(If you don't like to read much, skip to the last two paragraphs.. that is the most important stuff.)
How could I have neglected my writing for so long?! There have been a number of times that I have meant to post, but was "unable" to due so for one reason or another. I am taking the time now to do it because one must start somewhere.
Life here in Afghanistan is interesting. Like anywhere, there are good things, and there are bad things. The worst of it for me is the isolation I often feel. I find this a bit odd given that I like and need my privacy, but I suppose that is really a different thing. I don't have the ability to go anywhere, even when we don't have actual work to do! For example, the students left for Ramadan, but we were required to remain on base and could not go anywhere. One would think that all that extra time I could spend by myself would be good, but without my teaching I quickly fell into a bit of a depressive state.
Things are definitely on the upswing now that I am back into the teaching, and the new people have arrived, but there have still been some issues that I am not sure about. I suppose that happens everywhere though.
Lately, there have been visits from many high ranking individuals. We had the (4 star) general of the US forces and ISAF come visit. Then we had the new 1 star come. And just recently the 1 star returned to accompany a 3 star. Along with them came the head Afghan general and a number of his colonels. This particular event was very interesting.
The students were all told about this visit. It was happening on a day we don't usually have events in the evening, so they had to come specifically for the general's visit. They were having tea when we were told that the general's visit had been cancelled. We decided that we would all sit together and have tea together anyway. As we were no longer expecting visitors, the Lt. Col here decided to don an Afghan shirt for the occasion. We were in the midst of taking pictures and the like when the general showed up!
The Lt. Col had to go and meet and speak with the general, and then brought the whole entourage in to meet the students. They were very excited to see the general, and there were a couple of speeches, and then everyone left. The naturalness of him catching us with our guard down was probably the best thing that could have happened. He got to see the real us and what we do. Apparently he was very happy with it as well, so "GO US!!" The students and the people I work with are doing a great job, and I am glad to be a part of it!
How could I have neglected my writing for so long?! There have been a number of times that I have meant to post, but was "unable" to due so for one reason or another. I am taking the time now to do it because one must start somewhere.
Life here in Afghanistan is interesting. Like anywhere, there are good things, and there are bad things. The worst of it for me is the isolation I often feel. I find this a bit odd given that I like and need my privacy, but I suppose that is really a different thing. I don't have the ability to go anywhere, even when we don't have actual work to do! For example, the students left for Ramadan, but we were required to remain on base and could not go anywhere. One would think that all that extra time I could spend by myself would be good, but without my teaching I quickly fell into a bit of a depressive state.
Things are definitely on the upswing now that I am back into the teaching, and the new people have arrived, but there have still been some issues that I am not sure about. I suppose that happens everywhere though.
Lately, there have been visits from many high ranking individuals. We had the (4 star) general of the US forces and ISAF come visit. Then we had the new 1 star come. And just recently the 1 star returned to accompany a 3 star. Along with them came the head Afghan general and a number of his colonels. This particular event was very interesting.
The students were all told about this visit. It was happening on a day we don't usually have events in the evening, so they had to come specifically for the general's visit. They were having tea when we were told that the general's visit had been cancelled. We decided that we would all sit together and have tea together anyway. As we were no longer expecting visitors, the Lt. Col here decided to don an Afghan shirt for the occasion. We were in the midst of taking pictures and the like when the general showed up!
The Lt. Col had to go and meet and speak with the general, and then brought the whole entourage in to meet the students. They were very excited to see the general, and there were a couple of speeches, and then everyone left. The naturalness of him catching us with our guard down was probably the best thing that could have happened. He got to see the real us and what we do. Apparently he was very happy with it as well, so "GO US!!" The students and the people I work with are doing a great job, and I am glad to be a part of it!
