I have to excuse myself and apologize for the gap in between my last post. Being a newbee to the whole deployment world, you have to try and take in as much as you can when you first arrive. Plus it doesn't help when you don't have interent working all the time. haha!!

It's begining of Sept and I've been in country for about a month, its a different feel every day, not bad just different feel. I'm in the Province of Nangahar, The views here are amazing, not the most cleaniest country thats for sure but the views here are just amazing! I never would have thought I would say this but the people here are very humble people, well for the most part. The ones who work here on our FOB and the ANA (Afghan National Army) They are just like us, trying to make a dollar to feed their families and provide for their future. At first I didn't know how to approach them, I hear the stories from other soldiers who didn't have great expirences with the locals and it made me a little worried on how to engage them. After a good month of going outside the wire and seeing how they live and go about their day you learn that they really struggle to get by. I've spent my time talking with them, living with them, even enjoying a dinner with them. You learn that they are not so different on how they want to go to a better school, how they want a better job, they want a wife and family, they sound just like your average American. I have made some friends along the first month and feel I will grow in my knowledge of their culture. I have been learning how to speak Pashtu & hope to know how to speak it well enough to have a conversation. As for the weather right now its pretty hot! its still summer but they expect it to cool down here pretty soon. 

Things to bring with you if its your first time is some cash(small change), small snacks, small packets of energy drink mix, power cords, 550 cord, and a pillow, not the small army pillow a real standerd size pillow.  well, till next time.