can do anything...I always tell them only if they can't do it after trying.  It's frustrating to know the sergeant would have just taken off if I wouldn't have taken action.  When will they get it.  I'm happy that they were part of the process and did help...today had more of a team vibe to it...not there yet, but definitely better.  It was funny to see their face when I asked them for the Colonel's phone number in Kabul.  We all laughed about it later...no one was shot, fired, or stabbed, so it's all good.

Today, one thing really struck me.  When we were walking out of the office and we were all hugging and they do a forceful rocking back and forth hug so your hearts touch...that's what they say.  The guy I run with said I was his best friend and it seemed very genuine.

One thing I've learned about the Afghans I'm working with is that they don't like make decisions on things they're responsible for...they'd rather have someone else make the right or wrong decision.  When I was in Kabul one of the advisors told me this guy here doesn't need an advisor...he is so good he advises the advisor...then the Afghan said...we need advisors so we can blame them when it goes wrong...yes we all laughed, but it's pretty close to the truth.

Ok, now on to the 1960s pics of Afghanistan:

My upload cut out on me...I had more pics.  They'll have to wait until tomorrow.

Today was a good Tuesday

Here's my first picture of the morning.  I was driving to main base Kandahar and these kids were riding on top of the van.  The van was packed with probably 20 kids and 3 on top.

This morning I had to take my interpreter for a special interview to get his unescorted badge.  This took from 8:30am until lunch.  Immediately after the interview was done, I took my interpreter to Tim Hortons.  I asked him if he'd ever had an iced cappuccino.  He hadn't, so I got him one.  He loved it so much, that he was asking for another after lunch...too funny.  I like to make Tim Hortons addicts.

Luckily my lunch meeting was at noon and I could bring the interpreter along with me.  I met with the Afghan Air Force (AAF) US advisors to help setup the quarterly awards program.  The goal is to build a better relationship with the AAF and to reward the stand out Afghans.  I was successful in getting the helicopter incentive rides setup....yahooooo!!!! I think this will make a big difference in the soldiers' attitude and their attitude towards helping the AAF.  We will also set up the rides with pictures they get to keep...you know how they love to get pictures of themselves.  Now I can coordinate with the Afghan public affairs office to take the pics and put it in their monthly publication that goes throughout Afghanistan.  That means more pics they'll get to keep and being in the publication is the next best thing to being famous to these guys.

I guess this guy is on his way to build something.  Again, when Afghans want something done, they will use all means available to get it done.

Don't you hate those people that cut you off in traffic...like he can just drive wherever he wants....just because he has more guns and is bigger:)  These were Canadians, so I bet they were cutting in line to get over to Tim Hortons before the iced cappuccinos ran out. LOL.

You can't get away from it...here it is in Kandahar on the boardwalk...just a couple hundred meters from Tim Hortons.  At least it's a small reminder of home...not that we're fighting for chicken.  If you click on it, you might be able to see the prices.

Here's something that upset me.  We had a local national working in the interpreter's dining facility throw a rock at this armored vehicle.  I heard they were messing around and didn't think the rock would crack it, but it clearly did.  The glass will fracture, but won't penetrate.  This windshield will cost between $2,000 to $4,000 to replace.  Why in the heck would you throw rocks at our vehicle? Especially so hard you can crack glass over an inch thick.  Tomorrow I'm having a talk with the guy...don't care if he didn't mean to do it or not....just makes me angry with all we do to help!

Most people have to use basic safety at the office...don't cut yourself with the paper cutter or get paper cuts, but here's our desktop hazards...too funny.  Just a grenade and some .50 caliber rounds...don't mistake the grenade for a mouse:)

Today's temperature here was a chilly 105F/41C with tomorrow's forecast being the exact same.  Didn't feel too bad out.  It's a dry heat...I'll say that until we get to the 120s and 130s....then I don't know if it matters anymore...it's just hot.

Here are the 1960s circa photos:

Monday was alright for a Monday

This morning started out like all others...ran this morning with my Afghan friend, then to breakfast and a quick shower.  I had to meet my boss at 8:30 at the logistics depot, so I didn't want to be late.  Of course, the ANA Colonel was still out of town, so we had the Major in charge do the in-brief; unfortunately he hadn't practiced any of it in the past, so I briefed her along with my team...my team has been there longer, so they provided great insight.  We walked through the warehouse to show how things were setup and the tour went pretty well.

Next we walked to the other warehouse to see the rice, beans, salt and chai...of course there were a few mattresses stuck in here for a rainy day.  Like that's not normal :)  I don't know why they didn't just stack them to the ceiling?  Surely they could stack them 75 or more high :)  This is just a small portion of the mattresses we have...there are over 2,000.  A lot of the units don't want to issue them because the soldiers will steal them and take them home, so we just keep getting more and more and issuing very few.  Our boss now knows we don't really need mattresses.

Next we took her to see the collection of Russian weapons...I knew everyone would find it very interesting and they did.  Everyone got to pose for a picture holding a rocket launcher, sniper rifle, or anything they could pick up.  They had a good time with it and so did the Afghans.

Of course today it was 109F/43C and pretty dusty/windy out.  I'm getting used to the heat, because it didn't feel that bad today.

When the team headed back to the base for lunch, we were greeted by a line that stretched out the door.  We were told the line had been that way for 45 minutes, so some of the team decided to eat something in their room and I went to eat with the interpreters in their dining facility.  It wasn't too bad, but I was worried I'd get sick.  Their health standards are not the same...when you come in the door, there's a sink to wash (rinse) your hands, but no soap.  I guess my body has gotten used to the bacteria here.  They make flatbread called naan and it's good...no enriched flour here, so it's better for you.  I had beans/onions, beef, and a little rice.  I wanted to strangle my interpreter because he saw me eating the onions on my beans and after half way through the meal I asked if they ever got sick here and he said "yes, from the onions...that's why I don't eat them."  So don't tell me they don't wash the onions until after I ask about getting sick...I laughed on the outside, but was a little upset he didn't tell me before I started eating them.  Oh well, I didn't get sick so all is well.  Here's the food...

My plate...see the onions :)

After lunch, we had to go pay the person for the washing machines. It's funny to see the stacks of Afghan cash we give out.  We don't normally get to handle cash for the government, but whoever came up with that idea is a genius.  We've been able to accomplish 20 times more, since we have access to immediate cash in our safe.  Of course we have to manage it carefully and use it correctly, but it really helps speed things along.  Anyway, we now have 10 washing machines all hooked up on the concrete pad.  They all have locks on them and each hut is assigned a washer...with two for transients...they're all very happy.  They went from 2 washers for all of them to 0 washers when they broke for a week to 10 washers...all because we can use cash.  If we had ordered them in the supply system, they might not show up until November or later...for some peculiar reason, washers aren't a high priority :)

After taking care of the payment, we drove over to see the US Navy Seabees...they're a construction unit for those that don't know.  They arrived a few days ago to start building this adjacent base.  Here are some pics of them doing their thing.

First, here's me standing in the lunar like moon dust.  It is seriously like talcum powder.

Now the Seabees.

Now here are the 1960 era photos from Afghanistan....