Blogs from East, Afghanistan, Asia

Dimanche 3 novembre : Prends le taxi pour l’aéroport. Prends le vol MTL – Washington, le vol c’est bien passé. Aéroport de Washington, OK, achat de magasines et de hot-dog. Vol Washington – Dubaï, OK. Regardé 2 films de notre époque : Jobs, sur la vie de Steve Jobs, fondateur d’Apple, et The Internship, comédie sur 2 gars qui font un stage chez Google. Lundi 4 novembre : Arrivé à Dubaï. Direction hôtel, 300 $ pour une bonne douche et 6 heures de sommeil. Mon traditionnel WacDo de l’aéroport de Dubaï. Vol Dubaï – Kabul, OK. Mardi 5 novembre : Finalement de retour à Kabul. Le transport a oublié de venir me chercher. J’attends plus d’une heure sous une pluie battante. Il y aura un temps de merde pour les 3-4 prochains jours. Une fois arrivé ... read more

Mardi 10 septembre : Première vrai journée de travail depuis longtemps. On doit notamment prendre des numéros de séries de deux vieux camions russes qui seront donnes à la commission électorale ultérieurement. Rencontre de 10 :30 à 12 :30, avec mon principal interlocuteur local, le responsable de la commission électoral de la province de Paktya, dont Gardez est la capitale, énumération d’une série de problèmes et de grieffe que je devrais essayer de trouver réponses au cours de la prochaine année; shelter pour un générateur, réparer un générateur d’appui, employés non payes depuis quelques mois, manque d’espace de travail, insécurité, etc. Je commence déjà à écrire le rapport hebdomadaire. Souper, poisson et purée avec salade. Mercredi 11 septembre : Compte tenu de la date au calendrier, on se doit de demeurer très prudent. On assiste quand ... read more

Hello again! Sorry it's been a while, but wifi costs money in OZ, unlike in Asia... Here are a few of our favourite moments so far from Australia. - Cape Hillsborough. This place was famous for a huge beach that at dawn and dusk attracts all the wallabies and kangaroos who go to eat sandworms. We didn't see any on the beach but it was our first encounter with a kangaroo. Steph was down at the camp kitchen when she came running back up to the van, I bumped into her and she said there was a kangaroo. We went back down and there, surrounded by kids stroking it was a kangaroo, eating the grass, seemingly oblivious to all the attention. We could stroke it and pose for photos with it, it was an unforgettable first ... read more

Day 2 Woke ok, but nurse insisted I rest today and shoved ano drip in me Had real good day at Billiluna meeting people, ended up doing a few repair jobs , cooked dinner 4 my host and prepared bike and self 4 next day is an Ab. Community of about 100 and support staff Day 3 Took off at 5.30determined not 2 overdo self but tanami mine was my long aim where I was booked in Nice country used a lot of perseverance and rolled into tamimi at 8pm - 9.30 central time. Dark 4 last 2 hrs but gibbous moon ok wow-steak and salad and a good shower and bed Dingo ran along with me for 10pm -big mine Day 4 Fixing bike and showen around mine -bike and rack rattling 2 pieces - ... read more

(I'm not in Jalalabad - but I can't get the computer to bring up Vietnam!!!) Well OK folks, you'll be pleased to hear that the holiday is back on track after yesterday's unpleasantness. Today I had the whole day to myself and I played the lazy hours like they were a saxophone. (I can't claim credit for that line I'm afraid). Anyway decided good policy decision for the day was to cover up as much flesh as possible as sunburn still pretty angry (don't tell my Mum). So I indulged in a little light browsing round the shops of Nha Trang - virtually burka clad apart from a bright, red nose peeling great tracts of skin. And a very pleasant morning it was as I doffled gently around the shops. Late morning I discovered a fabulous ... read more