I work in Afghanistan and try to give a regular political and personal update from the ground. Look at the articles attached for more detailed information on specific topics.
Things less dramatic tan last week but attacks and alerts go on. Most alerts were VBIED (car bombs). Drugs in the news again. DRUGS ARE NOT A PROBLEM IN Afghanistan. They supply money for food and education for families. The problem seems to be drug use in the west. The average American farmer is paid about $15,000 a year not to produce. It would be a lot cheaper to do this in Afghanistan. Week started well for me when two old commuity leaders travelled a few hours to come to the IOM office to see if they were goig to be given any more grant to clear some under ground waterways. they told me the previous money had met they had renevated a lot of the waterway and ten wells. Their villages now have water to drink and even a little extra for irrigation. They were embarisingly profuse in their thanks and I was able to tell them the next grant had been approved.It is contact with locals i most miss because of the decurity regulations.
I thought I saw a friend from East Timor the other day and checked and sent him an email. Below is his reply. I have had it easy in comparison.
Dear Paul,
well a blast from the past....In an hour I am going on holiday out of email contact to North West Holland so for now will keep this short, I will be back in a week and then will catch up with you. Suffice to say I was with the UN Electoral in Khost province in Gardez District from April and on June 6th was in a road mission from Khost to Gardez. with my PVC and were attacked twice, once by remote detonated mine, then later by 3 RPG's and a firefight that lasted nearly an hour. Lucky to be alive. If you have seen the movie "Pulp Fiction" I would call it divine intervention.We have now been repatriated out and awaiting fresh missions in the future. I hope all is well for you in that god forsaken country, how is your motor bike, I expect you have donkey now, and do you still have your house boat. Will be good to catch up.
Best wishes,
David
Also an earthquake one night last week. I awoke to a sense of being shaken and realized it was the house not me. I waited wondering how much the huse could take before cracking and I would have to drag myself out of bed and go down to the shelter. It seemed to last about 5 minutes but was probably less than that. I did not have to get out of bed. Life has been working about 12 hours a day 6.5 days a week, squash or gym, quick meals and sleep.
Now on leave. When queueing at Kabul airport heard a large Canadian say to an Afghan 'Hoy guy back of the queue. What are you from Toronto.' In Istambul satin food market and chatted to people. One man onasking where I was from said,'We do not like your wars'. I told him I was not too keen on them either. Some students discussed the war in detail and how their president, Mustafa, was an American puppet. I asked what was better an American puppet or an American poodle. They were of course also very interested in 'free' sex in the west. I had to esure them that, 'I have not had sex for a long time can you help me.' was probably not going to be the most successful chat up line.
Now in Dubai heading for Lebonon for a holiday.Strange being able to walk around freely and not having guns and military everywhere.
I thought I saw a friend from East Timor the other day and checked and sent him an email. Below is his reply. I have had it easy in comparison.
Dear Paul,
well a blast from the past....In an hour I am going on holiday out of email contact to North West Holland so for now will keep this short, I will be back in a week and then will catch up with you. Suffice to say I was with the UN Electoral in Khost province in Gardez District from April and on June 6th was in a road mission from Khost to Gardez. with my PVC and were attacked twice, once by remote detonated mine, then later by 3 RPG's and a firefight that lasted nearly an hour. Lucky to be alive. If you have seen the movie "Pulp Fiction" I would call it divine intervention.We have now been repatriated out and awaiting fresh missions in the future. I hope all is well for you in that god forsaken country, how is your motor bike, I expect you have donkey now, and do you still have your house boat. Will be good to catch up.
Best wishes,
David
Also an earthquake one night last week. I awoke to a sense of being shaken and realized it was the house not me. I waited wondering how much the huse could take before cracking and I would have to drag myself out of bed and go down to the shelter. It seemed to last about 5 minutes but was probably less than that. I did not have to get out of bed. Life has been working about 12 hours a day 6.5 days a week, squash or gym, quick meals and sleep.
Now on leave. When queueing at Kabul airport heard a large Canadian say to an Afghan 'Hoy guy back of the queue. What are you from Toronto.' In Istambul satin food market and chatted to people. One man onasking where I was from said,'We do not like your wars'. I told him I was not too keen on them either. Some students discussed the war in detail and how their president, Mustafa, was an American puppet. I asked what was better an American puppet or an American poodle. They were of course also very interested in 'free' sex in the west. I had to esure them that, 'I have not had sex for a long time can you help me.' was probably not going to be the most successful chat up line.
Now in Dubai heading for Lebonon for a holiday.Strange being able to walk around freely and not having guns and military everywhere.