First Site Visit

A shot from the Chinook

Here comes my ride

This is my favorite picture

This sure beats a convoy

I just realized that I have been here for about a month and a half. Time seems to run together here and it is very hard to stay on top of what day it is. In a way that is good because it seems to be going by fast. In a way it’s bad because it is easy to lose a day and each day is a slow but steady step towards progress. If one is lost valuable mentoring time is gone.

I recently made a trip to Salerno to do a site visit for a program we are starting. In fact, I just got back today. It is in the eastern province of Khowst. The day before I left Lightning Gardez was exploding (literally) with activity. The day after I get to Salerno Khowst tried to explode. Several suicide bombers were killed in Khowst before they could detonate their bombs. It’s always good to hear they were taken care of before they detonated themselves taking innocent lives with them. The same day we got hit with mortars and RPG’s. When the first one hit I was in my bunk with my headphones in. I literally thought someone was shaking my bed to get my attention…until the sirens started going off. I threw my gear on and headed over to the hospital to see if there was anything I could do. I ended up pulling perimeter security and got to watch another mortar land about 50 meters, plus or minus, in front of me. At the same time this was going on a plane with some of the New England Patriots cheerleaders was trying to take off. I can just imagine what they were thinking. They were at the FOB for a USO tour.
It’s good to get back to my little closet of a room on Lightning. I hit eight different FOBs on my way to Salerno and it's nice to be "home." It may be small, but it has things in it that make it feel somewhat like home. I have enough of my family represented to remind me exactly why I am over here doing this. It does not make it any easier to be away from them, but I have seen enough smiling faces and shook enough hands to know what we are doing here is a good thing. Each day I have a conversation with a different ANA soldier and learn more about this culture and why they live the way they do. It’s amazing how they survive.
We are working on some more big projects. Some may actually make the news. I’ll keep you posted with details as I can. It would be nice to turn on the news and see something positive about this country.

Dear Mr. Bad Guy...

I wanted to express my gratitude to the wake up call received at O-shit-30. While I do appreciate your concern about us being here I would like to prescribe a few remedies for your insomnia and urge to wake us that are sleeping. Both are rather simple and differ in levels of effectiveness. The first one comes in pill form and goes by the trade name Ambien. It is easy to take and works within 15 minutes. The second method is much more permanent and comes in the form of a F-15. As you are well aware, it's effects are immediate and by far my method of choice in regards to your sleeping disorder. Not only does it accomplish the task at hand, but it provides a fireworks display that would rival any 4th of July celebration. Either way, sweet dreams.

A World Away

They "bling" out everything from tractors to trucks
A traditional bathroom...yeah, I think I'll hold it

My workplace for the next six months

Another day has gone by in the world of Afghanistan. I say world because at times it feels like we stepped into a time machine and ended up in a different world. We are trying to do our best in a place that is totally foreign to us in every sense of the word. Judging by the look on the Afghan people’s faces they feel the same when we try to explain how things are in the states. From complex things like handling a trauma to something simple like picking up a broom in the hospital hallway the level of difficulty seems to register the same. I guess it could be worse. I could be in a kindergarten level map reading class like some Lt. I know. That’s right bunkie, I’m talking about you. Before I get too ahead of myself I need to explain my staff that I work with.
In the states pharmacy school is a very daunting task to accomplish. It takes a certain level of intellect and a great deal of determination. Here you just have to know the right people. One of my “pharmacists” was enlisted and not a pharmacist last year. This year he is a major AND a pharmacist. He comes from a wealthy family. He hasn’t produced any documentation, but I’m sure that is just as easy to procure. He is my problem child at the moment. He insists that this country will never change and we are wasting our time. I have to remind myself about the history of this war torn country and not take it personally. I didn’t travel thousands of miles leaving my family at home so I could come and get a door closed in my face. I’m sure it will be the first of many. My predecessor explained his trials and tribulations to me and explained you just have to keep kicking them down if they don’t open up. I can do that. When it comes to expectations I told my staff I have one word: progress. I will accept nothing less.
The rest of my staff consists of a couple nurses that were assigned to the pharmacy by their commander and a few more legitimate pharmacists. A few of them are on board with the vision we are trying to create. Hopefully they can help me persuade my problem child. If not it could be an even longer six months than expected. Damn dry country!

Different, But The Same

I've been in country for a short time and already feel as though I have learned volumes. One lesson taught me as different as we are, they are still people just like us. Recently one of our interpreters lost his 5 month old daughter which is a perfect reflection of their infant mortality rate. We had the honor of being invited to what would be the equivalent to a memorial service for her. It was as heart wrenching as if it were one of our own. Grieving knows no cultural boundries.