dec 20
Wow! Finally a moment to sit down and write. I can't complain about yesterday being busy, as SFC Cohen and I spent about 3 hours in the weekly bazaar to make sure we could complete the all important shopping mission. The bazaar is only once a week, on Fridays, and we can't guarantee we'll be here next week, so we wanted to make sure we got to see it. While we were wandering through, we encountered a Jewish soldier (U.S.) who actually was born in Israel and served in the IDF. He and I were chatting in Hebrew and discussing the upcoming Khanukka services. I was oblivious, but SFC Cohen said that all business came to a halt as the shopkeepers took note and began talking among themselves. He said he casually moved his hand closer in on his weapon. The soldier came to our services last night, which was lovely, and he plans to join us for Khanukka.
BTW- He finally has some ammo. and is so excited, it's really cute. The first night in the DFAC he was looking around and feeling so left out that we was the only one with no clip in his weapon. He had his camera, though- said- he can shoot, he just can't shoot.
Note to David, Sarah and Jessie- Unless there's something special you want, I think you are mission-complete on souvenirs- just let me know if there's anything you're really looking for.
I had to have some of the NCO's do my bargaining for me. The shopkeepers are well aware of rank and when they see a Colonel rank I might as well have a dollar sign as my insignia.
Final alibi on the challenges of travel- We sat around in Kandahar with a young man who was trying to finish a 4 1/2 day mission- said he'd been at it for almost 4 weeks. And- the funniest thing- they deliver Pizza Hut to the APOD!
It was so nice to get settled in on Thurs night- it was the first time SFC Cohen had the opportunity to sleep in a prone position in a solid week. He and I both went to sick call this a.m. Seems everyone who arrives here gets a sore throat, and I sounded like an absolute frog last night. Normally I would have just let it run it's course, but I'm pretty concerned about having my voice back in time for tomorrow night. It is absolutely mission essential! Doctor gave me Mucenex (?) and Sudagest and said it should be noticeably better by tomorrow.
BTW- He finally has some ammo. and is so excited, it's really cute. The first night in the DFAC he was looking around and feeling so left out that we was the only one with no clip in his weapon. He had his camera, though- said- he can shoot, he just can't shoot.
Note to David, Sarah and Jessie- Unless there's something special you want, I think you are mission-complete on souvenirs- just let me know if there's anything you're really looking for.
I had to have some of the NCO's do my bargaining for me. The shopkeepers are well aware of rank and when they see a Colonel rank I might as well have a dollar sign as my insignia.
Final alibi on the challenges of travel- We sat around in Kandahar with a young man who was trying to finish a 4 1/2 day mission- said he'd been at it for almost 4 weeks. And- the funniest thing- they deliver Pizza Hut to the APOD!
It was so nice to get settled in on Thurs night- it was the first time SFC Cohen had the opportunity to sleep in a prone position in a solid week. He and I both went to sick call this a.m. Seems everyone who arrives here gets a sore throat, and I sounded like an absolute frog last night. Normally I would have just let it run it's course, but I'm pretty concerned about having my voice back in time for tomorrow night. It is absolutely mission essential! Doctor gave me Mucenex (?) and Sudagest and said it should be noticeably better by tomorrow.
We had a total of 5 folks at the service last night and it was so nice, despite my squealing. The Sr. Airman who is the local lay leader set a nice table with kosher MRE's and packages of gefilte fish, so after the service we sat and studied the parsha over a little meal. No khalla, but we had plenty of leftover matza. The 3rd attendee is a lay leader back home, who was here in transition, (accompanied someone up here for emergency leave and stuck for 4 days awaiting a flight, with only his overnight back- are you sensing a pattern?) After the service, he continued to hang around making conversation, until we eventually invited him back to our hooch where we have a little area with a couch and chairs. God bless him, he talked until 11:00 at night! SFC Cohen's eyes were closing, and he tried to get away with- "No, I'm really enjoying the conversation." I could not speak about a very low whisper. Our SPC friend was there trying to understand the intricacies of kashrut as explained by the visiting lay leader.
When SFC Cohen began to slip into REM sleep, I ordered him to stand up and go to bed. At that point our guest began to say goodbye and eventually left. He's stationed at some way, outlying Forward Operating Base and won't be able to get back for Khanukka, so we showered him with supplies.
You can't get hung up on numbers on this mission. The way this SGT stayed with us last night was evidence enough of his longing for a Jewish connection. It was painfully obvious how much he just needed to talk to other people who understood him and his tradition. It's moments like that they make all of this worthwhile.
Today has been an easier day. Dropped off laundry (there's no place to do your own, but they have 24 hr. turnaround service), ate a meal and am finally having an opportunity to catch up to y'all.
The NCO at the chapel we're working at was with me in Iraq in 2006- he's anxious now to show me his photos from that trip.
Funny comment of the day- Waiting at the DFAC last night with some Marines, we noticed the detail in their camouflage pattern- it has a subtle US Marines integrated into it. We were both impressed with how cool it was and how it the Marines consistently out-cool us. They coolly, replied, "That's our role!"
When SFC Cohen began to slip into REM sleep, I ordered him to stand up and go to bed. At that point our guest began to say goodbye and eventually left. He's stationed at some way, outlying Forward Operating Base and won't be able to get back for Khanukka, so we showered him with supplies.
You can't get hung up on numbers on this mission. The way this SGT stayed with us last night was evidence enough of his longing for a Jewish connection. It was painfully obvious how much he just needed to talk to other people who understood him and his tradition. It's moments like that they make all of this worthwhile.
Today has been an easier day. Dropped off laundry (there's no place to do your own, but they have 24 hr. turnaround service), ate a meal and am finally having an opportunity to catch up to y'all.
The NCO at the chapel we're working at was with me in Iraq in 2006- he's anxious now to show me his photos from that trip.
Funny comment of the day- Waiting at the DFAC last night with some Marines, we noticed the detail in their camouflage pattern- it has a subtle US Marines integrated into it. We were both impressed with how cool it was and how it the Marines consistently out-cool us. They coolly, replied, "That's our role!"
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