18 FEB – 24 FEB: In Kabul

Ok well the pictures will come tomorrow. I was in Kabul at various bases for a week. Let me just start out by saying that I thank God for everything I have. We flew on a little plane from Bagram down to Kabul international airport; a 7 minute flight. The Afghanistan landscape is very barren. The first day I got there I did some interviews on base and met a neat Russian guy who moved to the states and then joined the Air Force. He is married to a Mexican now! Talk about the atypical American family. Anyway later that day we went off base to a school they were working on to give out clothes that came from NYC. We had a ton of protection as I was fully suited up and there were about 25 of us. The school was the shell of a building but good by their standards. The kids basically made me cry as I thought about my niece Emma. We were there about an hour and it was cool. I will post a ton of pictures tomorrow. I know I have been promising them but it takes a little to prepare them and all. Anyway my first trip off base was very eye opening. Kabul is very dirty and basically nothing more than 3 story buildings here and there. The Russians and Taliban bombed and shot the sh*t out of the town throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Over 2 million civilians have died here in that time period. We got back to base and I really felt relieved having survived and accomplished a trip off base. On Wednesday day we went to the logistics command and central movement agency where I had tea with an afghan general. I also met and interviewed like every Afghan colonel there. I will try to use the footage but it’s going to be hard because we have to rely heavily on translators. They speak Dari which is the Afghan language. At this place there is a ton of Russian metal and old vehicles left over that the Afghans will not throw away. Scrap metal is like gold to them but the army owns it so they cannot sell it. I was on top of this truck shooting some video when this old man popped his head out of a caboose like container that he lives in. he had a long straight white beard with weird white eyes that must be in bad shape. It was like out of National Geographic or something. We got to see the new living quarters for the ANA (Afghan National Army) and they were like what I lived in for basic training to be honest. That night we stayed at the Airport which is also a base. NATO and ISAF run the base so Euros are used and many Europeans are there. I took special note of the Czech female types. Oops did I type that? Speaking of women had I came here before committing to Michelle I may have been able to bring one home!! Just joking but my point is that the men here are allowed up to 4 wives. I told an Afghan general I could not handle the one I have and he told me he has the secret to 2 or more as he has 2!!!! Anyway our stay at KIA was the best as the living conditions were brand new buildings and all. On Thursday we got up and headed to a different compound where I met up with a few friends that I met while in training in NJ. I stayed in these big apartment like buildings across the street from base. I felt like I was in Germany in 1946! It was very James Bond like as far as the Soviet Union falling and all. I will get to more of that in a second. So on Thursday we went to this other Afghan command where I saw a warehouse they built. Then they had a women’s council with our female service members. A female Afghan general showed up and boy was she imposing. It was awesome to see these women voice their opinions and all. Its clear though that they have a long way to go. That story is going to be awesome once I put it together. I will post links to these stories once they are done and on the web like I did for Bo Bice. Friday they had a market and its like the day off in Kabul because that’s the Muslims holy day. I got a nice gun holder for 20 bucks. I plan on selling the other one I got on ebay. Anyway Friday was a chill day and I enjoyed hanging with my one buddy from NJ. I am trying to get back down there to do a story with him as he had some very uplifting intel for me. Nothing you guys need to know about; but you can ask once I get home. Saturday was real neat as we went to where they keep their food and saw how they were building up this one base. Then we went to where they keep the fuels. It was on the outskirts of Kabul and was originally built by the Russians. I saw a bunch of dogs there. One had 3 legs as it bit its other one off because it got infected. We had afghan food for lunch and it was good. Meat, bread, cauliflower, fries, and some sauce that was like watery mayonnaise. I ate the whole meal and was very full. No stomach issues which was an accomplishment for me. Anyway we were in the hills and they have these big tanks only 2 of 8 left from the Russians as we bombed the rest. It was neat and the pictures will show you that. Driving there was nuts as we went through the market. Kids carry kids, animals run around, and its dirty as hell. I have never seen so many crappy Toyota corollas. We drive like a bat out of hell and basically go as fast as we want and push people aside. Its nuts. The adrenaline of a war ravaged area is a mix of knowing you can do just about whatever you want (ok more than in the states lets say) and knowing the next step, breath, picture, or smoke you take may be your last. I am embellishing a little as things have been very quiet and safe but people are still dying every day here. The scariest part was every time we went out they told us about security issues. That certainly puts things in perspective. Sunday was the icing on the cake. We got up and went to this forward operation base (FOB) on the outskirts of Kabul. I did some shooting there and then we went up to the Queens old palace. This place was shot to crap and a shell of what it was but boy was it impressive. I got pictures and video so I will post those tomorrow. It was taken over by the Russians as there was a newspaper stuck k to the wall with the date of March 28 1985 on it!!!! The king’s palace was not far away and in just as bad shape. Here’s a picture of the palace. We drove back to Bagram after this and it was a fast wild ride. I was glad to be back safe and all. Yesterday and today I basically have been getting settled in and all. Thanks to everyone for the packages. If I get one more bottle of hand lotion, or moisturizer I think I will just stay in my room on the weekends and lube my whole body in order to use the stuff. Michelle will like having the availability of all of it once I get back. She uses that stuff more than me. I mean skin does get dry here but not until summer mostly. It’s been getting warmer though. Into the 50s so…. All of the snow has melted. Well that’s about it for today. Shorter post tomorrow with a ton of pictures. Rob