Christmas Eve in Afghanistan is no different than any other. Basically it sucks.
There is little to do, lines at the phone kiosk, and a line at the crappy, sorry ass excuse for a coffee shop Green Bean. They serve the functional equivalent of dirt and burnt coffee beans. I go to the Canadian's place, Tim Horton's. Great coffees at a great price.Have I mentioned there is no legal liquor on any American base in Afghanistan?
Anyway, there are some highlights. If you own a laptop, you can watch DVDs. Some of the fellows make a big deal out of it, and set up a movie trading and watching group. Others shoot pool, read, or work out. Actually, in comparison to even 20 years ago, most of the bases have pretty sophisticated amenities. Of course, there are some without even the most basic facilities.
Tonight, the ground pounders shot a few flares off. You could tell it was for fun and the holidays, because they didn't open up and spend thirty to forty thousand dollars worth of ammunition. It was fun to watch.
The Mountains at Tarin Kowt.I will be counting my blessings, call home at 0400 which will make it about supper time there. Going to say howdy to all my family and friends that are eating dinner with us.
I hope Y'all have a safe and wonderful Holiday season! Keep your eyes open, and your feet on the ground.
Best regards,
Albert
Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you, son. Thank You and everybody at that end of the earth for doing what needs to be done. May God Bless you and Keep you all during your tour, and I pray everyday that you all come home to us safe and sound.
ReplyDeletea broken down 0311
Semper Fi.
Yo Range!
ReplyDeleteWhat gives Brother? What's with the desert-jockey, headwrap and that slack-jawed pose with your hand in your pocket......? You look like you're trying to pick-up sailors!! LOL!!!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Albert. Be safe. Keep me posted.
Love Always,
-GoGo
Merry Christmas Albert!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Albert, and thanks to you and all your compadres over there for your service.
ReplyDeleteWolfy
Nothing to drink?
ReplyDeleteLeft the cigars at home?
Cheer up, there are worse fates:
We unwisely gave the littlest bushwacker a karaoke set. I'm just about ready to gouge out my own ears, and its only been an hour. So far.
SBW
My friend, I wish you a merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteStay Safe.
Steve
--
The Firearm Blog
"Firearms not Politics"
http://www.thefirearmblog.com
Many thoughts and prayers are headed your way. I hope you are home safe and soon. Best to you,
ReplyDeleteyour friend,
B.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New year my friend and please be safe and watch your 6.
ReplyDeleteLooks like some good highcountry with draws and canyons for game in the background. Hope all is well and keep your head down. Ed
ReplyDeleteHang in there & come home in one piece. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThanks my friends!
ReplyDeleteYeah it's cold out here sometimes, but really it could be worse!
Wild Ed, the only game out here is mice and two legged goat suckers, if you know what I mean!
SBW got a few cigars, but the prices at the British PX keep the Cohibas out of reach!
Toaster, LSP, Rick, Swamp and Brigid, thank you for keeping me and my fellow Americans in your thoughts.
And GoGo that's the relaxed pose of someone that has just survived yet another ill thought attempt on his life. Damn taliban bastards!
Best regards to everyone and thanks to every one of you for keeping me in your thoughts!
Albert
Thanks my friends!
ReplyDeleteYeah it's cold out here sometimes, but really it could be worse!
Wild Ed, the only game out here is mice and two legged goat suckers, if you know what I mean!
SBW got a few cigars, but the prices at the British PX keep the Cohibas out of reach!
Toaster, LSP, Rick, Swamp and Brigid, thank you for keeping me and my fellow Americans in your thoughts.
And GoGo that's the relaxed pose of someone that has just survived yet another ill thought attempt on his life. Damn taliban bastards!
Best regards to everyone and thanks to every one of you for keeping me in your thoughts!
Albert
Hey Albert!
ReplyDeleteYou look after yourself and remember: KLMF (keep low, move fast)
From the British black humour TV series 'Black Adder':
'So, Captain, what is the procedure if one steps on a mine?'
'Well, generally, Lieutenant, you hurl yourself 200 feet into the air and scatter yourself over a wide area'
I was a bomb disposal officer and am missing a few bits so I can get away with a joke like that.
Trust the Canouks to have the best coffee but, since half of them are French, not surprising really.
I had a heart attack last month so have been 'retired' by the company to rest up and get the treatment I need. For a while, Marcia hid all my firearms and wouldn't let me write with anything sharper than a crayon. Now she recognises I need to work so I am finishing off our Hunting and Fishing Lodge. Swinging a pick-axe and bullying contractors is probably the best medicine anyway.
In a small tribute to Ernest H, I managed to get the company registered as the Complexo Turistico Floridito.
So Raschman, have as good a new year as you can under the circumstances and rememember that there's a load of people out there rooting for you and the rest of the lads.
Best regards
Tom
Hope the new year brings you many fortunes Albert!
ReplyDeleteThe very best to you,
T. Michael
Good to read you're doing okay over there Albert.
ReplyDeleteStay safe.
I'm glad you've found some net access along with the coffee, Albert. Keep the posts running smoothly in the New Year, y'hear?
ReplyDelete(And keep looking after yourself, of course!)
Best wishes,
HH
Hi Albert, Its Yolanda Have the best New Year ever. When are you coming home?
ReplyDeleteDang and stuff... turn my back on this blog for a few days and look what I missed!
ReplyDeleteReal sorry to be belated, but happy to at least be able to say Happy Christmas and New Year to you and yours, Albert. Good to know you're still thumping on a keyboard.
Hurry back.. SHOT just isn't gonna be the same without you this year.
Dang and stuff... turn my back on this blog for a few days and look what I missed!
ReplyDeleteReal sorry to be belated, but happy to at least be able to say Happy Christmas and New Year to you and yours, Albert. Good to know you're still thumping on a keyboard.
Hurry back.. SHOT just isn't gonna be the same without you this year.