Night mission to nowhere

I was asked to drive to a Afghan restaurant in Kabul. Somewhere I've never been. All eating with Afghans is done after dark since it is Ramadan. Apparently the time of night when you are allowed to eat is "when you can't tell the difference between a white thread and a black thread... so pretty freakin late at night. usually only between 9pm and 3am.So off we go to this restaurant in the middle of nowhere Kabul.... fun thing is we get to wear civilian clothes instead of military, doesn't make much of adifference since we're still wearing our gear,but it makes for fun pictures. the drive is great because little markets and shopping centers pop up out of everwhere... you turn down a new street and all of a sudden you're in the middle of a street market. and of course bad traffic.

we get there..drop off the civilians then head to a near by base to hang out and park the vehicles since the restaurant is not in a secure location.

Dinner is closed .... so the cooks bring out what is left over... corn on the cob.

Corn on the cob and pop tarts, for dinner. oh and cake and all the drinks you want.

off to the MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) for movies and hanging out.

off to the restaurant again to pick up the passengers...

along the way we are met by "street urchins" little kids who roam the streets for money, washing your windows with filthy rags. they hang on for almost a full block standing on the step rails...

luckily we get up to about 10kph (6-7 mph) before we slow again and they jump off.

Its hard to see these kids everyday and know there is not much more in the world for them. the possibilities are few and the obstacles are nothing short of impossible. some make a life for themselves and the stories are amazing of how they not only survive but go on to lead fulfilling and purposeful lives.

back at the restaurant we pose for ridiculous pictures and wait around for the passengers.

another night mission in the bag.

after the mission is Gatorade and NearBeer at the Nordic bar... PSD guy plays guitar someone

sings... we all mingle and call it a night.