Bazaar thoughts, and other random things...

Yesterday we went to the bazaar, which was an experience in and of itself!  The Afghani street vendors can be very intimidating.  One guy kept trying to grab my hand and ended up trying to chase me down when I didn't want to pay $30 for a rug.  I don't think that I am built for haggling.  I did end up getting a rug for $18, and it was burnt orange too!  Now before you think that I am a good haggler, the guy started at $20, I said $15, he said $18, and I said sold.  He was very low pressure, and I appreciated him not trying to assault me, so I was fine paying $18.  My roommate was much better at it than me.  She got her rug for $10.  A Master Sergeant that went out with us, got his for $6.  So, like I said, I don't think I'm built for haggling....

When I got to my office yesterday, it was under a few inches of water because it had rained, and by now you should remember that my office floods.  So we spent a good hour or so sucking up the water.  Luckily we were able to find a shop-vac that actually worked.

Today, my whole office went up to the 82nd Airborne Division's Headquarters (the division we fall under while in Afghanistan) to meet the SJA (Staff Judge Advocate or the head lawyer at KAF).  It was a good visit, mainly because one of my very good friends is currently deployed with the 82nd and I finally got to see her today.  Hopefully we will be able to meet up more often, because it sure helps seeing a friend while you are downrange.  Unfortunately, sometimes it is logistically hard to meet up because there is a policy that females are not supposed to walk places by themselves after dark, which hinders my ability to meet her for dinner if I can't find someone to go with me.

Speaking of that policy, I understand that it is for the safety of all females, as I guess there have been quite a few sexual assaults.  But I do find it rather funny that I can't walk by myself when I am carrying a weapon and a magazine full of ammo.  If I needed to, I think I could take care of myself.  They also issue female Soldiers rape whistles....I'm pretty sure my M-16 would be more of deterrent than the rape whistle.

Here are some random pictures that I took yesterday and today.  Sorry there aren't that many of them.

Sucking up the water

My roommate

This is the reason I prefer to walk over taking the bus...apparently this is a common occurrence.

Well, that's it for now as I have to get up at 0245 to see if I can get a hot shower before heading into the office to catch the Superbowl at 0400...