Street Girl at the Bazaar

These little girls sell scarves (chador) on the street towards ISAF. My co-worker and an American who has been in country eight years were able to sponsor the the girls for the Women's Bazaar at Camp Eggers. This photo was taken just after the bazaar opened. The girls were charging twice the price what they charge on the street. When I returned at bazaar closing, most of the chador were gone. The girls had fat wallets and huge smiles. The sponsor who has been here eight years told the girls mother they had made enough to get off the street. I haven't seen them the last two weeks. Success!

Afghan Women Vendors

Eggers is sponsoring a women only bazaar in a few weeks. These women came on base to get ID cards. I asked to take a photo and created a hubbub. One women dawned her burqa before she'd let me take the photo. The AF major in the middle is fantastic in her compassion and energy on behalf of these women.

Air Force legal staff - Camp Eggers

The Air Force sent us a Christmas care package that included antlers for all of us. Here are your Air Force legal staff stationed at Camp Eggers. Happy Holidays!

<<12 Dec Cp Eggers 002.jpg>> Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: FOUO

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: FOUO

Connex Construction

I came out of the Swamp (my residence connexes) one morning and they were using a crane to load new connexes for a third floor on the Maxwell House. Its surprising how fast these self contained rooms can welded in place creating living and office space for Camp residents. The connexes are quite hospitable, if cramped.

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Farewell

This is a scene from the farewell of a fellow Air Force deployee. A small ceremony was held in front of the legal office for the presentation of medals and mementos. The Army personnel deploy generally on one year tours. We Air Force usually rotate back after six months. It's kind of a sad moment, but all of us are grateful for the duty those leaving have performed and thankful for their friendship. We are happy that they are able to return to their loved ones and their home bases. Their leaving is a reminder that we too will soon depart.

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ISAF Bazaar - Carpet

There are several carpet sellers on ISAF and Camp Eggers that are open throughout the week. One of the vendors on Eggers just sells Afghan carpets. His name is Mirwais and offers us tea each time we go in his shop. It is a calming respite to be able to drink some tea with friends and learn about carpets.

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Gator Alley - Camp Eggers

This is the main street in Camp Eggers--or Gator Alley. One can envision it as it once was when it was an affluent residential street in Kabul. A house a few blocks away belonged to a former Prime Minister. The trees arching over the street and the cobblestones make for a very European affect.

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Navy Chief Pinning Ceremony - Camp Eggers

This is the final piping aboard to the Chief's Mess of a newly promoted Navy Chief Petty Officer (E-7) af the flag poles on Camp Eggers, Kabul, Afghanistan. The ceremony with much ritual is the final rite before the new Chiefs assume the increased responsibilities of Chief. The ceremony lasted 50 minutes, but the capping with the Chiefs hat, ringing the bell twice, and piping aboard at the end were most impressive. Although land locked, the U.S. Navy is here in number and stepping up to the plate for joint operations. Welcome aboard matey!

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Camp Eggers at Night

I moved into my permanent connex three nights ago. I just noticed this sign for Camp Eggers that brightens the evening just across the road from the stairway to my floor. I walked around Camp two nights ago at 2300 and it was pleasant without the hustle and bustle. I could hear Afghan music wafting in from loudspeakers on two sides of the Camp. It is Ramadan and I surmise that they celebrating breaking their daily fast. Ramadan ends Thursday, 9 Sep and Eid begins through 11 Sep. Thus, no laundry, no bazaar, et al. because of the holiday. Sep 9th is also a holiday memorializing Afghan national hero Ahmad Shah Massoud who was assassinated just before 9-11 in 2001.

Since I have moved into my room, I have more robust internet capability and I will try to keep the blog updated more frequently. I have walked over to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) three times in the past week. Some street kids try to hustle dollars and pens near ISAF. I have bought pens and note pads to hand out, but one of the little buggers took my $9 write anywhere pen out of my sleeve holder. I noticed right away and one of the older kids made him give it back. On the last trip, I gave out hard candy which seemed to be a big hit.

We don't get days off (even holidays), thus the time is blending together. What day is it? I look forward the Friday bazaar to break the routine, but this week we have to do without because of Eid. Whew! Two weeks without an interlude.

Anyway, khuda hafez.

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Roses in Kabul

When I arrived at Camp Eggers in Kabul, they dumped five of us on the side of the road mid-way down outside one of the Camp walls. We had about 1,000 pounds of gear and numerous weapons. We ferried them in relays to the gate and then inside the other gate. Tiring of this, I emailed my office for some help. Some folks from other offices had brought down carts with bicycle wheels, dollys, etc. My legal folks came en masse (six people) and each grabbed a bag. We had to schlep the stuff by hand half a mile in to the Camp (no vehicles).

Camp Eggers is a former residential area in Kabul. Thus, all our offices, workplaces, and lodging are in the homes and yards of residences. We rent the space from the displaced owners. We have a lot of U.S. and coalition forces crammed into a few blocks of downtown Kabul.

The photo above is the entrance to my temporary lodging. I live in a basement room with eight other transient folks waiting for a permanent room. We shower outside in trailers near where the Mongolian soldiers do guard mount before their shift changes. The thing I noticed the first morning heading out to the shower was the strong, rose fragrance permeating the air. It was a beautiful morning and I hope, a harbinger of the next six months.

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