Settling in

I'm slowly getting settled in and trying to get into a routine here.  So far, it's not that bad.  It is very muddy, as it apparently rained a lot before I got here, and everything is dirt roads.  I have yet to have a hot or even remotely warm shower since I have arrived here.  I am still holding out hope that it will happen.  If nothing else, I should be able to get a hot shower when it becomes like 130 degrees....of course by then I will probably want a cold shower.  I live about 1.2 miles from the office, and there is a bus that runs to and from the office and pretty much all around the base.  I choose not to take the bus because I like to walk, and am hoping with walking back and forth at least 2 times a day, it will help me on my quest to lose at least 30 pounds while I'm here.

 

Speaking of losing weight....The food choices are pretty plentiful.  Kandahar is a NATO base, so there are many different countries here, and some have there own DFAC (dining facility in case you have already forgotten that acronym).  Last night I ate at the Asian DFAC and it was pretty good.  They had curry and different stir fry.  I have heard good things about the British DFAC, which surprises me because the British aren't necessarily known for their culinary feats. 

 

I went to the gym last night, and the gym here is different from the gyms back in the states.  Normally at a gym, you have to wait for a treadmill or an elliptical machine and there is usually no problems getting on the weights.  Here, is the exact opposite.  I had my pick of treadmills and ellipticals while there were lots of people standing around waiting for different weight machines.  I am very happy about that as I like to use the ellipticals as they are no impact and are better for back problems.

 

The PX here is really kind of a joke.  With so many people here they really never have anything in stock.  So I have resorted to trying to by things online.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of restrictions on what companies will ship to APO addresses.  For the record, Amazon and Walmart will not ship a pillow to an APO address, but Brookstone will.  So I got a Brookstone pillow!  I made the mistake of not buying a broom the other day when I saw them on the shelf, and now they are out.  So I have to go everyday to see if they have any in stock.  With all the dirt roads and wind, everything gets covered in dirt, so sweeping is an everyday occurrence.

 

I am trying hard to maintain a positive attitude about this deployment, as I have seen some people who just complain about everything and think that they are going to have an awful year.  So far, it hasn't been hard to stay positive, and I'm sure some days will be harder than others.  But right now, other than the extremely cold showers, I have nothing to complain about :)