Much as we might have wanted to stay in Louisiana (be assured we didn't), our path led elsewhere. We arrived at the airport around midnight and began our journey halfway around the world. We were packed into our plane tight as could be and began journeying first to Maine, then Ireland and then Kyrgyzstan. Flying into Kyrgyzstan, the only thing I could conclude was that it was a sparsely populated country.We landed at Manas Air Force base and waited for transportation to Afghanistan. We didn't know how long we were going to be there. They told us it could be a week or 24 hours. We tried to enjoy our stay as much as we could. They had amenities that made us feel like Kyrgyzstan was nothing more than a vacation. It wasn't. The hesco barriers and armed guards at the gate were a constant reminder.Finally we got word that we were about to be locked down in preparation for our flight into Afghanistan. We loaded all of our gear and equipment and sat in a large building and waited...
Finally we got word to grab our carry on items and make our way to the bus. We boarded the bus and drove out to the runway and began boarding.
Our flight took off and we rapidly ascended. I took this opportunity to read, but someone told me that we were able to go up to the cockpit. I jumped at the chance. When I made it up to the cockpit, the view was breathtaking.
The co-pilot even took a picture for me through his heads-up display.
One of the crew chiefs told me that we were flying over the Hindu Kush mountains. I was impressed. As I descended from he cockpit, I noticed that the crew had strung an American flag and I know it's corny, but I felt moved by it.
We were told to take our seats as we flew into Afghan airspace. What seemed like a peaceful ride made a somewhat turbulent turn as the plane descended into Kabul. When one thinks of a descent, it's usually gradual as to not cause too much discomfort. I cannot say the same for this ride. It was a rapid descent and felt more like a roller coaster than anything else. We landed with a thud and many of the soldiers who had been sleeping were jarred awake.
We exited the aircraft and Kabul International Airport lay before us. Ringed by hilltops to our immediate front and the Hindu Kush mountains farther away, it was an impressive site.
We waited around Kabul airport for transportation to Camp Phoenix. When we finally got it, we got our first look at what Afghanistan looks like. I don't have any pictures of that yet. All I can say is that the country is... different. We weren't in the countryside for long, but my observation is that the country is impoverished and crowded. People milled about our convoy as if no one noticed that armed Americans were driving through the street. Shops were open all around us. When I say shops, picture boxed sheet metal with a signs written in Dari, Pashto and English. Goods were sold at every corner. Our drive was short, but something sparked one of the soldiers. A soldier pointed at something outside of the window and shouted, "Did that Afghan just flick me off?" We all laughed, but I couldn't help but feel somewhat unsettled. Was it anger or something that our non-adept American minds couldn't perceive? I don't know. As we become accustomed to Afghanistan, perhaps it will all be made clear, but perhaps not.
I have to run for now, but I'll try and write something about Camp Phoenix at a later point. Cheers.
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