Greetings from Kabul
The saedigh.com foreign correspondent has filed his first report from Afghanistan:
Greetings from Kabul!
It’s been almost two months since I’ve arrived in Kabul and everyone has settled into their routines. I’ve ended up switching jobs from working with the National Command Element to going back to Force Protection Company. Fortunately, my boss was able to claw me back and although I am just working in Company Headquarters, it’s still much more enjoyable since I’m back with the infantry. We have just recently changed from our green uniforms into our arid-region, or desert-pattern uniforms. For some I suppose it’s a novelty, but for me it’s just two new pairs of boots to break in. It is much warmer here than it is in Canada, although there is still some snow in the mountains. On a clear day the temperature usually stays around 20-25 degrees (Celsius), but can drop below zero some nights. It has rained almost every day here during March and although it should be somewhat of a relief considering Afghanistan has been experiencing a 7-year drought, the abnormal amount of rain has caused significant destruction in the form of flooding in the central regions of the country. The worst that’s happened here in regards to flooding is that some of the guys in my tent have gotten their carpets wet.
There hasn’t been that much excitement since we’ve been here. I’ve managed to get out of the camp a few times to have a look around the city. The destruction is unbelievable. Large portions of Kabul were completely destroyed during the civil war period of 1994-2001. The Russians rarely entered Kabul in an overt military presence, although from the camp we can see an old Russian Officer’s mess on the periphery of the city. It’s been gutted since their withdrawal, but it was likely an impressive structure at the time of the occupation. A couple of weeks ago I made it up to this place called TV Hill. It’s a large hill in the center of town where the local radio and television stations keep their communications equipment. The view was impressive and there was lots of evidence that some fierce fighting had taken place there. The site contained thousands of shell casings from small-arms to anti aircraft guns and 150mm artillery pieces. There were even a few unexploded 150mm shells and 106mm rockets as well as some more sinister evidence of conflict. In addition to this, the entire south side of the hill was mined. Unfortunately, during the Afghan New Year’s celebrations (called Nowrus) last Monday, a local teenager lost his legs trying to climb up the south side of the hill.
So far, the time has passed quickly and I am looking forward to my leave block when Sarah and I will go to Tanzania to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. Take care and I will be back in August,
Mike.
Comments
Good to hear from you Mike! We think about you all the time. Take care of yourself. Oh, and no pressure, but TAKE CARE OF MY SISTER TOO when you are in Tanzania ;-) You've met our parents but here's a tip: Mom is the real threat if any harm comes to one of her daughters... did Tim mention the fact that at our wedding she pulled him aside and said "If you hurt her I'll kill you". She later claims she was kidding but Tim's still not really sure (and I think it was her plan all along to keep him guessing ;-)). Keep the reports and photos coming too - the pictures speak a thousand words and it's very interesting to hear what it is like and what you are seeing over there.
Posted by: heather at March 27, 2005 08:49 PM