My journey in Afghanistan

My journey in Afghanistan has been amazing. There were good times and bad times. There were bad smells and good ones. I must say that I have experienced more bad ones than good. Yes… 6 months without the scent of flowers, perfume in the air as someone passed by in the hallways, or amazing smell of freshly cooked food; fish, steak, etc. Most of what my nose encountered was less than desirable. Nevertheless, life is good.

By far the infamous “Poo Pond” or as the French might say “Lac du Merde”, tops the all time list of worst smells imaginable.

The scent of fresh “Poo” is very distinguishable. It is described by many as combination of a toxic waste dump and restroom that you would immediately walk out of and return back to it in one or two hours, or locate an alternative toilet if at all possible.

The signature photo of ones stay at Kandahar Airfield (KAF) is a photo of the “Poo Pond” in the background. It is as famous to the precious few inhabitants of KAF as a photograph of oneself in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Statue of Liberty in New York City.

It is rumored that a Marine since decided to engage in a swim across the infamous pond. Whether or not this is true, I wonder.

While, this photo is evidence that I engaged in a brief stay in the bio-hazardous pond of KAF, or is it?

Was Rob in the pond or photo shopped into it? You look and decide for yourself. My roommate is a computer geek!

With love from KAF, only 2 weeks remaining. What will I do without the notorious aroma of the Poo Pond?

What will I do?

How to Look Scary in a Rough Neighborhood

I decided to blog about this today. We laughed for hours about this. Not sure if it will work in Kandahar City, maybe Chicago or New Orleans.

Step 1 Consider wearing a hooded sweatshirt or hooded coat with the hood pulled over your head. When people can't really see your face, they are more wary of approaching you. With your hood up and your head down, you become an unknown quantity on the streets.

Step  2 Look people in the eye if they approach you. Looking away is always viewed as a sign of weakness. Feeling safe is a matter of displaying confidence.



Step  3 Talk to yourself as you walk. When people think that you are mentally unstable, they have a tendency to leave you alone. This may sound silly, but making people nervous before you allow them to make you nervous is a valuable weapon when you have no other defense.


Step 4 Walk confidently and determinedly without smiling. Walk tall with your shoulders back and chest out, exuding confidence that you may not feel. Even if you are lost, look and walk like you know where you are and where you are going. Confidence is the most intimidating thing that you possess under these circumstances.

How to USE the Watercloset (WC) or Toilet for us Americans.

Relaxing on the Broadwalk after a long day of work

It is always nice when we take a few minutes to relax and fellowship with our folks away from their family and friends. We normally try to get together when one of our brothers or sisters is departing from Afghanistan. I am looking forward to my cigar and fake beer soon.

Although, most of us are not "real smokers" an occasional cigar is symbolic of down time. Along with the cigar comes "near beer, 0% alcohol" is also symbolic of the times that we enjoyed back in the states. Friendship is one of the few luxuries that we have in the battlefield.  My friend Andy from Louisiana and I would often have a symbolic "cigar" and discuss home. Unfortunately, he departed to another location in Afghanistan. We miss Andy!

Alcohol is prohibited in most Muslim countries because of Quranic cautions against the drink. All service members are not allowed to consume alcoholic beverages as a measure to honor and respect local laws. In addition, it would not be a good thing to have 100,000 young men and women with loaded semi-auto weapons drinking.

I am proud to serve with such brave and capable men and women in Afghanistan.  I look forward to a safe return home soon.

Visit to Afghanistan's Capital, Kabul

Recently, I had an opportunity to Visit Kabul Afghanistan and the headquarters for US Forces in Afghanistan.  It was an interesting experience. The city resembled cities that I visited in Northern India. Lots of people on the roads, traffic, and animals crossing the street. The buildings are not in great condition.  Most of the houses and structures resemble those of other third world or underdeveloped countries that I have visited in Africa and India.  Most people are very poor and live on a few dollars per day.  

Kabul is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan, located in the Kabul Province. The population of Kabul metropolitan area is 2.8 million people.

Kabul is about 3,500 years old (looks like it :)), many empires have long fought over the city for its strategic location along the trade routes of South and Central Asia.

Public and private schools in the city reopened since 2002 after they were shut down or destroyed from the fighting in the 1980s to the late 1990s. Boys and girls are strongly encouraged to attend schools but many more schools are needed not only in Kabul but throughout the country.

One day maybe Kabul will be a major tourist attraction, however, I would not recommend it for now. Visit Paris, New York, Lake Charles, LA, or London for the time being.

 
Peace, Love, and Happiness.

My Favorite Poem "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

Here, strait means narrow, restricted. To escape from “the fell clutch of circumstance” and “bludgeonings of chance,” the speaker must pass through a narrow gate. The author believes he can do so—in spite of the punishments that fate has allotted him—because his iron will refuses to bend.

This poem sums up a way of life and the responsibilities that we have in life. It is by far better to face up to your actions and the results thereof. If you are willing to take the credit for the positive results of your actions, you must be equally prepared to take the blame for the negative.

I think that he was trying to say that we can in some control our future. No one else can prevent our down falls in life.

Many people have been inspired by this poem when faced with challenging circumstances. 

It full meaning has been debated by scholars and others for centuries.


4th July 2010.
Kandahar Afghanistan

Happy Independence Day

With all the cook outs, fireworks, and parades going on this weekend, there is a deeper meaning to the Fourth of July that is sometimes easy to overlook.

"For me, it means family time, and appreciating the ones that you love,".  Celebrating July 4th from the battlefield is ironic and profound.

The true meaning of Independence Day takes us back more than 230 years when the Founding Fathers adopted the Declaration of Independence, and we started a very rocky road to freedom.  Along the way we refined freedom many times, we engaged in a Civil War to end slavery and to unite our Country, Vietnam Era, WW1 and 2, Civil Rights Movement,  and granted civil liberties to women and minorities populations, etc.  Any road to freedom and independence is a challenge and Americans die and sacrifice along the way. 

Independence Day is a dynamic holiday! Although we celebrate it once a year with parades, cook outs, etc, we have to remember that it did not happen over night. We also have to remember that we continue to refine and redefine freedom and independence every day.

It's very heart-wrenching to see a lot of our fallen comrades, as well as people sacrificing their lives for us to enjoy the Fourth.  Men and Women have been doing this since the beginning of our country and will have to continue this unfortunate sacrifice because freedom and civil liberties are dynamic and not free and change as we change or as others' without the same prospective and desired way of life... force us to change and adapt. However, we maintain the notion that "America believes in FREEDOM".

The day that we decide not to adapt will be the day that our freedoms and lives that we know it and enjoy it;  begin to change in a way that may compromise our freedom.

War is not desired and not very popular, it has never been desired and popular.  However, I am proud to be here in Afghanistan serving our country along side of thousands of like minded Americans to ensure that our children and their children will be able to celebrate July 4th in the future.  You may ask "Is it possible for us not to have the freedom and liberties that would not allow us to celebrate Christmas, July 4th, etc?".

Of course it is possible, if we become passive and allow others whether outside or inside America to slowly erode our freedom.

Recently, a family and their close friends & villagers were preparing for a wedding celebration in a nearby Afghan village.  Unknown to them, a suicide bomber walked in, detonated a bomb killing many and wounding many many more.  Were their lives changed forever?  Why and how did this happen? Did they become passive, which allowed the Tabilan and extremists to contaminate their society?

Read a newspaper or watch the news, many many other Countries around the world are allowing their freedom to be eroded every day.  Did 9/11 change our lives forever?

Will we reset to a passive mind set and allow our freedom and liberty to be continually eroded away? Will we urgue among ourselves as to the best way to defend our freedom?

True Meaning Of July 4th At Times Easy To Overlook!

Stay Safe and as you enjoy the festivities and remember the Men and Women currently and in our past who died and who were forever changed to ensure that America was and continues to be the greatest Nation on Earth under GOD!

Selfless Service,

Robert

Water Analysis

What about water? How many of us question where water for the next shower, glass of water, or  "washing clothes" will come from?

Water - so basic and so necessary for life. We all know this of course, but many in the West understandably take their water supply for granted. Water is readily available, cheap in the USA at least, in abundant supply, and always flows when we turn on our taps.  Afghanistan in water is not abundant.


Water is not taken for granted in most parts of the world however. It is generally accepted that over 1 billion people do not have access to clean water in the world, and the health, economic and developmental consequences of this reality are dire. Women and children spend hours collecting dirty water each day and lose valuable time, energy and calories (which are in short supply anyway) in the process. A family can not prosper if it spends hours each day fetching water, and the bite is twice as painful because that water is so often contaminated that the family has to spend what little it has looking for a cure. All that effort for something that inevitably undermines your health - it is cruel.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) argues that over 2 million people die each year from diarrheal disease linked to inadequate water supply. Most are children, most under 5 years old.

And they suffer before they die. A child suffering from acute diarrhea is listless, can not produce saliva, can barely speak, can not sit up, and can barely swallow. The body shrivels, as the last remnants of moisture within are sucked dry by a parched body. Cholera is worse of course, as is typhoid. The child's death is gruesome to behold - all for a glass of water.


Few hear their cries, even if the child could muster a tear. These deaths are sadly silent deaths, far from the cameras and the news, because it picks off children one at a time. Perhaps today a child will die down the road from where I sit in Moçambique. Tomorrow the death will occur across town. The following day there may be a respite - no deaths today, but tomorrow... Hardly gripping but no less tragic than the famine camp footage that periodically galvanises the world.

Development workers focused on water supply struggle and are often frustrated. Despite all our efforts, the number of people without water continues to climb - despite claims from some in the sector to the contrary. There are many debates as to why this is happening, and the reasons are complex. But the truth is that many water projects fail throughout the world every day. Projects fail because of inappropriate technologies, poor operation and maintenance systems, or a lack of finances on the part of governments and communities to keep their systems operational. Projects fail to improve health because many countries do not have the finances to purchase chlorine and other chemicals necessary to treat water - to make it safe to drink. Too often, these basics are out of reach.

A Man and his WIFE.

After an interesting discussion in my "Men's Fraternity" session on Wednesday, I decided to blog about Three Models of Marriage that we discussed. We meet twice a week as part of a 24 week program by Dr. Robert Lewis. http://www.mensfraternity.com/.

Men's Fraternity is a series of three one-year-long studies, beginning with The Quest for Authentic Manhood, followed by Winning at Work and Home, and ends with The Great Adventure. Men's Fraternity provides men with an encouraging process that teaches them how to live lives of authentic manhood as modeled by Jesus Christ and directed by the Word of God.

He introduced three models of marriage: The Top Down Traditional Marriage where the husband's position is "King, Lord", Leadership Style is "Lord, Goal in Mind is Personal Benefits, and effects on marriage is "usually results in a winner and a loser, the woman is normally the loser.

Secondly, the 50-50 Identical Marriage, Husband position is partner, Leadership style is leaderless, Goal in Mind is Equality and Effects on Marriage is balance, but balance is not achieved so the marriage fails. In business, partnerships fail more than any other type of business.  Read Galatians 3:29 for  more information on the biblical prospective.

Finally, the Side by Side Biblical Marriage, Ephesians 5:23, 25, and 31. Husband's position is Head, Leadership Style is Responsible and Sacrifice, Goal in Mind is ONENESS, and Effects of Marriage are health, happiness, and harmony. Obviously this goal is what Dr. Lewis views as the best and most likely to survive.

Although, couples today try to have an identical marriage, it often leads to loneliness and confusion and divorce. However, it is the most often pursued marriage style of young Americans today.

Why is this? comment please.  I have decided to only pursue the Side by Side Marriage!  Although, I may get pressure for other opinions, however after my sessions up to this point in their is only one way for a successful marriage. Many of the men in my group have a lot of work to do to fix their marriages. I have learned from my own mistakes and my the men in my group! All of the men involved in the partnership style are divorced or very unhappy...and so are their wives!

Life and a day at Kandahar Air Base

  Kandahar has a certain Groundhog Day quality to it. The weather is the same everyday, people wear the same clothes everyday and the food has the same military blandness everyday. Some people lose weight, while other gain weight.  Given that I am from Louisiana and have grown accustom to a bit of spice to my chicken and veggies, I am on the losing side.

When I arrived back in February, we had a Burger King, Subway, Pizza Hut and other restaurants. They all have gone with the wind or dust storm. Our leaders decided that such eating establishments were unnecessary in a combat zone, I agree. These changes will likely put more Soldiers on the losing side as far as weight is concerned. May not be a bad thing.

Internet access is remains slow, but reliable (by third world standards) and I have an Afghan cell phone that allows me to call locally....with exception for my few American colleagues..my local calls are limited as I have not made many local Afghan friends. 

Believe it or not, the weather this time of year is wonderful (if I were a lizard or snake). It tends to range between 95 and  116 degrees during the day and about 74 to 90 at night.  I have not decided whether or not I prefer the humid Louisiana summers or the dry desert heat of Kandahar, really I prefer neither.  As I recall, the best summers of my life were in France and Boston, each for different reasons.  I bottle of  cold "Rose" wine on my balcony in Grenoble or a cruise on the France coast would be wonderful, maybe even simply a nice view of the Charles River or walking through Boston Commons.  Unfortunately, I will miss both the Boston Pops on the Charles River July 4th as well as Bastille Day July 14th in France.  We may have fire works in Kandahar on these dates, but I am sure they will not be to celebration American or French Independence Days.

Maybe one day the Afghan people can celebration and enjoy the freedoms of the West.

I do enjoy getting out our forward operating bases. The food is much, much better, and the air is cleaner.

I must say that the free flights on military helicopters are not bad, it is so exciting to fly and enjoy the views of the Afghan terrain. From the sky it is often hard to believe that a war is ongoing.

Finally, the best coffee and pastries are by far are in the British quarter of the base…it’s like stepping out of the war zone into uptown Manhattan, with exception....all of the patrons are in various military uniforms and the lack of skyscrapers, subways, etc etc.  

  

   

Another Photo from the RUN 4 CHANCE 5 KM

Run 4 Chance: The Chance Phelps Foundation

A few good men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc (deployed serving our Great Nation), manned a water point during the Annual "Chance Phelps Foundation, 5km at Kandahar Airfield).

Although we should have been participants, it was much easier to watch 200-300 heroes run through dust clouds in over 95 degrees @ 7AM.

We were well appreciated by the runners as we had the ONLY water point with "Ice Cold Water", and Gatorade.  Since we are known as the "Ice COLD brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha", it should have been expected.   We were proud to assist with an event that is helping a foundation that supports our military brothers and sisters!

The Chance Phelps Foundation is a 501(c)3 foundation dedicated to honoring U.S. military and their families, personnel serving as well as returning vets and GoldStar families, by providing a variety of services and helps of emotional, practical and financial scope. The Foundation is named after, and honors the memory of, LCpl Chance Phelps, assigned to 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force from Camp Pendleton, California, killed in action, April 9, 2004 in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.

So if you have some etc cash, this is a great foundation to donate your extra funds. http://www.chancephelps.org/

The Archived Segments from Radio Health!

Just click on the link and listen to each of the segments from the Interview with Health Radio


Seg 1 : Exercise Disparities in Minority and Underserved Populations
http://www.healthradio.net/archives/20100524/1021sm2a.mp3

Seg 2 : Adverse Health Effects on The Underserved Populations
http://www.healthradio.net/archives/20100524/1021sm2b.mp3

Seg 3 : What Resources Do these Populations Need to Overcome
http://www.healthradio.net/archives/20100524/1021sm2c.mp3

Seg 4 : EIM in The US and Abroad New
http://www.healthradio.net/archives/20100524/1021sm2d.mp3

Link to the Interview with Health radio

http://www.healthradio.net/archives/20100524/1021sm2a.mp3

Real Estate in Afghanistan?

Not a bad home, right?

Local Afghani Children: What do their homes look like?

Houses in farming communities are built largely of mud brick and frequently grouped within a fortified enclosure, to provide protection from marauders. The roofs are flat, with a coating of mixed straw and mud rolled hard above a ceiling of horizontal poles, although in areas where timber is scarce, separate mud brick domes crown each room.

Cement and other modern building materials are rare in farming villages, however, are widely used in cities and towns. Every town has at least one wide thoroughfare, but other streets are narrow lanes between houses of mud brick, taller than those in the villages and featuring decorative wooden balconies. 

Interview with Dr. Robert Carter on HealthRadio live from Afghanistan 25th May at 1-2pm EST

I will be interviewed on  "Exercise is Medicine" in underserved  populations on HealthRadio, Tuesday, 25th May  from 1 to 2 p.m. ET.  I am on the "Exercise is Medicine" Task Force and I chair  the EIM committee on underserved populations.

Click on the link below to listen the live interview with Dr. Robert Carter III
http://www.healthradio.net/show/sports-medicine-and-fitness-show


Topic: ** * Exercise Is Medicine Month, Underserved Populations




*Segment 1(1:06-1:17pm EST)* Exercise Disparities in Minority and

Underserved Populations



*Segment 2(1:20-1:31pm EST):* Adverse Health Effects on The Underserved

Populations



*Segment 3(1:34-1:45pm EST):* What Resources Do these Populations Need

to Overcome These Disparities



*Segment 4(1:48-1:59pm EST):* EIM in The US and Abroad
What questions would you all like me to answer during my one hour interview?

I will talk about how EIM impacts these populations, what communities and individuals can do to improve health in the underserved, common issues for these groups, etc?

Visiting the Airfield with Canadian Partners

No news is good news..

What relaxes one does not relax another. How do you relax in Afghanistan? After a 16 hour day in over 100 degree heat, dirt, and all of the elements of a combat zone? For some music is relaxing,  While for others friendship is the key, to find peace and glory.  

We can relax, only after..  All the work is done, All the battles of life are fought...And all the glories of life are won.

 

Soldier-Scientist: Crossing Bridges Divided

Soldier-Scientist: Crossing Bridges Divided

Crossing Bridges Divided

Under the Kandahar sun

It has been a week or more since my last blog posting. However, I have been busy with work while avoiding the desert heat.  After few months in Kandahar, It feels a little like you've landed in another universe or landed in a minimal security prison. Either way, you may wonder to yourself "where did I go wrong?".  NOT really, life has not been so bad. It is amazing how the smallest things can make you so happy when your daily luxuries have been temporary removed.

I've been lucky in many ways thus far during my tour in Afghanistan. First of all, I have received amazing support from all of you, thanks for the awesome, thoughtful notes, care packets, swedish fish, and all that you have done for me.  Special thanks to my Friends from France, awesome care packet, "fatty duck liver has never taste so good, foie gras, oui oui"! I am much happier now. Merci Beaucoup et bientôt.

And then there is my cartel under the Kandahar sun.  I have been extremely fortunate to have a great team of folks to work with, Rod "Naplam" Brigano, Andy "The Tick, McClaw, Brian "The Repo Man" Southoni, Anisa "Lucky Lady" Rodriquez, and Jim "The Regulator" Smith. I have acquired the "mob name", Six Toes. In addition, My dear friend from Louisiana bought me to a meeting of men in search of becoming better men, fathers, husbands, etc. I appreciate my friend for this invitation as the discussions of becoming an Authentic Men have been awesome.

And finally, I have adapted a few survival tips for my deployment. Funny or not so funny, there are similarities between a military deployment and prison, although I have had limited experience with both.

Nevertheless, Prison (and War) is something we all want to avoid, but the time may come when you have to spend some time there (whether or not you are guilty). If you follow some basic rules, your stay maybe more tolerable.

1. Do not get involved with the wrong people. I have tryed to avoid the wrong people. Since, I am in a war zone, not sure how to identify the wrong people?

2. Do not discuss your crime. I do not have a crime, I volunteered! Since, most people did not volunteer, do not discuss that you volunteered. However, time is shorter for volunteers, another reason not to discuss it. Only discuss "how long you have" with other volunteers. 

3. Work out, Working out not only helps to pass the time, it also helps to to bulk you up – making you less of a target. You should not appear weak – this means walking with your head up – do not look at your feet while you walk. Avoid the temptation to get a tattoo – they often lead to diseases like hepatitis (not sure, but I will avoid getting tattoes in Afghanistan).

4. Be respectful and polite. This is very important when anyone has a gun or two. Always be polite and respectful to other prisoners. You do not want to make enemies in war zone, as you have enough as it is.

Finally, remember, being in prison is like being at war – so it is better not to commit a crime in the first place.

A look at Pakistan from Afghanistan:

Afghanistan–Pakistan relations began in 1947 when British India was partitioned into the Republic of India and the state of Pakistan. Afghanistan and Pakistan are usually described as inseparable states due to their sharing of similar history, religion, culture, linguistic, and ethnic ties, as well as sharing of multiple trade and economic ties. Both neighbouring nations are Islamic republics and part of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. However, the relationship between the two has been affected by the 1980s Soviet war, the rise of the Taliban, the 2001-present war in Afghanistan, the issues of Pashtunistan and Balochistan, the Afghanistan-Pakistan Skirmishes, and Afghanistan's strong relations with India.

Things Soldiers like to eat...Swedish Fish, Beef Jerky, etc

The hottest fish in town are "Swedish Fish".  Swedish Fish are chewy winegum candies especially notable apart from other varieties of winegums in Sweden.

In Sweden, the Swedish Fish candy is marketed under the name "pastellfiskar", literally "pastel colored fishes". The fish in Sweden are generally much paler in color and more translucent (save the black fish).

The green fish is not lime flavored; the green candy color in Scandinavia is usually associated with apple or pear flavor. They are slightly thicker, have the text "Malaco" instead of "Swedish" embossed, and stick less to the teeth.

All stories have an irony, when I lived in France I visited some friends in Sweden.  I asked about purchasing some since they were not sold in France,...to my surprise ..Swedish are not sold in Sweden..go figure. So imported Swedish fish back to Sweden..my friends loved the candy and the idea that "Americans" enjoyed them so much.

So, this brings me to my point, Americans love them so much, "American Soldiers" love them even more..Swedish Fish are to die for...not really, but maybe a "petite wound".   If we receive enough Swedish Fish, then we can share with the Afghans....maybe one day we will have Afghani Fish.

So in Swedish "skicka fisk" =  please send fish.   Soldater älskar dem = Soldiers love them

Senseless gun violence that claimed the life of three young Americans

Many of you are aware of my affiliation with my college fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Unfortunately, we (APA) have lost two educated productive, young men to random gun violence.

All members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity are mourning the recent cold-blooded murders of Brother Michael Muchioki, 27(and his fiancé Nia Haqq, 25) of New Jersey, and Brother Steven Lee, 32 of Chicago.  Brother Muchioki and his fiancé were shot and killed after returning from their engagement party in Jersey City, N.J. on Saturday night. Brother Steven Lee, was shot while walking on South Ingleside Ave. in Chicago’ East Chatham neighborhood. According to police, Brother Muchioki’s incident appears to have been an attempted carjacking.

It is very sad when one is more likely to die in some American cities than in combat in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, both situations are unfavorable and saddens American families each and every time we lose one of our young Americans.

So far this year, eighty eight U.S. solders have died in Operation Enduring Freedom as of April 3rd 2010. Those Afghanistan casualties are a high price but pale when compared to the losses in the undeclared war in our inner cities. As a nation we have decided that the Afghanistan price, as hard to take as it is, is worth the price. But the price we are paying in our inner cities pays no return. The lives lost there are squandered-wasted. LA reported 145 murders for the first three months of 2010. Chicago reported 76 homicides. Baltimore had 38. The small area comprising our Nation's Capital, D.C., reported 24.

Bottled Water: Is it worth it?

Are we addicted to bottled water? What did we do prior to bottled water being sold?  Is it better for us than tap water? In the United States, bottled water costs between $0.25 and $2 per bottle while tap water costs less than US$0.01. In 1999, according to a NRDC study, U.S. consumers paid between 240 and 10,000 times more per unit volume for bottled water than for tap water.  Typically 90 percent or more of the cost paid by bottled water consumers goes to things other than the water itself -- bottling, packaging, shipping, marketing, retailing, other expenses, and profit.  What are your thoughts and opinions? I will discuss the bottled water story for military forces in Afghanistan. It may change your mind about bottled water!!!

Driving in Afghanistan: Some things will never Change!

So, what happened was...the picture and story tells it all....I was driving and drove into a T Barrier; damaged the tire and the front end of the 2006 4 Runner.. so, the good SFC Smith, our NCOIC (Non-commissioned officer in charge) did a news story on it. NCOs help us, poor Officers stay in place and cover for us when stuff go wrong. I need 3 or 4 NCOs to stay out of trouble. Smith and my team wanted to highlight my deficiency. I attempted to hide it, but my battle buddy dimed me out to Smith.  So, Smith did what a good NCO does gave me a hard time and helped me repair the truck. My co-pilot, the truck, and I survived. My battle buddy is confident that he is more likely to die from my driving than any other means. Any one that has ever been in my car with me can confirm this....The good thing is that the speed limit is only 5 miles per hour (see the sign in the picture).  Wow, those T Barriers! Mom, we are in great shape, no injuries, only my pride.....however my team will never let me live this one down.

Bazaar..Saturday Life in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Last Saturday, I decided to go to the bazaar after taking a break from it last week. Every Saturday we have a medium-sized bazaar where Afghans come in to sell everything from blankets, booted movies, rugs, and other strange stuff.

As soon as you steo into the bazaar area young Afghan boys will attempt you trying to sell Afghanis, Iraqi money, hand necklaces, you name it. "Mister, mister, please stop." They also say that the price they are giving you is a "special" price..."special price for you...please Mister stop", with very sad face, what else is there to do? but...keep walking.  Sorry...we do stop at times, but there is only so much Afghani (local money) that one can buy.

Given that the money here has changed ever decade with each new government, Taliban money, Afghani, etc , etc.  After a while, it is impossible to know how bad of a "special" price it is. Nevertheless, week after week we visit the Bazaar in search of something interesting. It is possible to find all kinds of things for dirt cheap, but the trick is knowing how to haggle down to a good price.

If you stop by a booth, you will buy something, yes yes you will.  If you look too long you will buy something, if you talk it is a bought item in the making. The best thing to do is offer a very low price, "I will give you $5.00 for that rugs!", this is normally followed by a pause, "you can have that one for $10.00 it is a very special price, just for you, Mister" (it is a very small version of the rug or item that you initially wanted).  I guess if you are going to take advantage of someone, going into it with "Mister", is an excellent start.  However if you start to walk away without the rug, "the price is extremely special, lol!".  This is how it goes in Kandahar, Afghanistan at the bazaar.

I think that Soldiers get as much fun out of it as the locals, haggling is a cultural thing here, some Americans are better at it then others.

Geography of Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a landlocked nation in south-central Asia. Strategically located at the crossroads of major north-south and east-west trade routes, it has attracted a succession of invaders including Alexander the Great, in the fourth century B.C. Currently, the United States continues the global war on terrorism here or whatever the new name is..

The Hindu Kush mountains, running northeast to southwest across the country, divide it into three major regions: 1) the Central Highlands, which form part of the Himalayan Mountains and account for roughly two thirds of the country’s area; 2) the Southwestern Plateau, which accounts for one-fourth of the land; and 3) the smaller Northern Plains area, which contains the country’s most fertile soil.

Land elevations generally slope from northeast to southwest, following the general shape of the Hindu Kush massif, from its highest point in the Pamir Mountains near the Chinese border to the lower elevations near the border with Iran. To the north, west, and southwest there are no mountain barriers to neighboring countries. The northern plains pass almost imperceptibly into the plains of Turkmenistan. In the west and southwest, the plateaus and deserts merge into those of Iran.

Fields of Afghanistan: What is growing below US?

What is Afghanistan's cash crop? The Afghan population has nothing to grow, no water to irrigage any food crops, so they grow opium that needs almost no water. Their whole life is built around the few dollars they get from this crop.

Senior US military and civilian officials believe the Taliban cannot be defeated and good government in Afghanistan cannot be established without cutting off the money generated by Afghanistan’s opium industry, says a US Senate report released on Tuesday.

The report notes that the illegal Afghan drug industry supplies more than 90 per cent of the world’s heroin and generates an estimated $3 billion a year in profits. As I flew over I thought to myself what is growing in the below? What are your thoughts? Maybe the Afghan population could raise crawfish? I would really like a bowl of crawfish  etouffee. Oh, yes they would need water to do it!

Afghanistan from above

Afghanistan is landlocked and mountainous, with plains in the north and southwest. The highest point is Nowshak at 24,557 ft above sea level.  As mentioned previously Afghanistan is very dry, but as you can see there is water, this beautiful lake resembles "Lake Meade". 

Yes, hanging off an aircraft may look dangerous to some, but those of us that have jumped out of a perfectly good aircraft, this is a good view. Why be seated in the front when you can see much better from the back.  Any body got some popcorn? 

 

Flying in the Chinook over Afghanistan

Yesterday was an exciting day,  flying in the Chinook!  The Chinook is used for inserting troops into fire bases and bringing food, water, and ammunition. It is also the casualty evacuation (casevac) aircraft of choice in the British Army. The Chinook is an excellent mode of travel and is particularly useful in the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan where high altitudes and temperatures can be extreme.

Flying in this dual rotored aircraft was amazing and the view of the Afghanistan countryside is breath taking to say the least.

What is it like in Kandahar? weather, terrain, etc

Did I mention the "poo pond", yes the smell is not good.

Kandahar is a trading center for sheep, wool, cotton, silk, and tobacco, also produces a major global supply of pomegranates. The city has factories for canning, drying, and packing fruit, although I have not visited them (I am sure that the tour lines are not long if you are interested in checking them out, good luck!). So you ask how will I get to Kandahar. No problem!

Kandahar International Airport has been used by the NATO forces to deliver troops and humanitarian supplies since late 2001; the airport re-opened for civilian use in late 2006 (so If you would like to plan a vacation here there are flights, good luck getting a travel visa and a hotel when you arrive). I would offer you a room at my place, but I have 5 roommates in a 20' x 20', so space is a bit limited.

Kandahar has an arid, continental climate characterized by little precipitation and high variation between summer and winter temperatures. (basically this place is a desert! hot with very little rain and water (not many lakes and rivers (at least with water in them) etc, some in the southwest.

The Helmand River is the longest river in Afghanistan, stretching over 1,000 kilometers. It descends from the Hindu Kush Mountains in Wardak Province, west of Kabul – passing through Bamyan, Uruzgan, Helmand, Nimruz and crossing into Sistan and Baluchistan Province of Iran.

Summers start in mid-May, last until late-September, and are extremely dry and hot (can get over 100 degrees F and stay there for many days). However it was quite cold and rainy when I first arrived here (global warming is affecting ever corner of the world, no earthquakes at the moment, however last year a moderate one occurred in Northern Afghanistan).

We have an Asian dining facility which serves some local cuisine and other foods from Asia and Southeastern Asia, lots of curry dishes, vegetarian dishes, lamb, etc. I have not had "dinner reservations" at a local restaurant, maybe next time I visit Afghanistan. I will have to trust that the food in the dining facility on base is representative of the true thing.

Interesting Fact:

The people of Kandahar have a reputation in Afghanistan as very attractive. For example, Afghan girls usually prefer Kandahari boys over others, so naturally this makes the non-Kandahari men jealous. So given that Afghani men are very jealous of Kandahari men (yes they are Afghans), I do not think that many Americans or other Westerners will have much luck with local women, at least to live and tell about it.

I recall from my college days that the local men in my college town were very jealous of the college men dating "their women". Unfortunately, many of these situations resulted in fights and in rare cases shootings.

Connecting People: Walking with Giants in Unknown Places

Although, I grew up in a relatively remote corner of Southwest Louisiana, I developed warm and genuine interest in people from all walks of life. It all started when my grandmother gave me my first set of Funk & Wagnall's encyclopedias (For my 4th grade friends, encyclopedias were the 'Internet" to us over 30 years old). I recall reading those books for hours on end; fascinated by the places, people, photographs, and the amazing facts of the world!

Reading anything and everything that I could get my hands on, in part, has contributed to me being able to connect with people regardless of their nationality, political interests, or part of the world that they happened to have came from. Observing and talking with Giants (role models) and the elderly (more mature) people around me over the years, has been key in my development and comfort of being in unknown places with different faces.

As a kid, I spent too much time asking about the lives and ideas of others. Because I was fully engaged with whomever I was "interviewing (I asked far too many questions)", the next time that we talked or saw each other I remembered the minor details of what had been previously discussed.

Recently, "obviously when you are serving time (As we refer to Kandahar)" there is time to think, ponder, reponder (Is that a word?, reponder). I have recalled many of the exchanges that I have had with others over the years. I have had many conversations with people from many corners of the world. Many of these interactions were the best thing that happened that day.

I have always enjoyed connecting people together that could possibly do more for society by working together. Spotting special gifts in people is a talent that I feel has allowed me to help move ideas and various agendas along (at least in my mind). Nevertheless, I have personally fallen short at times of not fully committing to situations, activities, and relationships alike; mainly due to over tasking myself.

There are organizations doing great things like improving the lives of millions by attempting to eliminate infectious and chronic diseases, improve educational and political infrastructure, etc.

I am happy to be a small part of many concerted efforts to promote better health, education, and welfare in our global society. My personal contributions have been more effective, in part, by helping to bring the right people together and walking with Giants of our past, present, and future in unknown places!

We cannot achieve our goals personal or as a society alone, connecting people and building relationships are essential. We are trying to do that here daily.

What would you like to know about my experience here?

BEWARE...about 99.5% of my experiences, well I will have to "kill if I told you (how many things have you heard that..well do not make me") ha ha, but if you would like to know about the weather, soil, mountains, food (cheeseburgers and meals ready to eat (MREs)), etc...I can discuss it with you.

The sewage treatment facility....A.K.A. "Da Poo Pond"

Origins of sewage..Sewage is created by residences, institutions, and commercial and industrial establishments. Raw influent (sewage) includes household waste liquid from toilets, baths, showers, kitchens, sinks, and so forth that is disposed of via sewers. This is great, in America most of us do not see it, smell it, or think about it. The sewage process is transparent, which is a great thing!

Well, well, we are not so lucky! If one get the right (or wrong) downwind, a strange facial expression will follow. We joked in Boston about the "big dig (10 Billion dollar highway project took 10 years), we said that Boston was the only construction site with its own Airport...well well, Kandahar is the only sewage treatment facility with its own airport!

Early stages of sewer processing will tend to produce smelly gasses, hydrogen sulfide being most common in generating complaints from nearby areas. Yes yes, we complain to one another and aviod walking or driving any where near "Da Poo Pond". Unfortunately, some of the people live within a stone throw away from it.

It could be worst...imagine what it would be like without a sewage treatment facility...see there is always a brite side to any story!

"Virtual Teaching" Live from Afghanistan

As many of you are aware, since 2000 I have had the opportunity to teach distance learning or virtual courses. As a result, I have been extremely busy with my day job and my night job over the last several days. It is midterm exam time; and time for many excuses "why I have not scored well on the assignments and exams" thus far.

For me, teaching has always allowed me to connect with students from across the globe. In past semesters I taught Soldiers deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq and periodically I would receive an email, "Sir or Dr. Carter, I apologize for not taking the exam, but we lost power on the base in xxxx" or " Sir, I was out on patrol and did not get the opportunity to finish my assignment, but I will". These are the types of stories that I encountered from my brothers deployed defending our Nation. I am sure that all is these were valid excuses (smile!). Nevertheless, they all deserved extra time given the situation that confronted them daily.

So when I received the order to deploy to Afghanistan, I decided to continue my teaching efforts. Nevermind the fact I knew that I would miss teaching, this opportunity would provide me with a chance to experience what it is like to be the "deployed instructor".

So, I am here teaching 4 microbiology courses! Yes, it is challenging but a rewarding experience. "If it was not challenging I would not do it!".Nevertheless, it is possible that one of my students maybe located here on the same base, or one nearby.

So with that said, if I get an email "Sir, I am in Kandahar Afghanistan and we lost power for three days or the internet was down". I will be able to respond with "that is not possible, I am emailing you from next door".


God grant me the Serenity to accept the things, I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And Wisdom to know the difference.

I know that I am having an impact on lives of my students (at least the ones that finish the course with an A, have uttered such things, I am sure that the ones that finished my courses with an F, have uttered other things).

Although, we do not see it daily, I am sure that we are also having an impact on the students and young folks in here in Afghanistan. Maybe one day I will have a student from Kandahar in one of my online course, that is change that we can believe in and hope for.

Ride to Kandahar City...

Then we brought the lances down, then the trumpets blew,
When we went to Kandahar, ridin' two an' two.
Ridin', ridin', ridin' two an' two!
Ta-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-a!
All the way to Kandahar,
Ridin' two an' two.

This poem by Rudyard Kipling, highlights a Kandahar City that everyone is excited to arrive and enjoy themselves, maybe...or is it a poem about Soldiers ridin in two by two?? What do you think? Please comment..

On Saturday my battle buddy and I rode around Kandahar Airfield inside the Fence, leaving out of the gate made no sense.
It was two of us and we wanted it to stay that way, Kandahar today is no place to play, but maybe one day. Yesterday, no trumpets blew, lucky for us meaning no rockets flew.

Another day in Kandahar City!

Good night, should I take up poetry??

A Posting for my 4th grade friends at Rockwell Elementary: Learning Begins at Birth

"Learning Begins at Birth"

Babies and young children think, observe, and reason. They consider evidence, draw conclusions, do experiments, solve problems, and search for the truth. "The Scientist in the Crib". One great memory I have of my childhood is being droven to my elementary school by my maternal grandmother. It was the same school that my uncles and aunt attended as well as many others members of my extended family. My mother would drop me off and continue to work and my grandmother would take over; my mother would continue after school with ensures that I could spell all of the words that were assigned to me that day at school. I also remember talking with my aunt about her experiences at college, which I admired greatly. Finally, I remember the day that my uncle departed and returned home from his activation to support the First Gulf War; experiences such as these helped me develop into the individual that I am today.

I learned from positive childhood experiences, the importance of education, dedication, helping others, and service to our country.

Now, I was very fortunate like ALL of you to have an environment that fostered positive experiences (not saying we did not face challenges at home and away). If you have any question of your environment, consider the harsh environment of the afghani children and people.

In the past five years progress has been made, but Afghanistan still faces many challenges. It has high infant, child and maternal mortality; low immunization; chronic nutritional deficiencies among children; low literacy levels; low school enrollment and high drop-out rates, especially among girls; and difficulty protecting children and promoting their rights.

Can any of us really size up to such grave statistics, We are blessed and fortunate!

Finally Numbers at a Glance,

• One Afghan child in five dies, often of a preventable cause before her or his fifth birthday
• 85% of women give birth at home with untrained attendants
• 30% of healthcare facilities are without female health professionals: doctors, nurses and midwives
• 100,000 teachers are needed in Afghanistan, including some 48,000 new women teachers, if there is to be an essential increase in girls' enrollment and retention in school
• Only one female teacher in three has the required education; some 27,000 current teachers will need support to increase their knowledge and teaching skills
• The vast majority of rural parents do not understand child development. According to a recent Save the Children survey, only 19% of mothers believe play is useful to promote learning and only 4% believe that it readies a child for school; no fathers understood that play helped their children's cognitive development.

Have a great day and be sure to call to thank someone that helped to prevent you from being subject to one of the above statistics!

On top of all of these health, education, and poverty issues, children see war and destruction daily!

After one week....

Open-Mindedness..summarizes my first week in Afghanistan. Survival in such a potentially harsh, unforgiving environment fundementally requires open-mindedness, vigilance, and patience.

Thinking matters through before we act is always difficult and often consumes alot of our time and patience, but it is simply not possible to be a person of integrity without doing it.

Despite the fact that we are in a very precarious environment and the totality of circumstances surrounding us appear grave at times.. 'Ain't nobody worryin'. We carry about our daily business and remain open-minded!

Tonight the great American that I replaced here, departed for the U.S. to reunite with his family after many months serving our great Nation and aggressively searching for and acquiring the best medical technology and resources to diagnosis and treat our warriors in the battlefield. Nearly missing his flight, he wanted to ensure that I had all of the contacts and resources needed to be as effective and efficient as possible to continue the mission. He reminded me to remain open-minded, remain vigilant! Most importantly to "keep my head down" and continue to get on the ground when I hear the words uttered "rocket attack, rocket attack", the difference between doing so or not could be profound. We smiled and he departed!

The Kandahar Airfield Bazaar

Periodically, we have an opportunity to host the local afghanis on base for a bazaar! It is an open air flea market of 40 or so local folks men and young boys selling every from cigarettes to "bootlegged" CDs and DVDs. The funniest thing being sold was a TUPAC t-shirt, TUPAC in Afghanistan, now that is funny, obviously the Chinese are in control of the free market, lol. Now the most interesting thing being sold was a figurine of "the last supper" now that is obviously challenging to imagine in any cerebral thought. That is "Bazaar"!

Modern figurines, particularly those made of plastic are often referred to as figures, go figure that one out, it is easy, Obviously capitalism wins! I am sure that the "last supper" is not a collectors' item of the home of the locals.

I am positive that nothing being sold was made locally! imagine that a third world country selling "chinese made stuff, being passed off as local stuff". I have seen any manufacturing facilities or folks making hand crafts..

Now, I was tempted to purchase an afghani rug, not sure that it was really an afghani rug! what is an afghan rug? likely a chinese or iranian rug?? not sure..I am confused!! On the contrary, during a trip to Kenya, some of the items being sold were from Kenya however, many of the items were obviously not made in Kenya. Capitalism and third party manufacturing have even taken over the local jobs in developing and third world countries, this is unfortunate for the world in general! I guess that craftmanship is not valued anywhere! Now that is also BAZAAR!

More on Friday Night in Kandahar...

So I last concluded with my discussion of the not so bad food from the American Dining Facility! Yes, so.. imagine this . we're driving in a 2007 4 runner (my buddy's 4 runner is a year newer than my truck), dusty as dusty gets coming from a not so bad dinner.

My battle buddy is in the driver seat, I am in the back seat of the 4 runner...an we hear the infamous horn followed by "in coming rocket attack" not good..not good..Our fellow Soldiers and roommates had mentioned the procedure for rocket attacks, but we had not had the opportunity to experience one (you might be thinking are they crazy?)

So we jumped out of the truck landed in the dirt with a belly full of steak, shrimp, etc..."I looked at John, Are you ok?" "yes, but but I am very muddy"! At the same time, a young Soldier walked pass us on the dusty, muddy ground, and looked at us as to say "Are those guys serious?", oh they must be newies, officers or both? Prior to our arrival in Kandahar, rocket attacks periodically happened, nevertheless, it was our first one. 99% of the time, nothing happens as a result of the attacks!

No worries, if you are asking someone else if they are ok, then as my French buddy Arnaud might say "you are in great shape".

I am off to sleep. Next discussion, the Kandahar Bazzar!
Much love,

Robert

Friday Nights in Kandahar

I must admit that life in Kandahar is not that bad, nonetheless the occasional "coming to Jesus moments" "Holy crap" we are at war and I am in the middle of it! It is very difficult from watching 5 o'clock news regarding what happened in Afghanistan today, on CNN, MSNBC, etc. Nevertheless, We keep marching along. Times continues.

Friday nights are not bad, the local American dining facility (DFAC)prepares steak, fried shrimp, crab cakes, etc. The best way to describe this is...A Ryan's steak house with dirt floors. More later off to work..

First 4 days in Kandahar

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.

Address changed

PLease note that change in my address:

New address is

Major Robert Carter
4-401st AFSB
AMC LSE, KAF
A&T/Acq Cell
APO, AE 09355

In Kandahar Afghanistan...

I arrived in Kandahar on Tuesday morning (local time here is 9.5 hours ahead of Washington D.C.). I flew in on a large military aircraft from Kuwait City, Kuwait. I stayed only 6 hours in Kuwait. Others headed to Afghanistan have been known to stay for 4-5 days or longer. We were very lucky to get out in a few hours (well, luck..you may differ in your opinion, whether or not rushing to a war zone is lucky, crazy, many other wordscould describe.) Nevertheless, I was happy to arrive and get my 20 square feet of real estate, meal card, and Toyota 4 Runner! Yes, I have my own 2007 Toyota 4 Runner to get to and from work and other places that I may need to go on the BASE!! (This vehicle would not survive 10 minutes off base, use your imagination know). My first night was not bad, I slept like a rock, and periodically wake up to the loud noise coming from one of my 4 roommates, I imagine that all of us were disturbing each other at some point of the night.

I am well, this place is not so bad. I am sure that I will have more time to think about the realities of it when the jetlag wears off, for now..I will enjoy the experience. We have so many different nationalities here, French, Dutch, Germans, Romanians, Canadians, British, etc etc.. lots of differents choices of food, The American dining facility is called " Niagara" and the British one is called "Cambridge". All of the facilities are open to all Soldiers regardless of which of the NATO countries they represent!! This should be an interesting experience.

Robert
17 Feb 2010.

Flight diversion to Baltimore

Military travel is exciting! After a wonderful night in Atlanta, 4.5 hours of sleep at the Hilton..Departure after hanging in the beautiful hanger of Omni International Airlines (government contracted), we had an emergency stop in Baltimore, One more wonderful night in an American hotel! Holiday Inn! However, I have already contacted T Mobile to disconnect from cell phone, go figure that one out! This is a great start to a wonderful military experience and adventure. Robert 02/13/2010

This is deja vu, I was stuck in Baltimore in 2004 on this same day at the same Holiday Inn after one week of Equal Opportunity Representative training at Detrick, Maryland. Second Valentine's Day in Baltimore alone, in this decade!! Go figure!

Leaving from Ft Benning, Georgia

I will leave Ft Benning soon. A brief stop somewhere in the world...3 days in Kuwait City, should put me in Kandahar in the middle of next week. I shot expert today with my M9 -9MM handgun. I have more military equipment then I know what to do with (4 bags full). We are the best equipped, best trained military in the world!! FYI, my handgun is Only used for personal protection. By Geneva Convention, medical military officers only use weapons for personal protection and protection of their patients.

This week has been exciting, my fellow U.S. Military brothers and sisters and I are well prepared for our various missions. We are ARMY STRONG!

Until next time...

Starting Training in Georgia

Today, I arrived in Georgia to start one week of deployment training. I departed Washington DC ahead of the snow storm. Let it snow!

My United States Postal Address!

MAJ Robert Carter
TF Pal South (C-IED)
APO AE 09355

Skype alphadoc123

Add me to skype: alphadoc123

My address is

MAJ Robert Carter
TF Pal South (C-IED)
APO AE 09355

Less than one Month.away...Kandahar, Afghanistan

I hope to stay connected with friends, family, and my new friends from Rockwell Elementary School in Maryland (my official sponsors!), while in Afghanistan via this blog.

Visit often to see what I am up to in the land of Dates, Camels, and whatever else happens!

Robert