The Milk Has Arrived

Things were getting desperate around here.  The DFAC was down to the last of it's milk, and it was strawberry milk.  I'm not a big milk drinker so I wasn't bothered to much by this catastrophe, but I couldn't help thinking that if I had a few cartons of milk stashed I could have made some money.  Besides, we still had ice cream (which is the best form of milk anyway) and if you were really desperate you could melt it and add it to your cereal.  But at lunch today I sat down at a table outside and realized I was surrounded by pallets!!  It's been almost a week now since the Pakistani's opened the border and we're just getting some of the supplies.  I can only imagine what it'll be like at Shank if the borders are closed again.  As long as we've got water, bacon, trail mix and those awesome cookies they have I imagine I'll survive.

Unfortunately I caught either some sort of cold a couple of days ago or the small pox vaccine has kicked my butt.  I'm finally coming back around and am feeling pretty good.  My vaccinated shoulder is nice shade of red and really hot.  I changed the bandage yesterday and it is one huge blister looking thing, I'll spare you the details.  Just remember to pass on this vaccine unless it is really needed.  Which reminds me, I have to get another anthrax shot Monday, that'll be fun.

Not much for me to do here since I won't be working here.  I had to take a few short classes, met the Chief of Construction and a few other people in the construction office up here, got my intel breifing for the area I'm going to and was issued my cell phone and personal locator.  Tomorrow I will be taking a driving test and I should be set to ship out on Sunday.

I went over to Camp Eggers today to browse the Bazaar.  They had Afghan rugs, DVDs, pottery, jewels/stones, places to get suits made, electronics, stone mosaics and old war artifacts.  Of course when I told Katy that I went the first thing she asked was what I bought her.  At one of the tables they had old knives, guns, swords, AND some sort of Viking looking helmet (I'm assuming it was Mongolian or something along that line).  It was awesome!!  I know I could design a Halloween costume around that.  I didn't buy it because I figured it was probably made in China.  :)

Qalaal House is pretty small.  It only takes a few minutes to walk around the entire complex.  It's pretty comfortable though.  The main building used to be the Iraqi Embassy.  It has a lot of huge pine trees on the compound that were planted by the Russians when they occuppied this area.  We have a DFAC, gym and a bunch of stacked conexes that serve as bunks and offices.  The complex is guarded by an Afghani security firm.  They also handle all the security of the local construction and service workers admitted onto the compound.

HOME FRONT UPDATE:  Every time I talk to Sera she asks if I still have enough toilet paper.  She is very concerned that I might have to indulge in the local customs.