My Mission to Afghanistan 2010: December 2010

The transit system in Afghanistan has taught me a few valuable lessons: 1. REMAIN PATIENT, 2. BE FLEXIBLE, and 3. EXPECT the WORST. My flight from Kabul to Herat was delyed 3 days and I spent that time in transient billeting in the airport. Ever have to sit around on a terminal for you flight? It was kinda like that for 3 days. I traveled with my new friend Ahamad Habibi, my linguist. Without him I could not get any work done. The flights back to Kabul had similar delays with a few helos and covoys to meet the plane back and forth a few times. All in a days work!

The Canadians flew me to Herat! They are everywhere! I wasn't so sure about their old cargo plane though. I saw duct tape on the wing. the Spanish AirForce flew me back to Kabul.

I spent approximatey 15 days flying around Afghanistan and riding through the mountains. It is really beautiful here, just a little dusty/rocky and smoggy. :) I had to take several helos to the Northern areas due to some "minor traffic issues" on the Northern Service Road. I didn't min at all. Sadly, all I could think about was Jackie when I was on the Helo. She would have loved to see the mountains and sunset through the clouds. (inhale/exhale). She is always with me.

I ate a few Afghan lunches while I was in Herat. To refuse would have been rude. Some good, some horrible, but overall the experience was amazing. I met some wonderful people, made new friends, and even met up with some older friends. I seem to know someone in every part of Afghanistan.

The food is ver good, and I live sleeping on floors! I will appreciate a bed much more when I get back to Kabul. I had a great time here and helped "find" a few dollars "underneath" the pillows. I am ready to get back to Kabul to write about 50 TPS reports and prep for my next trip in 2 weeks.