First post on SG... I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous... Not really sure why.
I love writing journal entries, I don't like using facebook for it however. But I feel like writing, and investing some time here. I figured I'd spread a little insight on something I've had the opportunity to experience that a lot of people haven't.
I've been here in Afghanistan for about two months, It's not a terrible place, really. I'm on a FOB that could be considered the Hawaii of Aghanistan, it was a resort for wealthy english that would vacation here before the russians invaded, some very brutal and horrifying history from that point on.
The people... Well... The men here, are all very friendly as long as you show proper respect. All but the most washed away people, are very personable and open to others. I envy the way they connect to one another. On that note, the homosexuality and man-boy love that is rumored to be daily life here... Not so true, men with men is as common as it is in the states, it just isn't resented as much here. Young boys are more for eccentric aristocrats. Women are coveted (thus, the burkah), first by the father, then by the husband (with violent gusto, I might add), which is unfortunate because there are a lot of gorgeous women here.
The kids here are the essence of punk rock, they kick each others ass just to stave of boredom, they are true con artists by leading you into friendly conversation, then asking for things in between trying to make you into their new best friend. I saw one kid get jacked in the head by a shovel, got up, dusted himself off, and skipped away. One time I was on guard, a kid was relentlessly trying to get candy/food/pencils/pens/watch/boots/etc from me, none of which I had to give, after telling him so... well, heres some dialouge: kid-"give me boots?" Me-"I can't, I need these." -"you give me nothing?" -"I don't have anything" -"You fuck my sister?" -"...what?" -"Fuck my sister, you give me boots." -"Erm... no." -"fuck you, guy!" -"Get out of here!" -"suck my dick, bitch (pulls his pants down and shakes his worm at me.)"
The highest dream of most of the booming child population here is to become an interpreter (Terjimon)... Aparently the Terjimon are like rockstars around here. The children are taught english primarily, over math, science, history, etc. Children dream of someday living in America, but the educational athorities, fearing some sort of mass exodus, have taught the children that coming to America is some sort of nearly unreachable conquest.
Leaders, athorities, and politicians are corrupt, which is nothing new, but they lack the resorces to support the level of corruption, unlike most other places in the world. It's unfortunate, because if they could get their shit together a little bit, this country would have rediculous income from minerals, even tourism for a second time in history. It would be a lovely place to visit if foreigners didn't have to fear public execution.
We sometimes go on mission with a Female Engagement Team (FET), which we have to talk to/help the women we come across since outside men are not allowed to talk to or look at their women. The people here go wild for the FET, they will bring them food, tea, pretty much anything they have, take pictures with them like they were a national monument. Our two FETs have recieved multiple marriage proposals, pretty crazy. For a society that likes to show off so much (they paint their vehicles with colorful murals, use shiny decals, weld dangly bits of metal, show off how new ther cell phone is.) you would think that they would omve towards uncovering their women "Thats my girl!" Coming from a guy, one of the biggest bragging rights is showing off an attractive girl. Ah well, maybe someday.
Anyways, just wanted to toss some tidbits out there. Hope you found some entertainment here.
I love writing journal entries, I don't like using facebook for it however. But I feel like writing, and investing some time here. I figured I'd spread a little insight on something I've had the opportunity to experience that a lot of people haven't.
I've been here in Afghanistan for about two months, It's not a terrible place, really. I'm on a FOB that could be considered the Hawaii of Aghanistan, it was a resort for wealthy english that would vacation here before the russians invaded, some very brutal and horrifying history from that point on.
The people... Well... The men here, are all very friendly as long as you show proper respect. All but the most washed away people, are very personable and open to others. I envy the way they connect to one another. On that note, the homosexuality and man-boy love that is rumored to be daily life here... Not so true, men with men is as common as it is in the states, it just isn't resented as much here. Young boys are more for eccentric aristocrats. Women are coveted (thus, the burkah), first by the father, then by the husband (with violent gusto, I might add), which is unfortunate because there are a lot of gorgeous women here.
The kids here are the essence of punk rock, they kick each others ass just to stave of boredom, they are true con artists by leading you into friendly conversation, then asking for things in between trying to make you into their new best friend. I saw one kid get jacked in the head by a shovel, got up, dusted himself off, and skipped away. One time I was on guard, a kid was relentlessly trying to get candy/food/pencils/pens/watch/boots/etc from me, none of which I had to give, after telling him so... well, heres some dialouge: kid-"give me boots?" Me-"I can't, I need these." -"you give me nothing?" -"I don't have anything" -"You fuck my sister?" -"...what?" -"Fuck my sister, you give me boots." -"Erm... no." -"fuck you, guy!" -"Get out of here!" -"suck my dick, bitch (pulls his pants down and shakes his worm at me.)"
The highest dream of most of the booming child population here is to become an interpreter (Terjimon)... Aparently the Terjimon are like rockstars around here. The children are taught english primarily, over math, science, history, etc. Children dream of someday living in America, but the educational athorities, fearing some sort of mass exodus, have taught the children that coming to America is some sort of nearly unreachable conquest.
Leaders, athorities, and politicians are corrupt, which is nothing new, but they lack the resorces to support the level of corruption, unlike most other places in the world. It's unfortunate, because if they could get their shit together a little bit, this country would have rediculous income from minerals, even tourism for a second time in history. It would be a lovely place to visit if foreigners didn't have to fear public execution.
We sometimes go on mission with a Female Engagement Team (FET), which we have to talk to/help the women we come across since outside men are not allowed to talk to or look at their women. The people here go wild for the FET, they will bring them food, tea, pretty much anything they have, take pictures with them like they were a national monument. Our two FETs have recieved multiple marriage proposals, pretty crazy. For a society that likes to show off so much (they paint their vehicles with colorful murals, use shiny decals, weld dangly bits of metal, show off how new ther cell phone is.) you would think that they would omve towards uncovering their women "Thats my girl!" Coming from a guy, one of the biggest bragging rights is showing off an attractive girl. Ah well, maybe someday.
Anyways, just wanted to toss some tidbits out there. Hope you found some entertainment here.