From a friend in the Canadian Armed Forces, just returned to Afghanistan.
It is September 1 here, we had a scorching day. Temps I believe were in the 45C range. Tonight, the sky darkened and it was hard to tell if it was the dust or a storm brewing. At about 1930, I got my answer. The light show was spectacular. A bit of thunder and lots of lightning, but no rain. The clouds may have dumped the rain in the mountains. It still has a very dusty smell outside.
A few things have happened since I wrote last. I have made it out of the camp. That in itself was quite a production. I went with the transport guys to pickup some cargo from KIA (Kabul International Airport). We took the BIG trucks. It is hard enough for me to get my short leg up into the step and pull myself up. Add on a flack vest, tack vest, helmet, water, camera, and rifle to that mix. I think the guys were taking bets as to whether I would fall back or not. I made it.
On our way out of the camp, we just happened to pick the precise moment that the India President Karzi was passing by. He had made a stop at the King’s Palace to dedicate a monument or something. He and his ‘groupies’ were just leaving the dedication when we were trying to leave. It was like the parade.
There were police on motorcycles, limousines, trucks of soldiers, SUVs with snipers hanging out the window, US Hummers with weapons, and a few dozen black sedans. While we were sitting there, I took out my camera to take a picture. One of the Afghanistan guards saw me and came running up to the PLS I was in. He wanted his picture taken too. LOL So he stood at attention and I took his photo.
Finally we were able to get out behind the ‘parade’ and follow them into town. All along the route, there were soldiers lined up with weapons, keeping the people off the streets. This was the first time I had seen the streets so empty. I saw one soldier actually beating a man back off the street. All for Karzi, since he came with an offer of money for the government. The Afghanie flag and Karzi’s picture were on every post.
We found out the hard way that streets had been shut down for this. Ever try turning two semis and two g wagons on a street with parked cars? Not fun. I am sure that red car had the scratched bumper already. lol
Finally made it to our destination of KIA. The Herc was late and we were early, so we had more than an hour to kill. My driver, Jason, was quite the charmer and took me for lunch and shopping at the airport.
Once loaded and on our way again, we did not make it very far until we were jammed. Coming out of the airport is a very poor side of town. I will say I have noticed quite a few improvements as we travelled through Kabul. This particular section now had paved gutters. Unfortunately they still just pile trash along the roadway. And of course we were stopped right next to a lovely pile or rotting stench. Gunners got out to guard the trucks, and soon the kids and people started to swarm. The kids were talking to the guard.
The adults were stopping, standing and surveying our situation. Now anywhere else that would not be a problem, but it becomes an immediate danger to us. As we were temporarily trapped.
From this vantage point I was watching a small child sift through the garbage. He found a plastic and a tin pop containers. At one point an Afghany man came over and beat the kids back from my guard. The kids, being kids, merely circled and came back when the coast was clear. Another teenage boy was showing too much interest in what I was doing, so my driver Jason, pulled his rifle, the guards moved in, and moved the teen off. We got a little nervous just sitting there, so the guards went forward. Stopped traffic and got us through.
We delivered out goods to its destination and headed home. It was a long hot dusty sweaty day.
This morning, yes it is now morning here, I am monitoring the computers. Soon we will be moving to Kandahar, but in the meantime, conveys of troups are out checking things out. Just another day in the life………………………
More photos at this directory
Previous “postcards” are here, here, here, here, here, and here.
What an honest picture.
Good stuff.
So good not to learn of any undue happenings. Hope things remain low key 73s TG
The picture gallery is very good. Have any of the pics been used in MSM newsprint? I love the one of the little girls in their colourful burkas sitting in a row. Your friend is talented and I’d like to see more of their work in an art gallery somewhere. Any suggestions?
I know they haven’t, but you’re right – they should.
What bothers me – a little, no a lot – is that women still feel the need to cover. Maybe they want to, as in following their religion. But, I have this feeling that intimidation is still high. I think they may be going out on their own but it is too hard to tell from the pictures. That would be a step up.
Why do I always have this feeling that when we leave, that half of the population will be returned to a life of terror?
Paul…are you the artist? If so, nice work.
it’s going to take a long time to for the girls to ‘uncover’. Wearing a head covering is very psychological and you wouldn’t think it’s hard to remove, but it is. It took me almost a year before I was able to take my veil off but I did it in steps, eventually wearing a bandana before I was comfortable to show my hair.
There is definitely intimidation but what’s worse is the indoctrination and the fear of physicial and psychological violence against the women/girls if they didn’t wear their hijab. The post traumatic stress after dealing with such oppression is hard to forget. They may still fear reprisal. I know I am still recovering the effects of Islamic indoctrination in my Canadian community obviously it was far from brutal but of course, but many were supporters of the Taliban.
Many if the photographer is any where near Hamilton we could make arrangements for a show…I know a curator
HR
whoops…I mean gallery owner/curator
Habamusrodentum, Some time back I strongly disagreed with one of your opinions and was temped to shred your view on that topic.
Glad that I held off though. Your forcefulness and conviction made me think you were a tough guy.
What a surprise to find otherwise.
Very interesting, the views you explained here.
Methinks that powerful spirit is not likely to be held back by any oldtime tradition for very long. 73s TG
TG…Yeah…I don’t know what made me think that I could last either…(!!) actually I do know but it’s alot of alot of things (I did leave the community fighting – and I’m not so tough – it’s just a hard shell. If your interested, my story is posted on my blog it’s called A Journey into Conversion, although it isn’t finished I’m only at Part 7 and still writing.
And bty…I haven’t used my real identity because of security reasons. I’ve met a few individuals in the Islamic community that have been in the news…and then some…but that will be in noted in future story parts
HR
not to be confused with “hamstrungrodent”?
nah…it means “we have rats” as in the rats in our parliaments – the name explanation is one of my first posts. That’s how it all started anyway…as a response to the sponsorship scandal. And inadvertently to other requests from a lawyer and sharia law activist to “get my story out”
If I knew how to translate “Not Worth a Rat’s Ass” into Latin I would have named my blog that instead but rodents can’t be choosers…especially if your commenting on blog called ‘small dead animals’ – the subject taken out by its author (this is written with total jocularity – surely I joust?) 🙂
I am the ‘postcards from Afghanistan’ friend. No I do not live by Hamilton.
Thank you for the kind words about my contributions. I will continue to send Kate my stories for her to disseminate as she sees fit.
I have many stories left to tell.