About set for my Holiday
Today, I flew from Herat to Kabul. It’s the first leg of the journey that will be this holiday. From here, I fly to Dubai. I’ll spend a day there and then fly to the States.
I was so excited to be starting my vacation that I couldn’t sleep last night. I finally drifted off at about 4:15 AM and had to be up at 5:30 AM. I jumped up when the alarm clock went off and grabbed my bags and my body armor. I had to be at the convoy SP area at 5:50 AM. I got over there with 7 minutes to spare. Just enough time to run to the DFAC to grab a quick sandwich and some fruit.
The SECFOR took me to the airport where I had to wait for another hour before any signs of life became evident at the civilian side of Hirat Airport. I was meeting Farhad there at 7:15 so that he could walk me through any problems that might arise. But I rarely have any problems in Afghanistan. I just started talking in my meager, “pigeon” Dari and smiling and joking and laughing with folks and I pretty much get away with murder. I’ve yet to be required to check my bags in Hirat. They police have always taken care of it for me. This time, they told me that I could just wait at the terminal and they’d make sure everything went ok. It helps that I wear the uniform of the US Army. But usually it’s my easy laugh that gets me through everything with such ease.
This morning when I walked over to the civilian terminal from the ISAF side, several of the ANP Border or Customs Police had little Mississippi pins on their uniforms. Someone came through and gave several out to the Border Police. I tolk them that I’d have to rectify that and bring some Kentucky pins back with me to share with them.
In the Airport this morning, there were several women sans burqa. And some of them were very pretty. One was Victoria Secret’s model gorgeous. It was difficult to NOT keep looking her way. I certainly can’t stare at or check out women in a place where almost all eyes are on me. I’ve grown accustomed to it but Afghanis stare at me like I’m from Mars. All the time. I think it’s funny. I say hi to everyone. And laugh about it.
I spent the two hours waiting for my flight talking to the Airport Commander and his officers. Several of them, I recognized from my time at FDD. So I used that to start conversations. Usually I didn’t need to start talking as they were all pretty keen to talk to me. Or rather to talk to the American fellow with the loud laugh. One of the Captains explained to me the security features of the terminal and showed me the contraband room. Drawers full of matchbooks and lighters and sprays and even a couple of jerry cans of fuel. Afghans attempt to bring some odd things onto Airplanes with them. Another guy. A LTC. He gave me his Field Training Officer badge to wear on my uniform. This same fellow allowed me to board the plane in advance of the other passengers. That was quite convenient.
There were several children in the terminal awaiting flights. I had taken some fruit and pop tarts from the DFAC. I gave most of it away to the children. A couple of apples and a banana. One little girl was crying loudly. I took the banana and gave it to her mother. I figured most kids love bananas. It might help. Eventually, she ate the banana and stopped crying. I gave another little girl a pack of gum. When I got to Kabul, I gave a couple cute little boys some candy that the Chaplain had given me earlier in the week. I love getting the smiles in return and the shy little “tashakors” in reply.
Of course, I took the first seat next to the exit when I got on the airplane. It was a full flight so an Afghani fellow sat next to me. I could tell that he was confused by my uniform. I’m obviously American. Yet, I’ve got Afghani patches and badges all over my unifrorm. I laughed as I listened to his friend explain it to him. I could understand pieces of their conversation.
Eventually, I pulled out my iPod. I watched some videos while I waited for the airplane to take off. My neighbor was fascinated. He stared at my iPod like it was magical. So, of course, I played the videos that I have that have the sexiest women. Shakira Hips Don’t Lie and La Tortura. That kind of thing. I don’t think the guy blinked.
After the plane was safely in the air and we were on our way to Kabul, I put the iPod in my pocket and dozed off. I was awakened 90 minutes later and told that we were about to land. Thank God they woke me. We landed so hard that I’m sure I would have panicked and thought we were crashing had I been asleep.
We hit the ground hard. HARD. Then twisted left and right until they pilot got it all under control. It seemed to me that he took an inordinate amount of time to slow as well. That’s Ariana for ya. I’ve heard that they are a bit wild as far as Afghani Airlines go.
We landed. Boarded a blue bus for the terminal. Once inside the terminal at Kabul, it is pure madness at the luggage carousel. There is one baggage carousel. People coming from Herat, Teheran, new Delhi, Dubai, Qandahar and other places. Chaos ensues as everyone attempts to get their bags. There are no signs or announcements. Just bags flying off the carousel and people crowding forward in an attempt to get their bags or just close enough to see if their bags are coming along. It’s pretty insane.
After you get your bags, you have to show your baggage claim tickets to exit the area. Next, you walk over to the practically unmanned x-ray machine to have your bags checked by these wholly “professional” souls. They barely pay any attention. Grab your bags on the other end and you are free.
My ride was waiting for me in Parking Lot 3. So I had a ways to walk. I walk out of the Kabul Pax Terminal and the sun smacks me in the face. Then I have to walk through Parking Lot 2 and on to PL3.
Parking Lot 3 is also the waiting area for flights. A few months ago, it was an open area. No shelter. Nothing. You waited for your flight in the rain, snow, sun, cold or heat. So basically, you called ahead and arrived no earlier than one hour before boarding. I waited out there for 3 hours in the hot September sun last year. I just read a book. Luckily, it doesn’t rain often in Kabul.
To get to my ride, I had to pass through hundreds of folks who were either waiting to board or waiting for friends, family and colleagues arriving from around the globe. Of course, I got a hundred confused looks because of my uniform and Afghani police insignia. I just kept moving and laughing. Finally, I got through the crowds and Arif was waiting for me on the other side.
I threw my bags in his vehicle and he drove me home to the safehouse.
Now, I’m waiting for my flight to Dubai. Dubai. That’s when the fun begins…
November 29, 2008 at 2:50 pm
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