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01/27/2004: "Kandahar Chronicles #61 - 23/01/2004"

I don’t know what it is about this place. I have a month left in my extended contract and I’m not sure if I’m happy about it or not. In a few days, I will be the only one left from the happy gang of summer. What a different time it was then. Parties, swimming pool, and scandalous relationships kept the pressures of work and the ever-present tension of the security situation at bay. Soon my old friend Philippe will leave and then I’m sure I will start counting the days. The expat presence is very limited now and the weather is cold making it difficult to find a pressure release. It would be a different story if we could stroll through the bazaar after work and chat with the locals but security doesn’t allow for that.

On top of this, with operations in Zhare Dasht still suspended, work doesn’t feel as rewarding as before. Before, if I became pissed off with things I could always hop in a vehicle and drive up to the camp. Bustling health posts, talking with IDP elders, winding up some kids and wide-open spaces would always give me a boost. Now, with just the hospital running smoothly, it seems that this is just about ticking chores off a list. At least I’m busy.

Kandahar, despite all the political shit, is a great place. Well, it’s dirty and smells funny in the heat of summer but the people are some of the most interesting I’ve met in my travels. Like anywhere, they can drive me crazy when they want but when there’s work to be done, and everyone is on form, then time passes quickly. The men I work with don’t grumble at hard work but turn it into a social event. Practical jokes keep everyone on their toes and the mood is more upbeat than similar scenarios I’ve dealt with other places. Chilling out playing chess at night discussing whatever is topical to them. I guess it’s the people I work with that I’ll miss the most.

Okay, what a boring entry, it’s cold and dark and I’m hungry. Time to quit whining.