I'm relearning a lesson that I've learned a hundred times before; never drink a triple espresso drink in the afternoon, because you will never be able to fall to sleep. But I just had to have it!!!!! Jokes on me as I sit up writing, knowing that I should be sleeping as I'll have another hectic day tomorrow.
I've been in Afghanistan for nearly three months now. Life has taken on a Groundhog's Day likeness that can be almost scary. In a country as unpredictable as Afghanistan it is odd how everyday has become the same. Nearly!!
Every day here has been hot and dusty. The dust works its way into just about everything. There is no point cleaning your shoes, as dust coats them in seconds. On days when the wind picks up a little the sky appears as if cloudy through the fine dust in the air. On the dustier days the helicopters can't fly so my flights get canceled and there are more insurgent attacks. The insurgents know very well when the weather weakens us, the coalition.
There hasn't been a day below 100 F for at least two months now. The warmest days have been right around the 120 mark. It is amazing how you get used to it. I know it is hot, but it doesn't really bother me, and since I've got air conditioning in my office and room, I'm fine.
The workload is incessant, but that is all right as there isn't much else to do. So far, I haven't taken a day off in three months. But that will change next week as I'll run off to Istanbul for a short break. What I'm looking forward to most is the coffee, the freedom to roam, and the food.
The food on base has grown pretty monotonous. There are seven dining facilities all slight different from each other, but serving somewhat similar food. It is nourishment, but it gets pretty old pretty quickly. However there are a few gems. The cherry and pecan pies are delicious. The pumpkin and potato curry is quite delicious over rice. Even the occasional potpie is a nice surprise. I still can't wait for some good food though.
Maybe it's good I'm not writing in my blog too often, all my posts would be about the same things: heat, dust, bad food, and monotony. At least the work is challenging and I'm really pushing my comfort zones, really gaining a lot of experience.
