Unpacked

So I was looking back at my posts to see what day we had actually arrived at training so I could celebrate the one year anniversary of the beginning of what had to be the most interesting year of my life . Instead what I found was a post from 19 January 2009 which was described as "Gucci Gear Day". This was the day that we got issued all of the extra clothing and gear which we would be required to take with us. Now what I found blog-worthy about this was that only this past Saturday night - 2 January 2010 - I actually unpacked it all from the 2 boxes I had been carrying around in the back of my car and the A-bag that I highjacked from Ben which was sitting in the bottom of my closet. Since its been around 25 degrees down here lately I did appreciate the many sets of warm weather gear that I found (although it would have been useful during Snowpocalypse) along with a hat and a pair of gloves. I also found a couple glo-sticks (aka cy-looms), a NVG mount for my helmet, 2 9-millimeter magazines, and 8 pairs of socks. I have no idea how I came to acquire the extra NVG mount and the magazines (since I'm fairly certain I turned in whatever I was supposed to). The socks were an interesting development because when I got back I wondered how it was possible I had no socks that matched since I knew I had bought a pack of plain whites ones before I left. I finally resigned myself to the fact that they were gone just before Christmas and bought some new ones. Well it was one year ago today that I arrived at training and what a year it was.

Had I Only Known...

So the reason that I haven't done a post to let everyone know I'm back is that I'm pretty sure that everyone that reads this blog I saw within the first 48 hours of being back in the states. However, some felt that I needed to do a wrap up post so here it is. The first thing I would like to mention is that I am now no longer allergic to bananas. You will see why this is important latter but I would like to point out I was surrounded by bananas (and at the time, disgusted by them) the entire time I was in Afghanistan - they always had them. So the trip home was largely uneventful. I got out of Afghanistan less than 24 hours after I started my trek - a point to note is that all those trying to leave Afghanistan should not even try to make reservations or space block yourself, it is absolutely pointless. Just show up at the airport and you will eventually get out - probably faster than if you tries to plan it all out after spending endless time staring at the schedule or bribing people for their GDSS access. I spent many days at Manas which would have been even nicer had it not been freezing cold and my room had not lacked heat (which was probably because I had to beg the lady to avoid a tent even after she threatened me with a roomate, I almost had to turn on the tears). The flight was LONG and at every stop they had us get off the plane and wait around for a couple of hours. So I've been back for 2 weeks now and enjoying all the good things the US has to offer. So one of the first things I do when I'm back is hit Starbucks (obiviously). Lying on the counter when I order my coffee is a large stack of bananas. So when Kelly shoved said banana in my face previously I didn't not have the usual adverse reaction of horrific throat scratching so I figured why not give one a try. And wouldn't you know - no reaction what so ever. So the moral of this story is had I tried a banana in Afghanistan I perhaps would not have felt like a malnourished, starving African child the entire time I was there - lesson learned.

Overheard While Redeploying

This is a random selection of quotations overhead by me over the past 2 days of traveling. I made it to Manas in record time - 22 hours from wake up to bed time. Got all my stuff turned in and now I'm just enjoying the good food and fast internet. It's also 50 degrees and raining - quite a difference from sunny and 115.

"What day is it?" 

"Did you say showtime is 7 hours prior to departure?" followed by "why?" followed by "you mean I have to take everything out of all my bags?" 

"Helllloooo MSGT Lindsay" 

"It's 2am - who wants to turn their gear in, raise your hands" (all hands went up)

"Holy crap its cold here" 

"I need stamps on your paperwork from PERSCO, Log Plans and JPRC before I can put you on the flight"

"Just come back in an hour and a half" 

"I ain't sleeping in no tent" 

"Just because you're a fighter squadron doesn't mean you're special" 

"What time is it?"

"Shit - I forgot my hat again!" 

"I don't see any curry here"

"I'm not sure I can stand up right now" (after 2 beers)

"Ma'am I'm going to need you to declare your contraband at this time" followed by "how do I know these are really vitamins?" 

"Your towel linted all over me" followed by "because I stole it from you" 

"It's because you came from ISAF - things are jacked up there" 

  

 

Countdown

So they gave us rooms but I opted to stay in the tent - it's not so bad really. 5 more days and wake up now until I leave here (flight schedules pending, they only tell you 3 days out). Nothing much really going on. The new boss arrived and seems really great, too bad I won't be working for him. I can't talk any more shit about the food than I already have on this blog but for the last time it really sucks.  The espresso machine at the coffee place has been broken for over 2 weeks now - that makes for a very unpleasant me in the morning. However, the new boss did bring me some Starbucks (!) that I can make myself (I told you he was really great).  That's about it for now. The blogs should pick up once I start traveling again so stay tuned. 

Life in the Tent: Week 1

Well we have been in the tents for a week now. We were able to go back into our old building and get the rest of our stuff earlier in the week. The problem is now that there really isn't room for everyone and the 200 pounds of baggage they brought with them. There is also no place to lock anything up so valuables must be carried around. They said we should be able to get into a room this week. Either way I'm out of here (at this point that means Kabul) in less than 2 weeks. I'll probably spend a couple of days at Bagram (back in a tent) and then head to Manas for my flight out.  Other than that its been pretty quiet around here - which is a surprise considering the elections yesterday.  Hopefully not more excitement before I leave. 

The Things They Carried

So what would you grab of your belongings if you only had 10 minutes?  We got to find out on Saturday after a suicide car bomber (that's an SVBIED for all you military types) destroyed the building we live in.  No one was hurt but they told us we couldn't live there until after the building was assessed by the engineers.  So they gave out new "room" assignments - room being code for a tent - and told us we could gather in the mid-afternoon and they would let us in to grab our linen and few personal items.  They assured us that we would be able to get back in a later date to grab the rest of our stuff so we needed to keep the baggage to a minimum on this trip. Well once you stepped inside you knew there was a good chance we are never going to get back in there. Walls and windows were blown out so there was glass all over the floor; a few rooms were missing exterior walls. Inside walls had buckled and a large majority of the ceiling tiles were on the floor.  Our room was by far on the better side: only one panel of one wall was buckled out, the air conditioning unit was precariously still hanging on to the wall, and the window was open but still had its glass.  Unfortunately my stuff was all out in the open which meant it was all over the floor and my small side table has tipped over and spilled it contents as well. 

So now you have 10 minutes to grab all your stuff and none of it is where you thought it is.  Clothing was essential - uniforms, t-shirts, socks, and the like. Also grabbed all the civilian clothing I had any attachment too (like my new jeans) just in case plus a bomb isn't going to stop us from laying out in the sun on Fridays so shorts were a necessary item.  Toiletries were next on my list along with a spare tube of toothpaste and extra bar of soap.  Computer, ipod, cell phone were next into the bags.  Then came the mild panic - what if I never get back in here? Ok so flip flops, DVDs, dirty laundry, laundry detergent (but alas, the dryer sheets were forgotten), chap stick, Splenda.  The things that were for sure being left behind: rucksack, winter gear, chem gear, and AF uniforms.  I have to admit that Splenda packets beat out extra body armor but that's just the way it goes.  More to come.         

Winding Down

Time here moves impossibly slow, I think its the 12+ hour workdays. Although, I'm trying to have less of those these days not that my crazy boss has departed.  It's been a full week of freedom and what a great week it has been. Things are much less tense and much less stressful now that he he gone. I think I got to go out for good food like 4 or 5 times in the past week and been getting back to my room (I called it "home" today and Capt F corrected me) at a reasonable hour.  But it really doesn't matter since I only have 6 weeks left - it seems like no time at all. Every day there is another farewell party because everyone is heading back home. Most of the people I went to training with leave in the middle of August with only a few stragglers in Sept.  In reality things are picking up here A LOT. Lots of new people, faster pace, longer hours (because our lives should consist of only working and sleeping).  But for me things are winding down. It's about time to start packing up and sending stuff home (it's Apt 2101 now) so its there when I arrive. I need to take some pictures - I have absolutely zero.