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Sent: 09 August 2003 13:57
To: David Clark; Jen Clark
Subject: The Value of Money
I went to Brigade HQ again today, and after some work I visited the vendors
that have set up shop in sea containers. After some looking around I settled
on a camouflage "warlord hat" as my souvenir. If I grow my beard I think I
would make a fine mujahadeen commander. The cost of the hat was two
Euros ($2 US). While haggling is customary, I would only consider it for a
large order. Besides, as you all know I hate to make a fuss.
Back at our camp their was a small market set up. Two vendors had brought
in their wares (all the same stuff really). One nine-year old boy seemed to be
running the show. Haggling battles were usually deferred to him by the other
men. They had many DVDs on for sale ($2 US). I thought of the saying "If
it looks too good to be true..." My suspicions were confirmed when a soldier
returned his copy of Terminator 3, complaining that he could see moviegoers
getting up and down. I put down the T3 that I had been considering, but then
bought "The Beast." The Beast is an 80s movie about a Soviet tank crew in
Afghanistan. Since it would be hard to sneak a video camera into an 80s
movie theatre I figured the movie was legit. I had heard of it, but had never
seen it. I handed over my $2.
There is a small army of afghan workers who do the heavy labour for our
camp construction. They work remarkably fast given the heat. They are
broken down into three groups. The white helmets seem to be the planners.
The red helmets seem to be the directors. The yellow helmets seem to be the
workers.
They arrive a few hours after dawn in a procession of vehicles followed by a
single file of yellow helmets carrying shovels. Trucks drop off earth that they
then put into our "hexco bastions" (kind of like a cake form) that protect our
sleeping quarters. Someone told me that the yellow hats make $2 US a day.
It must be worth it to them, as they have been working for some time, and
they are very enthusiastic.
Love,
Iain
Post Script
Turns out that my copy of The Beast has the Afghan roles translated into Dari.
The Russian parts are in their original English. There are no subtitles either
way, so while quite realistic it is rather hard to follow. Guess I got my 2
bucks worth!
IS2003-2471a
06 July, 2003
Kabul, Afghanistan
Locally-employed civilians
help construct a building at
the Canadian International
Security Assistance Force
(ISAF) camp in Kabul,
Afghanistan.
Sent: 08 August 2003 06:33
To: David Clark
Subject: Re: August 2 Globe and Mail Article
[Re a Globe and Mail article that David had forwarded to Iain]
Pretty good description of the city. We are very alert when we go out, and we
are never casual about our activities. The camp will be very impressive when it
is complete!
Iain
Sent: 07 August 2003 16:51
Subject: News from Iain
Importance: High
We are thrilled to be able to report that we've heard from Iain via email. Today, he has sent a couple to Jen
and one to us. Excerpts:
"We arrived safely, and we're starting to get used to the place. We're in temporary accommodations, but
everything is fine. It is hot and dusty, but no muggier than London in Jun!"
"Things are good here, and we are getting settled in. I went into town today, and it was a very interesting
trip. There is a lot of wreckage, and I imagine that it will be some time before the town is back in shape.
Still, people seem to be working hard, and most seem to like us.
"Say hi to mom and the rest of the family,"
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