Lunch with ANA Colonel

Rocket status: none today.

Today was standard type stuff, but we did arrange a luncheon with our ANA Colonel and the Afghan Air Force Colonel...we got them pizza and then had coffee with them. The meeting was a first step to open dialogue.

The colonel is still working on his pizza eating technique...LOL. He said it was delicious.



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Day off

Rocket status: none tonight.

Nothing going on today...just packing and mailing.

I did sell my MacBook this morning...now I'm 100% on my iPad.


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Couple Interesting Photos

Rocket Status: None tonight, but one heck of a sudden sand storm.

The sand storm is so intense I can't see 20 feet and it's blocked out light 100 feet away.  It's penetrating the small unsealed areas of my room and I can smell the dust and taste it.  This is the worst sand storm I've been in, since I've been in the middle east area.  Felt like the winds were gusting to 80 mph or more.  Glad I'm not outside...feel sorry for the guards.  I guess this is why we get those goggles they issue us... :)

Nothing too special today, but when I went to main base KAF to take my replacement to a training class, I spotted these vehicles with special emblems on them...too funny.

Something tells me that's not a real Chevy...LOL.

And this is surely not a Cadillac...where did they get that giant emblem?

Getting closer to home

Rocket status:  None tonight.

This morning we met with the base contractors that were working on our generators.  These guys have bent over backwards to help us every time we needed it.  They've been working really hard to get our new generators up and running...we help by getting special parts that are hard to find, so they can make the connections, but they do all the physical part.  These guys work 12-18 hours a day and never get a day off and are on call 24 hours a day...I know they get paid, but they do it with heart...nice to see.

The ANA Colonel was walking around when we showed up this morning, so we talked about all the progress his guys were making in every area.  He was very pleased that everyone was so busy.  The warehouse, containers, weapons, and ammunition are now inventoried and organized...which is quite a feat considering we/they did it in about 30 days.  We also got the computer classroom up and running as well.

The Colonel had to run to the bank in downtown Kandahar, so we took the opportunity to go over to main base KAF to do another meet and greet and take care of some administrative paperwork.  My replacement also got a hair cut and I looked at carpets...of course I'd never buy another :)

Our main group of people we work with had a group pic today, so at 3pm we had to be back for that.  Immediately following, the US Army Colonel wanted to go to the Logistics Depot to see all that we'd done with the ANA.  He was pretty happy and presented me with a command coin in appreciation of my efforts.

I really need to start packing...time is running out and I haven't mailed a thing...gotta get busy.

Computer work, mentoring, & transitioning

Rocket attack: none tonight.

Today was computer work until 10:30am and sitting with the ANA Colonel until a little after 12:00pm, lunch, then over to main base KAF to introduce my replacement to other people and do some running around to get some much needed parts for our generator...no power is not much fun.

When I was sitting with the Colonel, I asked him what he dreams about. He told me that he doesn't dream of being a Colonel or General, but of living in a peaceful place and to have it like the USA, Europe and other countries...a place where tourist could come with their families and would want to come with their families. He also wants to see his family get a good education and spend time with them. He does not dream about money and is discouraged by the amount of corruption he sees.

I thought it was interesting, since it's very similar to what most people want. I know that I don't care about money, cars, or where I live, as long as I get to spend every day with my wife. I'd like to have enough money to travel with her and I'd be content.

I'm down to six days before I depart...then to Kyrgyzstan for a few days, then BWI for a night, then finally home. I'm definitely getting excited.

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Back to Turnover

Rocket status: None today.

This morning we had breakfast and went to pickup laundry. When we went to the laundry building it said Medical Clinic on the door...the personnel inside told us they moved and opened a new laundry facility. Here's the picture of the new place. It is pretty nice, considering we're in a war zone. They even decorated for the grand opening.

We spent the rest of the morning chatting with the ANA Colonel...talking a little and drinking a little chai. He told us about some more detergent that was coming in and had no where to store it but in the main warehouse. Here we go again I thought...I asked if he could store it in an outdoor area that's fenced off and that was no good either. Then I asked if he had another container we could store it in and he said he had a place to put it...I really should have pressed him to tell me. I'm concerned at where it might end up, but at least it's not in the main warehouse. He's been great to work with these last 4-6 weeks.

In the afternoon, we went to main base Kandahar to meet the Air Force advisor, so he could meet my replacement. We met at Tim Hortons and had iced cappuccinos while we chatted.

After that, I had just enough time to drop off the order for the ANA Colonel's plaque. I wanted to get him something for being a great host and friend.

Here's the pic of the rug I've been after for the last few weeks. It's hard to capture a rug's true look in a photo, since it changes color at different angles. The texture is also part of the beauty of it, which can't be seen. I think I'm officially done buying carpets now.

Traveled back from Kabul Today

Rocket status: none tonight.

We slept in a little at the military side of the Kabul Airport.  One of my friends put us up in a regular room on regular beds...we could even walk down the hall to the restroom and shower...we were very happy and slept great.

We didn't do much today, other than eat and shop for movies at the Afghan shops while we waited for our check-in time of 3:50PM.

I'll try to post some pics tomorrow.  The internet is not cooperating with uploading pictures.