Life is crazy and in Afghanistan it's no exception. As I plan my trip to visit my family back home halfway into my contract, I reflect on all the things that are and of all the things I will leave behind and all the things I've yet to see.
I will leave behind friends from all over the world. People that I've grown close to and have been through rough times with. (example: running out of food, water, supplies together). Also, a man walked up to me and called me by name. I'm thinking," who the heck is he?" Turns out it was a guy that I talked to over 4 days when we were holded up in a bunker with others during many missile attacks. He made a friend there and saw me as his long lost buddy and so it was. People move around so quickly here. It is not unusual to catch up with someone at another base. How do you leave them
behind? You grow so close and then move on, to see them again and pick up where you left off... but move on we must.
When I come back, I have more to experience on my adventure. I have the dreaded Camel Spiders to see. Word is they run very fast, always sneaking into your shadow to stay cool. They have big powerful pinchers and they can't kill you but can give you a nasty infection, plus they're suppose to be on the big side. Very scary! Then they have Brown Recluse Spiders here. I saw a bite that was as big as an extended hand with an ulcer the size of a penny. It was only a couple of hours old. To treat this the Doc would have to dig the flesh out and stitch it up then use antibiotics and pray. Also, I am praying I will miss the Taranula migration. They have a path and nothing gets into their way and it's over, under, through. They also have kangaroo rats here. Doesn't that sound cute and like something you don't want to miss. Except, they're as big as cats. The mice are kindda cute. They are tan with white underbellies and round ears, but again they're rodents. Then there's cats and dogs that you can't pet or play with because this country is #1 in terms of rabies. Camels will be out and about, but you can't go near them in case their humps have been equipped with exposives. Same with sheep and goats.
What a life!
That's another thing... This winter has been harsh here this year, a new kind of hell. I told someone that it was the worse conditions that I've experienced so far. The Afghani's are dying, especially children and it was featured on CNN. At times we don't have heat or lights or power...They never had our comforts, and not in clothes or shoes either. My first snow, I was cute to see the children as they saw snow for the first time- playing in it with their bare feet and no coats, how sad. But when you think it can't get any worse, the sun rises and it's a new kind of hell. Conditions, limited clothing, no personal space, always on- no time to relax, no time to reflect, no "ME" time, (24/7 for a year- minus R&R), and so many come down with illnesses to get a little space- the tiniest of breaks. And then, the continued and always changing paperwork, theft, blame, accusations, threats, backstabbing- whip, whip (NO not from fellow campgoers- that would never be tolerated from each other!). Food & water shortages, sickness and no medical care, limited time to worship and some must do it in secret. No reinforcements or supportive people in charge...so tired... Is there anyone that we can turn to?
Missile attacks and ground attacks. Taliban everywhere. We are in a war zone and sometimes it's hard to differentiate who the good guys really are. We give to those that need: our clothes, shoes, socks, hats, scarves and do without ourselves. We pinch cardboard from the garbage to line our walls for warmth and to keep the mud off the floors while others need it to line their shoes. It doesn't work or maybe just a little. And to top it off, everyone worries about the threat of write ups and being fired and
will "they" let us return from R&R to work again. It's crazy and an unrealistic way to live. To expect humans to live productively and constantly under these conditions. But, the silver lining occurs and we still we have each other and I can't tell you how it happens, but we make it work and we care for each other and become a family far from home.
