It has been a while since my last blog, sorry about that, but time seems to have little meaning over here and seems to pass by very quickly! Some good and bad has happened since my last post and I will try to fill you in on the latest:
Since I last wrote my battle buddy and I have finally moved into permanent barracks! They are double-stacked cargo containers with two people to each container. The size is 7x16 feet with a door on each end and a 14x10 inch window next to the “front” door. My bb and I joke that it is like living in a hallway! We have just enough room for our two beds and two wall lockers with a 4x4foot central “living room” between the beds! We can just fit our two chairs as we take in a movie on my computer……we can get quite comfy by putting our pillows on a drawer……we call it our “two room flat with private theater.” The best part of the move to hard structures is two-fold: 1) we no longer have to listen to the endless drone of generators 2) we are better protected from incoming mortars as our rooms double as bunkers. We have a further walk to the post office, laundry and church but the walk to work and the chow hall is much shorter. And, the best part of all is that our bathroom and showers are now indoors! No more trekking to the porta potty or the outside shower hut! Even though we are still limited to 3 minute showers, having them inside has us feeling like royalty!
I continue to be busy working at the Troop Medical Clinic, taking care of our soldiers as well as having to provide care to Taliban detainees. This second part of my mission is not very pleasant and can be very daunting to say the least. I try to keep in mind that the detainees we treat have information that can be used to help our soldiers and that helps me keep my attitude focused on the good part of my mission. Much of the detainee mission is secret so there is little more I can say, but any prayers that are sent on behalf of me and my fellow soldiers will be very welcomed. The type of people and the danger they present can wear on one’s soul.
I will be flying about Afghanistan on a few missions over the next few months and I look forward to seeing some more of this country. I also look forward to meeting new people and I am very fortunate to have this opportunity. I will try to post a few more details upon my return, but for now, very little can be said before the mission is complete.
On a sad note, one of the nurses was KIA last week when a mortar hit inside the FOB. It was instantaneous so he did not suffer. We were all quite shocked and we are still coming to grips with the loss of one of our own. Please send your prayers to the family of Cpt McClimens, he leaves a wife and a small daughter.
Otherwise, I spend my days working, often 24 hour shifts - I get two days off this month so I am pretty happy and looking forward to another trip to BAF and maybe the bazaar. On my down time I work out at the gym and try to sweep the endless amount of dust from the floor of my new home……it seems to find every nook and cranny with great rapidity! The food at the chow hall seems to be getting better, which is a sign I have been here long enough to forget what real food tastes like! I have currently had chicken and corn for 23 days in a row…..the record continues.
I am finally able to send a few pictures with this posting. With all the security it is rare to be allowed a camera and even then we are not able to sync cameras with the computers! So, when I am able to take pictures, I have to transfer them to my computer (that does not have internet access), transfer them to a non-rewritable CD, gain permission to bring the CD into my work place where I can place the CD in one approved computer that has internet access. Then I write my blog, transfer a few pictures to go with it and send the whole thing to my son who then posts it on my blog for me! Whew! Ironically, I do not have access to my own blog……so another giant thanks to my son for being my blog manager!
The pictures this time are of my new home, the view from my new home and a picture of me and our “new ambulance”. I am also attaching a picture of a nomadic shepherd I saw one day while I was walking the perimeter. I was able to climb up one of the guard towers to take the shot so the view would not be blocked by the ever present fence/concertina wire. I am also sending one of the American flag flying over the FOB……
That’s it for now. Thank you to everyone that has sent me goodies……it is wonderful to get things form home! And, my medics love it when I share the home-baked cookies! J
Blessings to all,
Michell
My New Accommodations
Nomadic Sheep Herders
No comments:
Post a Comment