02/23/2004: "Kandahar Chronicles #73 - 19/02/2004"

A frantic week of handover to the new logistician has left me with a sore throat, a headache and a feeling that everything will be just fine. Misha is an organized guy that already seems to be able to face the challenges ahead of him. At first I had a strong,protective feeling over the logistics staff. "Make sure Sharif leaves by four to get to his classes. Amadullah can't do any heavy lifting for a week until his arm is better. Hyatullah needs the money to pay for his English course...and Wadud likes two sugars in his chai." Okay, maybe not the two sugars one but I've realized how well I know these men and their ways and how close I've become to many of them. For Misha, I've run him through the main points of the job and told him to trust in his staff. They know the work and the place can operate without us. Nine months is a long time and it is impossible to micro-manage for that long without becoming exhausted. It's almost time to let go and it is difficult. Shit,I forgot to tell him about Hamid's dentist appointment, and Ghulam Nabi needs a chain for his bike...