I finally went on another trip after more than a month at Bagram. I was getting cabin fever and one of my other trips got pushed back to March. I know all my friends and family must think I’m crazy to want to travel around Afghanistan but how am I supposed to really understand this place if I don’t get out and see it and meet people?
This trip took me to Bastion airfield, Camp Leatherneck and Kandahar. If you’ve read my blogs before then you know I don’t like Kandahar. Well Kandahar moved up the list after going to Leatherneck. Wow!!! This place is desolate. One guy I talked to said he loves it there and he’d like it even more desolate. I think he was stealing meds from medical or something to have an outlook like that. LOL!!!
Leatherneck is a Marine Corps base and is all business. Everything is spread way out and it’s a bit of a hike to get anywhere. Our hosts had to make room for me and I could tell they weren’t all that happy about it but they were accommodating anyway. I was there to do some Soldier in the Spotlight stuff and my travel partner was doing legal stuff. It took us about an hour to knock out what we had to do and the rest of the time I looked around at the place for any sign of fun or a portal to another world.
They had no personal internet service, my cell phone didn’t work and I had to ask for a moment on the legal sergeants computer to send a quick email out. I was drowning in boredom. I couldn’t go anywhere without a battle buddy. It’s a shame when you have to be as concerned about your safety on a base as you do off of it. Seriously.
To keep myself busy I talked to the medical guys, one is a Navy commander, about what they do day in and day out. I listened to stories by the smoke pit. You know I’m bored if I’m standing by a smoke pit for entertainment. I hate cigarette smoke but the stories were too good to miss while I was standing around in the dark waiting to go to the living quarters. I cleaned Mad Max and he needed it. He’s very happy now. I worried about my friends back at Bagram not being able to reach me on my phone and thinking I blew up or something, ergo the quick email assuring them and my family I hadn’t.
For some odd reason I was famished during this trip. I wanted to eat all the time. Boredom really does equal shoving food needlessly down your throat I guess. I’ll get to that later.
So I get the bad news that the flight out of Marine Corps hell was not until 8 pm on day two. I started to wonder what I could get myself into during those long hot hours. Maybe I could count the burnt faces I was seeing everywhere. That was too funny. There are like 30 bottles of sunscreen sitting right there in the front of medical yet so many of the guys had two-tone heads. I wonder how many cancer cases are going to come out of that. I believe in skin protection but I am a women and it isn’t just about cancer, its about maintaining youthful beauty until gravity and age have their way, then its time to visit a doctor.
Luckily my travel buddy is pretty savvy about figuring out the flights and got us on a much earlier C-130. We still waited at the PAX terminal for a while but that was a drop in the bucket compared to the next day’s travels. While I was lying there on a cot and listening to some Marines and Brits talk about their weapons and how badass they are, my phone started working out of the blue. I’ll never complain about two things ever again, ATT and U.S. airports. Never. Make that three things because I’m going to add Kandahar to that list now that I have a little perspective.
So we make it out on our flight and get to Kandahar. I end up staying in the crappy overstuffed tents that they put us in the first time I came here but something was different. Something was missing. Hmmmm….let me think. Oh yeah, the smell. I didn’t smell anything remotely reeking of human waste. They must have fixed the cesspool issue. What a relief that was.
So the legal guy and I make our rounds visiting the units and I got to finally meet my headquarters PA counterparts. The Lieutenant Colonel was very nice and we talked about some good PA plans and stuff. I’m glad I could finally come down to Kandahar without fear of being kept there by them.
The person I was looking forward to seeing, my Navy buddy who moved down to Kandahar to work, I only got to see long enough to solidify our dinner plans and then I stood him up. Not intentionally. The legal guy got caught up in some stuff and we were running late. I felt terrible for it. I like talking to him. He’s a smart guy that I think will go far in this world. Now he thinks I’m a heel or something so I’m going to try and make it up to him. I can’t have my friends thinking I don’t care. That’s impossible for me.
I ended up having dinner with legal guy at TGIF. Yup, they got a TGIF there in Kandahar and it looks a lot like the ones back home. The biggest difference is the staff. They are all Indian I think and don’t know what waiting on someone really means but they were nice and helpful when asked.
I ordered a pasta dish and an appetizer. It gave me an upset stomach but luckily it only lasted for a little while.
The next morning we got to the air terminal at 630 for a 930am flight that ended up being a 930pm flight. Yes, my day was spent at a military airport but not all was lost.
The first time we thought we were going to be leaving on our flight we were standing inside the terminal waiting and we ended up talking to this hardcore Psy-Ops guy. Psy-Ops stands for psychological operations. These guys try to influence the population in our favor to help fight the insurgency. If we have the populations support, we can better fight the Taliban. Its about building trust with the people but there’s some manipulation involved, if you will.
Any way, this guy is an ass right off the bat. He finds out I’m public affairs and immediately starts to insult me. If anyone knows me, I bite back when someone comes at me this way. We went at it and then he explained that it wasn’t me he had a problem with but an Army PA specialist who wasn’t doing her job properly and was making him and his team, look bad. I told him that she obviously doesn’t know what her role is as a PA specialist because our job is to make our services and its people look their best. We are not the public media and we don’t serve the same purpose, thank god.
We ended up striking a rapport but with a few joking insults thrown in for fun. He is multi-lingual so I told him he was an asshole in four languages and he thought that was funny. Then he said I was heartless and mean for saying such things but that he is an asshole and I told him it’s a defense mechanism. He pretended not to know what that meant but if you know four languages then you’re obviously smart so I’m sure he knew what I meant. He called my rank insignia a seagull and I of course kept stressing that it was an eagle. He ended up giving me his combat patches because I was eyeing them since they were Afghan and I gave him my Navy “Don’t tread on me patch.” Sort of a peace-keeping deal.
For me that was an encounter between two professionals in different career fields not easily understood by the other reaching a mutual respect and understanding for the other plus I think he had a thing for me but I am not fond of assholes anymore no matter how good looking they are even if I think I know how to handle them.
I met two other very interesting people as well. One was an older Afghan linguist who works as an interpreter and the other is an ex-Navy/Army electrician. Both had very engaging stories to tell. The electrician had done something almost too unbelievable while he was in the Navy. He supposedly disabled an aircraft carrier at sea causing it to go dead in the water (DIW).
As he’s telling me this the cogs in my head are turning and I ask him how the hell do you do that to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier with four engine rooms and four screws? It’s apparently not something he’s proud of and he paid dearly for it but as he’s explaining it to me it becomes clear this guy is very smart. Maybe too smart.
He was a nuclear electrician and he somehow disabled each propeller one by one until the ship was sitting there DIW to prove a point to his chain of command. It was an unbelievable story but no less entertaining.
My new Afghan friend liked talking about god and how Christianity and the Muslim religion have a lot of similarities and that its not the religions that cause so much disharmony in the world but the disagreements between man that are the root cause of the hatred felt and the wars fought. I’m not deeply religious but I agreed with him. Believing in something that helps people be good and caring toward each other is a great thing no matter its foundation. I love learning about all religions and I have a healthy respect for the Muslim religion because in its truest form its about peace and prosperity for everyone. As a women though I cannot abide by the restrictions those that practice the religion place on women. I like having a choice and I wish more women had the same.
He gave me his phone number so I could call him and we could meet up to talk some more. He also taught me that one of my favorite Dari sayings has two meanings. “Khush timora!” means your killing me as in “You are getting on my nerves or striking a cord with me,” but as a joke usually and it is also used to express ones feelings for a beautiful woman as in if a man see’s a woman so beautiful that he is taken by her beauty he might say, “You are like nothing I have seen before, khush timora!” I thought that was so beautiful.
I have been making an effort to seek out people I can learn from and its paying off. I also made another friend not that long ago, an interpreter as well and he offered to tell me his stories about Afghanistan. I love that. Despite what they have been through watching their people and country suffer so much that they are still willing to share it with me so I can share it with you. That is the best.
Before I end this long blog I have to talk about my hunger. I don’t know if it’s the stress of traveling or what but I was so hungry during this trip. In the morning at the Kandahar airport I got tea, coffee and donuts for me and the legal guy for breakfast. I figured we’d be gone by lunch. Lunch came and went and we’re still sitting there at the terminal. By two o’clock I’m starving and the spy-ops guy gets some kabob (cooked meat with naan bread). I’m trying not to stare at him and his food but I can’t help it.
I practically beg the legal guy to call someone to bring us some food, which he does but in the mean time I’m scrounging around for snacks or something. Finally the spy-ops guy hands me his food and says I can have it. I don’t even ask him if he’s sure, which is something I do a lot but at this point I was a dog staring at him while licking my mouth just waiting for him to drop something on the ground so I could eat it. LOL!!!
Finally after I ate that and a slice of pizza that finally arrived shortly thereafter, the legal guy looks at me and asks if that’s going to keep me over for a while. I laughed because it was almost as if he was insinuating I eat too much. Whatever.
My next trip should be very interesting, as I will be working with the Afghan Army again.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Crazy Crossfit Workout with Army
In addition to doing my journalist thing while visiting Gamberi I worked out with the Army captain who came with our group. She is a powerhouse of energy and motivation. She is a personal trainer who plans to open a cross-fit gym when she gets back home from this deployment. Now when I heard the words cross-fit I had to ask what it was and it sounded tough and interesting so I tried it with her. Just doing the legs exercises alone was enough to make me want to crawl home to momma. She had a list of 20 exercises with pull ups between every single one of them. I couldn't do a pull up to save my life but I did the best I could. By the end I was crawling around in the sand afraid to stand up for fear my legs would burst into flames.
Believe it or not I joined her the next day for another session and almost killed myself with a stack of water bottles. She had me trying to do an exercise where I had to balance the water bottles in one hand and lay down and get up while keeping them balanced and my arm straight in the air. I had to give up on that crazy exercise after almost eviscerating myself with the 25lb pack of water bottles. Instead I used them as added weight while I did sit ups. We ran between those exercises with a 40lb sandbag and I was supposed to do handstand pushups too but when I almost suffered a concussion I gave up on that too and just did regular pushups. Still after all that I challenged her to a race with the sandbags and I lost but it was fun. I hope we get to work out together more. She'll have me ready for the beach this summer for sure.
Believe it or not I joined her the next day for another session and almost killed myself with a stack of water bottles. She had me trying to do an exercise where I had to balance the water bottles in one hand and lay down and get up while keeping them balanced and my arm straight in the air. I had to give up on that crazy exercise after almost eviscerating myself with the 25lb pack of water bottles. Instead I used them as added weight while I did sit ups. We ran between those exercises with a 40lb sandbag and I was supposed to do handstand pushups too but when I almost suffered a concussion I gave up on that too and just did regular pushups. Still after all that I challenged her to a race with the sandbags and I lost but it was fun. I hope we get to work out together more. She'll have me ready for the beach this summer for sure.
An update from the War Front
I now work for a new brigade and things are going good. I like them and they seem to like me well enough which is good because if they didn't I'd be sitting in Kandahar now. That would have sucked. It's still a possibility but I'm praying to stay here at Bagram with the snow capped peaks of the Hindu Khush mountains and the familiarity of friends and coworkers.
My new boss told me that Afghanistan is my oyster and I can travel where ever there's a story that involves our brigade. It's ironic how differently I look at being here compared to when I first arrived. Back then I didn't want to hear anything about a convoy, leaving the office much less the FOB and now I'm looking for places to go and stories to cover. I know my friends and family don't want to hear that but I can't help it. In order for any experience to be truly worth while you have to get out of your comfort zone and take a chance. Yes bad things can happen but so can good ones and if we hide from the bad ones we will miss the good ones too.
So my first mission for the brigade was back to Gamberi Garrison. The mission there is being assessed for changes and such and I was going to cover the civil affairs mission. Civil affairs involves reaching out to the local community to see what is the best way to build a relationship with them of trust and cooperation. I think its a very important mission and in order for Afghanistan to stand on its own the Afghan soldiers need the support of their people. Civil affairs is one way to build that relationship.
The FOB was a little different from the last time I was there. There were some improvements in the support services for the U.S. Soldiers and more build up. The base is relatively new so there will be a lot more changes.
I was looking forward to seeing the ANA colonels that run the show there. I got to visit with and interview one of them so I was happy for that. I can't really talk about the mission related meetings but I felt truly lucky to be able to be a part of the grass root efforts being made by the ANA and the brigade to try and reach out to the local villages. I was the only women at the meetings and I was given a lot of stares, some warm and some not so much by the village elders. I smiled to myself because I was privileged to be there and see the relationships my government wants fostered so we can succeed at this war and go home.
I love some of the traditions they have here like Chai tea and sweet treats when you visit with the Afghans. I never complain about the tea. I love it. Also I have received nothing but the utmost respect by the Afghan men or at least the ones I have interacted with. I'm sure there are some who can't be trusted but I have been lucky to not deal directly with any of them. They have a different way of looking at women than American men but I haven't found it to be bad even though I am a military woman. It doesn't seem to matter to them, I'm still a woman. Of course I can't see myself being the domesticated matriarch who stays home to care for the kids but I respect their culture and find they have a strong family unit, something that's lacking back home.
One of my favorite people here is Zaki, the linguist and he came with us to Gamberi too. We've become friends and he's very funny. I have a twisted sense of humor and so does he so we get along great. Our last night at Gamberi one of his interpreter friends invited me for tea with some of the other interpreters. These guys all grew up in Afghanistan and have a tight knit bond that's like a brotherhood. I was honored to be invited to share tea with these guys and hang out.
We played cards and I drank a lot of tea with dried blackberries. It was so much fun and they were complete gentlemen but very competitive with the card games as I would expect from any dedicated card player. Reminded me of card games back home except there wasn't any real yelling or arguing. Someone is always going to be accused of cheating. Afterwards I spent some time talking to another one of my favorite interpreters. He had been feeling down when he is usually very happy and comedic so I was concerned. His best friend is my friend too so I asked him to try to lift his spirits when he can and I tried to tell him that he'll be ok and he will succeed at his goals if he works hard. Believe me, I've been through those phases before too.
So all in all it was a good trip and a memorable one. We left this morning and said goodbye to a couple of stray dogs, one who let me take my picture with her. I hope I have more adventures like this.
My new boss told me that Afghanistan is my oyster and I can travel where ever there's a story that involves our brigade. It's ironic how differently I look at being here compared to when I first arrived. Back then I didn't want to hear anything about a convoy, leaving the office much less the FOB and now I'm looking for places to go and stories to cover. I know my friends and family don't want to hear that but I can't help it. In order for any experience to be truly worth while you have to get out of your comfort zone and take a chance. Yes bad things can happen but so can good ones and if we hide from the bad ones we will miss the good ones too.
So my first mission for the brigade was back to Gamberi Garrison. The mission there is being assessed for changes and such and I was going to cover the civil affairs mission. Civil affairs involves reaching out to the local community to see what is the best way to build a relationship with them of trust and cooperation. I think its a very important mission and in order for Afghanistan to stand on its own the Afghan soldiers need the support of their people. Civil affairs is one way to build that relationship.
The FOB was a little different from the last time I was there. There were some improvements in the support services for the U.S. Soldiers and more build up. The base is relatively new so there will be a lot more changes.
I was looking forward to seeing the ANA colonels that run the show there. I got to visit with and interview one of them so I was happy for that. I can't really talk about the mission related meetings but I felt truly lucky to be able to be a part of the grass root efforts being made by the ANA and the brigade to try and reach out to the local villages. I was the only women at the meetings and I was given a lot of stares, some warm and some not so much by the village elders. I smiled to myself because I was privileged to be there and see the relationships my government wants fostered so we can succeed at this war and go home.
I love some of the traditions they have here like Chai tea and sweet treats when you visit with the Afghans. I never complain about the tea. I love it. Also I have received nothing but the utmost respect by the Afghan men or at least the ones I have interacted with. I'm sure there are some who can't be trusted but I have been lucky to not deal directly with any of them. They have a different way of looking at women than American men but I haven't found it to be bad even though I am a military woman. It doesn't seem to matter to them, I'm still a woman. Of course I can't see myself being the domesticated matriarch who stays home to care for the kids but I respect their culture and find they have a strong family unit, something that's lacking back home.
One of my favorite people here is Zaki, the linguist and he came with us to Gamberi too. We've become friends and he's very funny. I have a twisted sense of humor and so does he so we get along great. Our last night at Gamberi one of his interpreter friends invited me for tea with some of the other interpreters. These guys all grew up in Afghanistan and have a tight knit bond that's like a brotherhood. I was honored to be invited to share tea with these guys and hang out.
We played cards and I drank a lot of tea with dried blackberries. It was so much fun and they were complete gentlemen but very competitive with the card games as I would expect from any dedicated card player. Reminded me of card games back home except there wasn't any real yelling or arguing. Someone is always going to be accused of cheating. Afterwards I spent some time talking to another one of my favorite interpreters. He had been feeling down when he is usually very happy and comedic so I was concerned. His best friend is my friend too so I asked him to try to lift his spirits when he can and I tried to tell him that he'll be ok and he will succeed at his goals if he works hard. Believe me, I've been through those phases before too.
So all in all it was a good trip and a memorable one. We left this morning and said goodbye to a couple of stray dogs, one who let me take my picture with her. I hope I have more adventures like this.
The Way Forward in Afghanistan
I have been here for two months now and the experiences have been more than memorable. They have changed my outlook as I knew they would even though two months ago I was scared to death about being here. I have learned more than I cared to about the Army and I haven't learned enough about the people or this incredible country that has been victimized by occupation for hundreds of years. I'm quite fascinated by it actually and I hope to see this country one day governed by its own motivating and trustworthy leader and a strong military force that will keep its people safe.
A lot of people back home don't really understand what it is we're doing here and I didn't either before I came. Afghanistan was on the back burner while Iraq took the limelight and the bulk of U.S. forces and efforts. Now that everyone is focusing on Afghanistan everyone wants to know how and when we'll be leaving. The President says we'll be pulling forces out starting in 18 months but anyone who's been here can tell you that isn't going to happen. We will leave one day but it's going to take more time than has currently been alloted to get this country on its own feet so that it can effectively protect itself from terrorists that will not be disappearing any time soon from future history books. Like my Army Major keeps saying, it's hard to fight ideology. You have to replace one ideology with another and prove that it is better for those you are trying to convince.
I can tell you that there are some amazing Afghan soldiers leading the way toward making security by the people for the people a reality here. I've had the unique opportunity to work and socialize with them and they have a tough job ahead of them and they know it. I wish the media would cover their efforts more instead of the bloody and devastating efforts of the Taliban and other insurgents. All that does is propagate the knowledge of their cruel successes in this country around the world to their counterparts who no less celebrate their little victories.
For the past few weeks I've heard the departing brigade complain about the incoming brigade and how they think they are better than all the rest. After sitting in on today's meeting with said brigade I believe their attitude definitely demonstrates that they do indeed think they are the best. That is because they are serious about what they do and the commander's plan is to make a difference and support the effort to free Afghanistan of the Taliban scourge and help train the Afghan military to be the impenetrable barrier it needs to be to keep out insurgents and let their country flourish. I have nothing but the utmost respect for that way of thinking. I'm hoping my future with this brigade proves to be the most memorable and important of my tour here.
Our leaders understand that Afghanistan is a Muslim country and they don't need to be like us and they never will be and that is a good thing. I believe the beauty of our world is that we are all different and if we can accept and try to understand each other then the good from each culture can influence others for the better. Most Muslims here just want to live their lives and have their families be safe from harm and oppression. As long as ignorance and illiteracy pervade here they will always be susceptible to the fear and teachings of an extreme ideology. Our job is to convince them we don't want to change their way of life and make them American. We only want the bad people to go away and that they don't have to fear them anymore because we won't let them come back and neither will their brothers in arms.
I've seen both distrust and complete acceptance of our presence here but with time and dedication to the safety of the populous most will know we are keepers of our word and their children can go to school without fear of retribution. Education is the long term key to a better Afghanistan. Just like any country, it will not be perfect. There will always be someone taking away from the mouths of the needy for personal gain but what we're doing isn't in vain. I truly believe that. So if I die here I want my friends and family to know that I fell in love with the vision of a better world starting here because those cruel oppressive extremists need to go and I'm glad I played a role in that. Afghanistan will forever have a place in my heart but I hope to leave it alive and well and go home to my daughter and share with her my experiences.
A lot of people back home don't really understand what it is we're doing here and I didn't either before I came. Afghanistan was on the back burner while Iraq took the limelight and the bulk of U.S. forces and efforts. Now that everyone is focusing on Afghanistan everyone wants to know how and when we'll be leaving. The President says we'll be pulling forces out starting in 18 months but anyone who's been here can tell you that isn't going to happen. We will leave one day but it's going to take more time than has currently been alloted to get this country on its own feet so that it can effectively protect itself from terrorists that will not be disappearing any time soon from future history books. Like my Army Major keeps saying, it's hard to fight ideology. You have to replace one ideology with another and prove that it is better for those you are trying to convince.
I can tell you that there are some amazing Afghan soldiers leading the way toward making security by the people for the people a reality here. I've had the unique opportunity to work and socialize with them and they have a tough job ahead of them and they know it. I wish the media would cover their efforts more instead of the bloody and devastating efforts of the Taliban and other insurgents. All that does is propagate the knowledge of their cruel successes in this country around the world to their counterparts who no less celebrate their little victories.
For the past few weeks I've heard the departing brigade complain about the incoming brigade and how they think they are better than all the rest. After sitting in on today's meeting with said brigade I believe their attitude definitely demonstrates that they do indeed think they are the best. That is because they are serious about what they do and the commander's plan is to make a difference and support the effort to free Afghanistan of the Taliban scourge and help train the Afghan military to be the impenetrable barrier it needs to be to keep out insurgents and let their country flourish. I have nothing but the utmost respect for that way of thinking. I'm hoping my future with this brigade proves to be the most memorable and important of my tour here.
Our leaders understand that Afghanistan is a Muslim country and they don't need to be like us and they never will be and that is a good thing. I believe the beauty of our world is that we are all different and if we can accept and try to understand each other then the good from each culture can influence others for the better. Most Muslims here just want to live their lives and have their families be safe from harm and oppression. As long as ignorance and illiteracy pervade here they will always be susceptible to the fear and teachings of an extreme ideology. Our job is to convince them we don't want to change their way of life and make them American. We only want the bad people to go away and that they don't have to fear them anymore because we won't let them come back and neither will their brothers in arms.
I've seen both distrust and complete acceptance of our presence here but with time and dedication to the safety of the populous most will know we are keepers of our word and their children can go to school without fear of retribution. Education is the long term key to a better Afghanistan. Just like any country, it will not be perfect. There will always be someone taking away from the mouths of the needy for personal gain but what we're doing isn't in vain. I truly believe that. So if I die here I want my friends and family to know that I fell in love with the vision of a better world starting here because those cruel oppressive extremists need to go and I'm glad I played a role in that. Afghanistan will forever have a place in my heart but I hope to leave it alive and well and go home to my daughter and share with her my experiences.
The Holidays and the New Year
After getting back from Gamberi there hasn't been much going on aside from the day to day as far as my adventures in Afghanistan. However I've traded those little adventures for some down time enjoying my Christmas presents and hanging out. The brigades are changing over so there are a lot of people running around and most are not happy about being here. Those that are going home just want to get out of here and those that just got here, it's all still sinking in. I haven't enjoyed the company of most except for my friend Zaki. He always seems to be happy.
I got to talk to Sari for a long time on Skype on Christmas eve and that was great. She loves her grandma so much and has so much fun with her. She sang me some songs and ran around the room as if high on sugar. I also talked to my mom, brother and niece. I opened my gifts from my mom and aunt. I also received lots of treats from my office which served as comfort food.
Now its time to throw the comfort food away and look forward to next year. My number one goal is just to get home alive and in one healthy functioning piece. Everything else is second to that. I want to commit to all the standard New Years resolutions like losing weight, improving my health and other improvements on my life. I really want to make it as a writer so I will work on that too.
Lately I haven't been wanting to write because I feel like I'm repeating myself or nobody really cares what I have to say but it's just a phase. I know I'll get the writer in me to wake up. Maybe she's just very tired right now and a little overwhelmed.
I got to talk to Sari for a long time on Skype on Christmas eve and that was great. She loves her grandma so much and has so much fun with her. She sang me some songs and ran around the room as if high on sugar. I also talked to my mom, brother and niece. I opened my gifts from my mom and aunt. I also received lots of treats from my office which served as comfort food.
Now its time to throw the comfort food away and look forward to next year. My number one goal is just to get home alive and in one healthy functioning piece. Everything else is second to that. I want to commit to all the standard New Years resolutions like losing weight, improving my health and other improvements on my life. I really want to make it as a writer so I will work on that too.
Lately I haven't been wanting to write because I feel like I'm repeating myself or nobody really cares what I have to say but it's just a phase. I know I'll get the writer in me to wake up. Maybe she's just very tired right now and a little overwhelmed.
Gamberi Trip Post Five
I let the days get away from me and I’m a week into my Gamberi trip. I’ve been going a little stir crazy without the Internet but I went without it before during my early days in the Navy. After having it though it gets harder to go without. I got to use it for a moment yesterday on someone else’s computer but the connection was beyond slow. It tests the best of patience but I at least got to post on Facebook that I’m fine.
I’ve been busy writing stories and taking lots of photos of different events for briefing the Brigade leadership. It’s been good to stay busy but I’m ready to leave this place. I’m even more ready for my move to Kandahar after the New Year because that means I’m past the three-month mark and I’ll have about four months to go. I can start saying I’ll be home this year and stuff like that. I watched a lot of movies today because I was given the day off by my Major since the ANA soldiers don’t do any training on Fridays. I finally got to watch the rest of “The International” and it was a good movie. I had started watching it when I took Sari to visit her Auntie Sarah in Malibu but Sari got very sick and I had to take her home and to the emergency room. I’d been hoping to see the rest of it at some point. I’d recommend it as a good action spy type movie.
In the movie one of the characters says something that has stuck with me, “Sometimes a man will find his destiny on the winding road he took to avoid it.” I figure sometimes you find your destiny after running headlong into it. Always in the back of my mind is the thought that I had made so much happen so I could come to Afghanistan that I hope my destiny isn’t to perish here and never see my daughter again. It would be like I asked for it or something. Not that signing the dotted line of a military contract isn’t like asking for it too but I pushed really hard to make my coming to Afghanistan happen and I hope I don’t have to regret it. The last couple days that I haven’t written about weren’t as active as the first few but there are some things to write about.
I got hit in the face yesterday with a soccer ball about 20 feet from the goalie when he kicked the ball back out toward the infield. It stung and brought tears to my eyes but nothing was broken or bleeding. I walked it off a little bit and then I got back in the game however I didn’t have much of an active role anyway. The Afghan interpreters and soldiers were hell bent on kicking each other’s asses and I’d have been collateral damage. Oh wait I was collateral damage. The goalie, who was an ANA soldier, felt really bad about hitting me with the ball and kept apologizing and then finally he let me kick the ball for him to the infield. I kicked it to one of my teammates so I felt I had contributed something to the game. I suck at sports and maybe that’s why I’m a good sport about losing.
After a volleyball game earlier in the week with the ANA General, he told me that he was purposely avoiding hitting the ball in my direction because he didn’t want to hurt me. I don’t like for guys to hold back when they are playing sports with me but I’m glad I didn’t take a ball in the face by him because I probably would have a broken nose or black eye. I join in for the camaraderie but if I think I’m a handicap to the team then I’ll make an excuse to step aside so they can do their best.
Everyone has been pretty nice here but I think the Army guys aren’t sure what to think about me though. I hang out with the terps a lot and work side by side with the Major and the Army bosses so I don’t spend a lot of time around the soldiers but I’m always smiling and saying Hi. Still, I get the feeling they think I’m being snooty or something. I like the terps though and I can hang out with Americans whenever. I won’t get the chance to learn and experience the things I have if I just hide among my peers all the time. I’ve been learning Dari, the dominant language of the Afghans from the terps and they are so funny. They have a good bond among them and they treat me well. I enjoy it. They were impressed that I didn’t take off after getting hit in the face with the soccer ball but that I came back in the game and continued on. They joked that I’m a soldier first and a woman second.
I’ve been busy writing stories and taking lots of photos of different events for briefing the Brigade leadership. It’s been good to stay busy but I’m ready to leave this place. I’m even more ready for my move to Kandahar after the New Year because that means I’m past the three-month mark and I’ll have about four months to go. I can start saying I’ll be home this year and stuff like that. I watched a lot of movies today because I was given the day off by my Major since the ANA soldiers don’t do any training on Fridays. I finally got to watch the rest of “The International” and it was a good movie. I had started watching it when I took Sari to visit her Auntie Sarah in Malibu but Sari got very sick and I had to take her home and to the emergency room. I’d been hoping to see the rest of it at some point. I’d recommend it as a good action spy type movie.
In the movie one of the characters says something that has stuck with me, “Sometimes a man will find his destiny on the winding road he took to avoid it.” I figure sometimes you find your destiny after running headlong into it. Always in the back of my mind is the thought that I had made so much happen so I could come to Afghanistan that I hope my destiny isn’t to perish here and never see my daughter again. It would be like I asked for it or something. Not that signing the dotted line of a military contract isn’t like asking for it too but I pushed really hard to make my coming to Afghanistan happen and I hope I don’t have to regret it. The last couple days that I haven’t written about weren’t as active as the first few but there are some things to write about.
I got hit in the face yesterday with a soccer ball about 20 feet from the goalie when he kicked the ball back out toward the infield. It stung and brought tears to my eyes but nothing was broken or bleeding. I walked it off a little bit and then I got back in the game however I didn’t have much of an active role anyway. The Afghan interpreters and soldiers were hell bent on kicking each other’s asses and I’d have been collateral damage. Oh wait I was collateral damage. The goalie, who was an ANA soldier, felt really bad about hitting me with the ball and kept apologizing and then finally he let me kick the ball for him to the infield. I kicked it to one of my teammates so I felt I had contributed something to the game. I suck at sports and maybe that’s why I’m a good sport about losing.
After a volleyball game earlier in the week with the ANA General, he told me that he was purposely avoiding hitting the ball in my direction because he didn’t want to hurt me. I don’t like for guys to hold back when they are playing sports with me but I’m glad I didn’t take a ball in the face by him because I probably would have a broken nose or black eye. I join in for the camaraderie but if I think I’m a handicap to the team then I’ll make an excuse to step aside so they can do their best.
Everyone has been pretty nice here but I think the Army guys aren’t sure what to think about me though. I hang out with the terps a lot and work side by side with the Major and the Army bosses so I don’t spend a lot of time around the soldiers but I’m always smiling and saying Hi. Still, I get the feeling they think I’m being snooty or something. I like the terps though and I can hang out with Americans whenever. I won’t get the chance to learn and experience the things I have if I just hide among my peers all the time. I’ve been learning Dari, the dominant language of the Afghans from the terps and they are so funny. They have a good bond among them and they treat me well. I enjoy it. They were impressed that I didn’t take off after getting hit in the face with the soccer ball but that I came back in the game and continued on. They joked that I’m a soldier first and a woman second.
Gamberi Trip Post Four
I know these experiences are going to be worth it in the end but today tested my patience with the whole thing. I feel like I’ve been turned into the Major’s bitch producing whatever wonderful product he can think of to make him look good. I know that’s not true and what we’re doing together is serving a greater purpose and is very important but I don’t know why I’m feeling so frustrated by the do this do that thing. I should be used to it by now.
I think what’s bothering the most is he tells me today that we’re going to stay here until Dec. 24. At first he said Dec. 29 but I gave him a look that I guess he interpreted as “I don’t think so” and he recanted and came up with the 24th instead. Even so I hated the thought of staying here for two weeks. I didn’t bring enough stuff to last me for that long and the camera the office let me take with me only has one battery and no charger and guess what. It died today. Thank goodness I brought my own camera but because I thought I’d only be here a week and the Major was adamant I pack light so I didn’t bring my battery charger. I had to explain to him that the Navy is not required to provide equipment to support these IA missions because it is expected the Army will provide everything needed to do the job they are asking of us so I brought nadda except for my own gear and now I find myself using it to do my job here.
I was so tense by the end of the day I got on the treadmill and pounded out an hour of running and fast walking just to get past the frustration and relax. Today the Gamberi OIC had invited some village elders to have lunch at the dining facility on the U.S. part of the base. Most of them were at least older than 50 and were very traditional Muslim men from a village just outside the ANA base. There were about ten of them and each shared part of the responsibility of overlooking the daily life of their village.
One of the interpreters told me that their village was burned down by the Taliban and they moved into a tent close by the base. The goal of the meeting today was to build trust and understanding between the ANA, U.S. forces and the village so they will inform us if the Taliban try to operate from their village. They asked to have a school built for their children and some blankets and other basic supplies.To me this is a perfect opportunity to provide simple comfort items as a low cost and what they would give us in return is much more valuable. Information about the Taliban. It’s a win win.
Unfortunately it’s not that simple and as an outsider looking in the Army doesn’t make it simple either. I’m glad to be witnessing the raw relationship building that is happening here because this is where we have the opportunity to gain so much from giving so little but will we be able to win the trust of the village elders and their families? If we expect to leave Afghanistan and not have to come back, we have to succeed at this endeavor.
I think what’s bothering the most is he tells me today that we’re going to stay here until Dec. 24. At first he said Dec. 29 but I gave him a look that I guess he interpreted as “I don’t think so” and he recanted and came up with the 24th instead. Even so I hated the thought of staying here for two weeks. I didn’t bring enough stuff to last me for that long and the camera the office let me take with me only has one battery and no charger and guess what. It died today. Thank goodness I brought my own camera but because I thought I’d only be here a week and the Major was adamant I pack light so I didn’t bring my battery charger. I had to explain to him that the Navy is not required to provide equipment to support these IA missions because it is expected the Army will provide everything needed to do the job they are asking of us so I brought nadda except for my own gear and now I find myself using it to do my job here.
I was so tense by the end of the day I got on the treadmill and pounded out an hour of running and fast walking just to get past the frustration and relax. Today the Gamberi OIC had invited some village elders to have lunch at the dining facility on the U.S. part of the base. Most of them were at least older than 50 and were very traditional Muslim men from a village just outside the ANA base. There were about ten of them and each shared part of the responsibility of overlooking the daily life of their village.
One of the interpreters told me that their village was burned down by the Taliban and they moved into a tent close by the base. The goal of the meeting today was to build trust and understanding between the ANA, U.S. forces and the village so they will inform us if the Taliban try to operate from their village. They asked to have a school built for their children and some blankets and other basic supplies.To me this is a perfect opportunity to provide simple comfort items as a low cost and what they would give us in return is much more valuable. Information about the Taliban. It’s a win win.
Unfortunately it’s not that simple and as an outsider looking in the Army doesn’t make it simple either. I’m glad to be witnessing the raw relationship building that is happening here because this is where we have the opportunity to gain so much from giving so little but will we be able to win the trust of the village elders and their families? If we expect to leave Afghanistan and not have to come back, we have to succeed at this endeavor.
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