It is hard to believe that I have been at Kandahar Air Field for 4 days. There is truth in the saying that "Time flys when you at busy (or is that having fun?)". Well, my sleep quality continues to be inhibited by jetlag, the new environment, and a roommate with mild sleep apnea. Collectively, these factors lead to me having 4-5 hours of sleep. On top of that I now have sinus issues and a nasty headaches. I visited the local clinic which is staffed by at least 6 Soldiers that I served with in Houston, Dallas, Natick, MA, Germany, or Washington D.C. What a small military we have. The good SGT, said Sir, "you have the Kandahar Kude", what?? I was told that it is apart of the acclimation to "Dusty" Kandahar.
Kandahar in the local Pashtun language means "sweet city", sweet obvious has several meanings.
We work behind the wire "fence for the non military folks", however just beyond the wire is another story. The best way to describe our senario, consider a caged Ape at the local zoo..you and your family are protected by a small fenced cage. The Ape seems very friendly however under the wrong circumstances, the outcome would be significantly difficult or not. Some apes without the fence would be as friendly as the caged ape, others would take advantage of the new situation.
Nevertheless, we are well trained and expected to operate as if the neither the fence nor the Ape on the other side of the fence, exists. This is truely an excellent example of human survival at the core of all of us. Humans are truly adaptable.
Finally, we said farewell to one of fallen Heroes yesterday evening. Hundreds of Soldiers from across the world (NATO Forces) joined in to say, farewell to one of our fallen Marines.
6 comments:
It is a small world...hard to believe you have been in Kandahar for four days already! Sleepless nights and dusty surroundings will lead to headaches. Hang in there and give it some time! L
Time does fly when you're running on adrenaline all day and night. Wait until you get home you won't be able to sleep because it's so quiet.
You'll get so used to the sounds, that you'll lie awake at night listening for those sounds. We used to hear generators running all night long, so it was quite the adjustment trying to sleep without it.
Glad to hear you are amongst friends, but as you know their really your family, the bonds you form will last a lifetime.
Yes the dust will keep you clogged at first but soon you won't remember what it felt like not to have dust in your nostrils or as a special ingredient sprinkled over the food. Gotta love what you do! Take Care nephew, we love you and are proud of you! Whoaaaaa Army Strong!
IT'S WONDERFUL TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU. TAKE CARE OF THAT SINUS PROBLEM AND GET AS MUCH SLEEP AS POSSIBLE. IAM GLAD TO HERE SOME OF YOUR FRIENDS ARE VISTING IN KANDAHAR. WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU IN OUR PRAYERS. LOVE MOM.
thank for the messages
My cell phone has poor reception in my office. I have to run to the door to answer my phone. My office number is (337)217-4540 ext. 2630.
e-mail mary.jacob@cpsb.org
Still rooming with OSA boy? Share with him these self-help tips:
- avoid supine sleep; easiest by wearing a t-shirt with a pocket backwards to bed, and with a tennis ball or? in the pocket.
- go to bed with the nose as clear and open as possible: blow out all the dust, use nasal saline, steriod nasal spray (NOT afrin), breathrite strips
- avoid alcohol near bedtime
- get enough sleep
- exercise daily
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