First Month Done

So there we have it, my first month is done; only five more to go! So far, it's all been going fairly well. It's still hot and dusty, but the work is pretty good, and the guys in my office are great. A good mate of mine is actually down into single digits before he leaves. He's from Halifax. He owns a sailboat which he keeps at the Bedford Marina, and he's going to get her out into the water when he gets back. I made him promise that when he leaves here, he will take two pictures and send them to me. The first one will be of him on the beach at Fujairai with his first beer in hand. The second has to be of him in Halifax Harbour, on his sailboat, with a Halifax landmark in the background. Mark is an awesome guy, and I will miss him being around, but he's done his time and deserves to enjoy summer in Halifax.

So I think that I've mentioned that I go to Mass on Saturdays because it's the Canadian priest who presides. Father Lloyd would be pleased, because for the last two Masses, I've been 'drafted' by Father into being a Minister of the Eucharist and a Reader. I have to admit that I was a bit worried about being a Minister of the Eucharist, but it went off just fine. I particularly enjoyed being a reader. It was the second reading for the Feast of Corpus Christi, so it was short, but it also gave me a bit of latitude for inflection. All good.

The photo above is one that Nicole took when she, Mark and I went out to the village. I put it in today because I think that people who complain that Afghanistan isn't 'our war' need a bit of a reality check. I always hear that we are in Afghanistan because the Americans asked us to be (as if our gov't can't make up its own mind). Honestly, we need to be here to help this country get back on its feet. Truth is, these kids in this photo really need our help. Without the Gov't of Afghanistan and ISAF, this place would be in a very bad way. Just think about it.

Take care and God bless,

Until next time,
Kent

The School

So a couple of days after I landed, Nicole, Mark and I went to visit a school which is just outside of the KAF, but inside the second perimeter. Here I am with a group of the children. They really love having their photos taken, and are real hams...Much like one of my beloved uncles (Hi Doug!!!)

The first photo is of the apartment block where the families live, and the second is of the 'village' bakery. Basically this is the village where the chaps out of the local ANA base live.
Later,
Kent

Hey Again!

OK, sorry it's been a while, but we're keeping busy here.

Thanks for the comments Karen and Mosey; it's good to know that someone is reading this stuff!!!

So, I know that I said that it was hot before, but that was nothing. We've started to hit 40 in the shade, and let me tell you, it's brutal! I had to use the 'portaloo' AKA 'blue rocket' today, and for the first time I know how the colonel in "Bridge on the River Kwai" felt when he was locked in the oven ;)

That said, my mom managed to send her extra camera (it's pretty sweet, because it's really small and light and fits well in my shirt pocket) so I'm going to try to see if I can post some photos on the weekend when I get a couple of moments.

Apart from that, the bad dudes have tried to land a few 'thumpers' into the camp, but as my Aussie co-worker says: "no worries mate!" Of course, one worries that they will get it right one of these times, but, well, enough said.

Well, I'm going to post this up, and on the weekend I will try to get a couple of pics up.

Take care all,

K