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Iain's unit ISTAR, receiving some new equipment.
31 October 2003 - Camp Julien
All,
Happy Halloween! I hope that trick or treating goes well, and I’m sad that I’m going to miss it. Does Colin still
try to get into the houses he finds interesting?
I am busy here, as I am doing two jobs. I am out in the city more, and that eats up the day (and make the time
go faster). It is Ramadan, but the town seems even busier than normal. The weather is now quite nice. It is
cool at night (4 degrees) with a daytime high in the low 20s.
I was at the airport the other day picking up a visiting officer. It was nice to sit in the arrival/departure lounge. I
could almost imagine leaving. On the way back the jeep behind me got held up by traffic so we stopped at an
intersection to wait. I got out of the jeep. Two women walked by in burquas, and one gave me a furtive
“thumbs up.” I would have been no more surprised if a passing sheep had stood up and said hello.
I was at the German camp last night for a Summary Trial (I was the Assisting Officer). We were there a bit
early so I had some time to kill. The Europeans were having a party with a band, lots of food and lots of
drinks. They have much more liberal rules than us. While I couldn’t drink, it was nice to sit with some people I
know. For a minute you could forget that you were in Kabul (until someone’s rifle banged into you).
I’ve been here almost three months, so I guess I’m near the halfway point. While home is still a long way off it
is nevertheless much closer than it was in August!
Thanks for all the packages. Getting mail is a great thing.
Love
Iain