Kandahar International Airport

So we spent some time at the Kandahar International Airport just down the road from us.  I ran into an old classmate who works there as an advisor.  Got a great tour of the place and offers for lunch.  A couple of pictures.

The Kandahar International Airport.  Rush hour was a couple days ago.

The garden inside the airport.  Yes that's a pot plant growing and there are a few more around.  Poppies too.  Actually it's quite nice in the garden.  I told my friend I'd rather wait here than Reagan National.  No bar though but they are trying to build a Duty Free shop with stuff I like.

Cart service.  First come first serve.

Ramazan

So it's Ramazan (Ramadan) here in Afghanistan.  Not much to do for a month because the Afghan's are on half-days and I have no wheels.  We work out twice a day, check email, try and help others but we are bored.  There isn't anything going on here so I thought I'd show you my fridge.  It's got water, Red Bulls, chocolate and a bunch of crap on top.  I've accumulated too much stuff so nobody send me anything.  I need to start thinning this place out in case I have to leave.  Thanks for visiting.

Back to the City

Went into Kandahar City for some work with a government official. I won't go into details but it was nice to get out and see things. It's Ramazan so everything shuts down around noon. Pictures

David and Kevin. Both good guys who work for me and enjoy going out. Kevin comes from a remote district so he's happy to be in the city.

My friend Kip. Not sure what he's doing.

David and Kip. 

Me and Kevin. I got helmet hair and full of sweat.

The garden. Nice place and it's quiet. 

More Afghanistan Pictures

Sorry for not posting earlier.  It's hard to get WiFi and sometimes it's just weak.

I went to Mya Neshin District in Kandahar for a shura.  We spend a lot of time visiting these remote districts to ensure they're not forgotten.  Pretty wild west out there.  Enjoy the pictures..

This is the view from a Blackhawk. 

Afghan National Army soldiers.  Good guys but too much bling on the rifles.  

Me and a friend.  One of the few provincial officials I trust. 

Lunch was served.  Typical bread, chicken, rice and vegetables.  After the men eat they roll up the mat with all the left overs and feed the women.  I'm not joking either.

The view from outside.  Lots of dirt.

I'll try and post more later.  Thanks for looking.

Afghanistan Pictures

I pulled the card out of my old camera and downloaded some pictures. These were taken from previous shuras where we engage district leaders and try to help them bring governance and development. Enjoy the pictures.

Me and my translator David eating lunch. 

Me, the District Governor and a few other cats from Kandahar. The guy second from the right is a lawyer. He stepped on my bread during lunch with his bare foot. Nice guy though.

Afghan security forces with ISAF Mentors.

Chicken and rice for lunch.

The birds to take us home. 

Ride Safe.

Back For More

I let this blog lapse. Sorry. Been busy and didn't have a computer or camera. I fixed that so I'll start posting again. Anyways I've been in Kandahar for about 3-4 months working throughout the province. I'll start posting some pictures to give you an idea what this place looks like.

This is a view from the back of an MRAP driving into the city.

A view from the Governor's Compound. 

This is my new room. Doesn't look like much but it's private and has AC.

The Other Side

I thought it was a keen title for where I am. A lot has happened since my last post. Went to language school, lots of range time and now I am in Afghansitan to start my 10 month tour. I think I am heading to Kandahar to conduct village stability and governance. Will see when I get there. Anyways, I'll try and keep this blog current. Was going to let it go but have a lot of time invested in it.