Election Day

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STATUS QUO?

Elections have come and gone, with little fanfare, a few sporadic attacks and small voter turnout. We have been working with our own Afghan National Army soldiers while waiting to turn everything over to the 82nd, scheduled to move in here the next couple of weeks. We are being shifted around as soldiers continue to move into this camp. Two days ago, we got attacked with a series of mortars and rockets throughout the night, and fortunately there were only minor casualties. We are trying to get our ANA group ready for the transitional turnover as the 82nd moves in here and all of us move out soon afterward. Herat isn't totally unlike some towns out east-it has its remote qualities, but shows signs of urbanization as Afghanistan tries to build on what little city infrastructures there are here.

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Photos

Herat
storefront in Herat

Transportation
Old traditions still dominate modernization here

Downtown
Herat

Mosque
Wherever I have gone in this country, the most glamourous architecture is always the mosques

Memorial
Commemorates the Mujahadeen victory over the old Soviet Union

Shepherd
A shepherd overlooking his flock

clashing
Here, me and my interpretor are escorting a group of ANA soldiers to their next class...and I think he must be going to a disco afterwards.

Another cultural difference
ANA, like regular afghan civilians, squat and never sit in formation

ANA Camp
Most of the work is done on the Afghan National Army side

ANA Camp
heading out the ANA Camp

Back at Camp Stone
resting in the gym

packing
moving around again

Comments

[deleted_49612]

I forgot it is election day in Afghanistan, until I saw your blog. Thanks for the report. :) I suppose the low turn out of voters might be because people are scared, or maybe they just feel discouraged because nothing seems to improve for most no matter which government they have.

[Monica Willis]

Thank you
I am the mother of a soldier that is on his way to Camp Stone right now. I know very little about the conditions there. In trying to control my fear of the unknown and I am looking up any current information about this camp. I wanted to begin by thanking you for serving in Afghanistan. Second, I wanted to thank you for your blog. Just seeing the pics of the area and your comments have helped me a little. God bless you and may he keep you safe.

[donna]

Herat
Thank you for serving our Country. I also have a son at Camp Stone and seein the pictures and post helps me see where he is at. Thank you for taking the time to post.