How much is too much? I wish today's blog was funnier, but war is not funny and this is just one episode.
Nights ago on the tiny FOB-foreign operating base, that I lived on, the military conducted a raid on our camp. No ex-pats were bothered, (Americans, British). I watched as foreign nationals (FN's) shoved their possesions here and there to hide stuff that would be confiscated. Things like laptops, hard drives, cell phones, flash drives, I-pods.Not understanding what was happening, I thought that maybe a spy had gotten on the base. It was with extreme horror that they seemed to focus on the Bosnians and Kenyans on this particular raid. They searched and frisked..I watched in horror and disbelief as my buddies were taken away. The feeling was simular to your drunk and driving friends. They won't let you drive because it's their car and, "hey! I'm not that drunk". They are impervious to death. So, you try to follow them but, sure enough they get pulled over and when the police try to arrest them, you sit helplessly by wanting to run after the cop to defend them pleading..He really is a good guy. I've know him and I can vouch for him...please don't arrest him! Then your buddy pulls a gun and your resolve is shot to hell. So this was how it was. I watched as the US soldiers took one after another of my buddies into custody. After they searched them they were taken to their rooms for a search for prohibited items. I was asked to accompany the bomb sniffing dogs with their masters in the girls compound. I asked them what it was the dogs were searching for? Bombs! They were searching for BOMBS! They can be made with hairspray, strike matches, after shave, ect... I had no idea. It's amazing the crap that can be acquired to kill someone else. And when did Bosnia become the enemy? When did they make the super dangerous to Americans watch list? Am I stupid? Then I watched as the military brough out bags of stuff that I now knew could be used to mutilate me without a thought for my family, friends or children. Or was that harmless stuff used for their everyday comfort? I am suspicious of everyone on a normal day, but even that side swiped me. SO, after everything was over, the Bosnians- my buddies looked at me with disgust because I was one of them- American. Gone were the conversations spoken in English because I was present. I asked if everyone was OK. One guy said, why are you worried, you are American. I said I wasn't worried for myself but for them and then I left gut punched and out of breath.
Today was another day and I'm more liked than ever by them. I should be on a box of Wheatie's according to the Bosnians. Because I worried for them? Gone were the steotypes TCN, FN, AMericans, because I cared for them. WTH? What kind of a world do I live in? Does this make me less suspicious? Actually I go with the crowd that says anything for my safety. But again I will say that the good Lord did not put me here to blow me up. So when is it enough or how much is too much? I'll let you know another time...missile attack and going to the bunkers!
Nights ago on the tiny FOB-foreign operating base, that I lived on, the military conducted a raid on our camp. No ex-pats were bothered, (Americans, British). I watched as foreign nationals (FN's) shoved their possesions here and there to hide stuff that would be confiscated. Things like laptops, hard drives, cell phones, flash drives, I-pods.Not understanding what was happening, I thought that maybe a spy had gotten on the base. It was with extreme horror that they seemed to focus on the Bosnians and Kenyans on this particular raid. They searched and frisked..I watched in horror and disbelief as my buddies were taken away. The feeling was simular to your drunk and driving friends. They won't let you drive because it's their car and, "hey! I'm not that drunk". They are impervious to death. So, you try to follow them but, sure enough they get pulled over and when the police try to arrest them, you sit helplessly by wanting to run after the cop to defend them pleading..He really is a good guy. I've know him and I can vouch for him...please don't arrest him! Then your buddy pulls a gun and your resolve is shot to hell. So this was how it was. I watched as the US soldiers took one after another of my buddies into custody. After they searched them they were taken to their rooms for a search for prohibited items. I was asked to accompany the bomb sniffing dogs with their masters in the girls compound. I asked them what it was the dogs were searching for? Bombs! They were searching for BOMBS! They can be made with hairspray, strike matches, after shave, ect... I had no idea. It's amazing the crap that can be acquired to kill someone else. And when did Bosnia become the enemy? When did they make the super dangerous to Americans watch list? Am I stupid? Then I watched as the military brough out bags of stuff that I now knew could be used to mutilate me without a thought for my family, friends or children. Or was that harmless stuff used for their everyday comfort? I am suspicious of everyone on a normal day, but even that side swiped me. SO, after everything was over, the Bosnians- my buddies looked at me with disgust because I was one of them- American. Gone were the conversations spoken in English because I was present. I asked if everyone was OK. One guy said, why are you worried, you are American. I said I wasn't worried for myself but for them and then I left gut punched and out of breath.
Today was another day and I'm more liked than ever by them. I should be on a box of Wheatie's according to the Bosnians. Because I worried for them? Gone were the steotypes TCN, FN, AMericans, because I cared for them. WTH? What kind of a world do I live in? Does this make me less suspicious? Actually I go with the crowd that says anything for my safety. But again I will say that the good Lord did not put me here to blow me up. So when is it enough or how much is too much? I'll let you know another time...missile attack and going to the bunkers!
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