Blogs from Kosovo, Europe - page 9

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Europe » Kosovo » East December 24th 2009

It was only a few hours but it was full of song and reflective of the holiday spirit around this place. The Chaplains have done a great job in providing many Christmas Eve services for various denominations and by the looks of it many soldiers opted to take advantage of the evening activities. There will even be buses that will be available to go out into the nearby town and attend a Catholic midnight mass. That will be quite the experience for some. I attended a candlelight service that was full of song and a great message. The message was that of peace and forgiveness. Blessed are the peacekeepers that began this journey ten years ago to assist with multiple cultures to have peace in this small area of the world. Throughout the years the mission ... read more
Married and celebrating the holiday together
Bismarck friends spending some candlelight time together
Getting all dressed up for the evening caroling

Europe » Kosovo » East December 23rd 2009

I can’t believe soldiers actually get paid to do this…To fly helicopters! Oh my gosh, was today a rush or what! I traveled all day long in a whirly bird and it was nearly the best day ever. Today was not your average overcast December day in Kosovo where normally the rivers are a coffee-colored watery mud looking body of water and the gray skies blend in with the bland farm fields and rolling hills of Kosovo. Today, it was so bright that sunglasses were required! I knew I was in for a special treat when Davina asked me to come along for a day of adventure up in the northern part of Kosovo. We got up early and went down to the aviation operations center and waited patiently for them to ready the helicopter for ... read more
Mt. Duke by Camp Bondsteel
My Planning Buddies!
Towns far below

Europe » Kosovo » East December 23rd 2009

It’s the holidays and from near and far the Christmas spirit is being brought in to be shared with the troops here at Camp Bondsteel. Being away from the holidays is never easy but with the efforts of many there is a feeling that some people care so much. We have a civilian team whose entire job is to focus on MWR (moral, welfare and recreation) for the soldiers and civilians who are lucky enough to be stationed here. Just in the month of December they have planned: basketball and volleyball tournaments, bingo games, pinochle games, karaoke evenings, chess matches, texas hold em tables, just to name a few. But for the holidays they went above and beyond and scheduled some “Special events”. Last week we had the Navy Rock Band, there was a door ... read more
Hanging with friends during the holidays
Even the Greek soldiers loved the concer
Mother and Son enjoy together

Europe » Kosovo » East December 19th 2009

You won't believe it...Here we are at lovely Camp Bondsteel and at this very moment it is snowing like crazy and the wind is horrific. It's our very first mini blizzard and it's dang cold outside. Now, I'm not saying it's as cold as North Dakota, but for the first time Kosovo is cold to us. It started very innocently, a few flakes here and there, falling gently from the sky. There was a fun spunk in the air as those from Arizona, Alabama, the Virgin Islands and the many sunny southern states would bounce around pretty excited that it was snowing. Soldiers were still doing their jobs but with a caution that was warranted. But as the day continued on the weather began to take on a twist that was unexpected. Wind gusts created a ... read more
Mastering the art of chains!
Snow evrywhere

Europe » Kosovo » East December 12th 2009

One dog begins to bark, and then there are others who respond in kind, and it merely disrupts the quiet of the countryside. I wonder if they are friendly greetings or a warning to stay within my boundaries. I suppose time will tell on this chilly December morning as I walk across the grass in northern Kosovo. We are walking towards the river to observe a destroyed walking bridge, which limits the townspeople from taking the shortcut across the river and forces them to drive or walk the long way around. Mostly impacting the route to the cemetery, which is so very important to all the families in this tiny village. I suppose the barking could just be a simple greeting of the day or maybe they are happy to see the soldiers who hopeful represent ... read more
Old Iraq teammates who are now part of the LMT sensing team
Serbian family walking home
The dang roads are so narrow

Europe » Kosovo » East December 7th 2009

It’s not every day that I get to leave the sleepy hollow grounds of camp Bondsteel, so I was pretty excited to be attending the Logistics Conference in Pristina. We loaded the vehicle with our protective equipment and then me and my boss man were off early in the morning driving the traffic circles of Kosovo and navigating the oncoming traffic with a defensive eye and using our cat like reflexes to get out of the way of all the crazy drivers. We finally arrived at the Pristina NATO Headquarters referred to as Camp Film City. This peacekeepers headquarters is surrounded by concertina wire and wood frame buildings with red tile roofs adorn the interior of the camp, which is named for its former ambition to be Yugoslavia’s Hollywood. But the films made here were to ... read more
Row of flak jackets and helmets in the car ready for the ride
German shoppette
French store

Europe » Kosovo » East December 7th 2009

It was one of those days that you’re not sure how you got there but you were glad you did. Innocently, me and my traveling buddy were just driving down the highway when out of the blue I saw a mosque and had an instant urge to take a picture. So it was as easy as one: slam on the brakes, two: turn off the road with a milliseconds notice and three: drive down the bumpy dirt road about 200 meters. Here in Kosovo there are hundreds of the religious houses of worship, in small villages, in cities and even in the middle of about nothing. I just wanted a picture, a little look up close; I wanted to see if it was intact or had been damaged from the conflict that occurred over ten years ... read more
The girls just hanging out in the school yard
What a story his face could tell
How high can you jump?

Europe » Kosovo December 5th 2009

Hello from Kosovo! I know, I know, it's been too long and way overdue...can't explain that one besides yes, we've been busy since getting here and unsettled, but we're settling in now. We spent the first few weeks doing our Relief In Place (RIP) with KFOR11 Soldiers. That involved following our counterparts around, learning the Camp Bondsteel policies, and getting familiar with procedures related to our job positions. Then comes digging through your own office and desk to try and organize things so you can do your job. Still not there, but getting closer. Then there are briefings (I think we may have a Guiness Book Record for meetings!), then meetings on when we should have meetings, and moving to permanent housing! Phew, we are tired out. I think we finally found our way around to ... read more
House
House 2
Municipality

Europe » Kosovo » East December 3rd 2009

You will totally not believe what I got to do today! I went to work with the EOD! Yep, the Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit. It was absolutely fantastic and I even brought Davina along to enjoy the morning. I think overall it was really good for her. You see, once a week the EOD set off a series of blasts that dispose of various out dated ordinance, MRE heaters and things that just need to be blown up. Before each series of explosions the “Giant Voice” gives everybody fair warning that the noises are soon to follow. What usually happens is that everyone hears the warnings and still jump or try to take cover when the actual explosion occurs. It’s amazing the effects of war that continue to linger on in many soldiers lives. So when ... read more
Germans and Americans training together
My partner trying to help me create the perfect explosion!
My new friend from Germany

Europe » Kosovo » East November 26th 2009

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! It’s about 4:22 p.m., the sun is now setting and here I sit in Kosovo in my room watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I have found that holidays abroad can be so conflictingly bittersweet. I woke up this morning, stepped out onto my porch as the sun was just beginning to come over the horizon and even though it was vibrant with colors, it didn’t feel like a holiday. I went to work and as I walked in everybody greeted me with a loud and cheery “Happy Thanksgiving”, and we were outwardly jovial, but as I sat down at my desk, it still didn’t feel like Thanksgiving. By 9:00 in the morning I was sitting in a room with the Brigade leadership of KFOR 12 and as the General walked in ... read more
The soldier and the life sized decoration
Dining facility all decorated
Safety Officer with local food service worker




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