Welcome to Kabul

How can anything exist here? So much dessert and rock! I landed at KIA (Kabul International Airport) at 10:30 AM on Nov. 22, after a 2 hour flight from Dubai and after waiting for 7 hrs in the Dubai airport – another night of no sleep! Although the main Dubai airport was a blend of fantasyland and Disneyland on steroids, I had to go to Terminal 2, a 10 minute taxi drive away; and here it was not so glamorous! but in fact very basic I had to wait here with many soldiers and locals. I was carrying my new laptop that HQ had given to me, but didn’t realize they had also put a mobile hand radio in the case. When the computer bag went through the xray machine, it picked up on the radio, which for some reason the security dudes did not like. My reaction to the discovery of the radio ...they also did not like…. Lets just say there was lots of drama over the radio. Security ended up giving it the flight crew and told me to get it when I landed in Kabul….easier said than done. I had a window seat and was able to see the landscape all the way here. Endless brown sand, dry river beds, mountains and some occasional snow on the peaks, that’s about it!! The city of Kabul is very spread out with over 3 million people. It was also brown but the straight lines of roads and thousand square plots of building gave it away! The people have started building up the mountains as well. Upon landing, we went by by a pile of destroyed airplanes, reminders of the past. The airport was nothing fancy what so ever. As soon as I entered the building, I had to join the queue for passport control. A rag tag of police in gray wool uniforms with guns sat behind the simple counters. The queue moved very slowly. The actual process of getting through custom was very easy, I don’t think he even looked at me…just gave me the stamp. Finding the luggage was an adventure as all the luggage was just dumped in a room and it a free for all by everyone to get their bags. Wandering around were plain clothes US contract soldiers armed to the teeth. I then had to find the mobile radio, which took 20 minutes and I had 5 people trying to help me. Not making any progress, I was about to give up, when it finally appeared. With luggage and radio in hand I had to walk to the third parking lot, as no vehicles were allowed near the airport entrance for obvious reason. Nicholas (Logistics Coordinator) and the driver were waiting for me and I was warmly welcomed to Kabul and jumped into the unmarked van. I was so incredibly tired, but the excitement of arriving kept me going. The 20 minute drive to the house took us through Kabul and the reality of poverty and chaos was self evident. I was surprised to see so many women (fully covered in their burkas) begging with children in hand on the pot hole dirt roads. In some ways, the scenes reminded me of India. I was immediately given my new code name “Alpha 4” is my new identity. I arrived at my new home, also un marked, and behind a big gate. The place is big with 7 rooms. There was grass, albeit brownish, and trees and a garden. I received a hero’s welcome by Anne (Head of Mission) and Lisa (Wat/San Tech Adviser from Paris) and Alice (Adminsitrator)….all of them from France. They were so happy I finally made it. The house is made mud, yes mud that has hardened and has settled in many locations, giving the whole place a slanted look. It is quote unique and I ‘ll take more photo later. An hour later (dead tired) I was introduced to Tahare (My Afghan Project Manager from Ghor Province) who was flown into Kabul to give briefings on his project to Lisa and I. I could barely keep my eyes open, but for 2 hours I listened to him. He was genuine, soft spoken, his face weathered from years of harsh living. His English was good, for just learning it recently. He clearly liked his job and told me he looks forward to working with me and being a good employee. In Ghor Province, we (ACF) have several water and sanitation projects going on, unfortunately the security situation is not very good there. Although there was no electricity (common) I got to eat, had a beer, called home to Whitehorse and to mother to say I was ok and then crashed in my new room. Finally my brain could relax a little and I slept for almost 15hours.