Anyone out there know what this is?
Last night while at the Cigar Shack pavilion this bug caught my eye. It’s actually about the size of a half dollar. I managed to snap a picture of it before it escaped. I’m not an entomologist, so I don’t know what type of beetle it might be. Perhaps one of my educated readers can enlighten me.
Today I spent a few hours talking with ANA MSG Abdullah about the logistics pipeline. He explained the antiquated logistic system to me. He had a serious concern about the quality of the items they receive. The combat boots are of such inferior quality, they fall apart in a month after being worn. He provided me a sample and it appeared the sole was glued on with cheap glue. Then he displayed the toiletry items issued to the soldier. Most of them were made in China and the quality was almost laughable. He had a grave concern because this is hurting the morale and welfare of the troops in the field. Since the soldiers are paid so little, they can’t afford to buy their own supplies. As a result, their hygiene suffers and they resort to wearing sandals instead of boots and they have a peculiar odor. This quality problem is not just isolated to my ANA Kandak but is prevalent throughout the ANA. I enjoy resolving problems, but this one is going to take some time and some diplomatic resolution. On the surface it appears the original contract has been subcontracted various times. I don’t want to speculate until I can research and gather more facts.
For lunch today, we joined our interpreters at their dining facility. Apparently they serve lamb kabobs on Sunday. This would explain the large crowd and why we had to wait outside for an open table. Most of my teammates joined us today for this meal. I have to admit, it wasn’t too bad. In fact, this was the best Afghan meal I have eaten since arriving here. The rice was properly cooked along with the red beans. We were also treated to yogurt that wasn’t homogenized. Personally this tasted terrible and after one bite, I couldn’t eat anymore. The mangoes imported from Pakistan were OK, but they weren’t terribly sweet and I could only wonder if they used “night soil” for fertilizer.
The afternoon was spent doing maintenance on our HMMVWs. Not only are we soldiers, but we are also mechanics, radio operators, weapon maintainers…..ie….Jack of all trades.
Filed under: Food and living conditions, Uncategorized | Tagged: Afghanistan, Deployment, photography, U.S. Air Force, war
Heh… night soil… unhomogenized yoghurt… you have a stronger gut than I can even imagine. I’d sooner eat the bug.
Rex,
Thank you for sharing the details and helping us understand a culture that is literally and figuratively a half-a-world away from the USA. Your efforts, insights and photos are greatly appreciated!
Joey
Hi Rex!
Strong stomach by now, for sure. But I still don’t know about eating that beetle
Even though I’m no expert, that looks unmistakeably like a dung beetle. You know, those lively fellows that make small balls of dung, and rolls them around with their hind legs.
Hi Rex: We are sorry for your fallen comrades and pray for their families. We all can do that.
Your meal yesterday sounded interesting. Are you copying down any of their recipes?lol Maybe we ought to send over some of our little green onions from our garden. That’s about all that is edible at the present time. John and his friend Eddie were up last week for a few rainy days, they only were able to fish one day. (caught 7 trout) Kyle’s baccalaurate and commencement services were last Thurs and Fri. They were both very nice services. Kyle received two academic awards, one for industrial arts, other for participation in Future Business Leaders of America.
He also received one atheletic award for Football lineman.
Well, take care and know we strongly support you over there.
Love, Dad & Mom
Hi Rex: We are sorry for your fallen comrades and pray for their families. We all can do that.
Your meal yesterday sounded interesting. Are you copying down any of their recipes? lol Maybe we ought to send over some of our little green onions from our garden. That’s about all that is edible at the present time. John and his friend Eddie were up last week for a few rainy days, they only were able to fish one day. (caught 7 trout) Kyle’s baccalaureate and commencement services were last Thurs and Fri. They were both very nice services. Kyle received two academic awards, one for industrial arts, other for participation in Future Business Leaders of America.
He also received one athletic award for Football lineman. Also received two small scholarships.
Well, take care and know we strongly support you over there.
Love, Dad and Mom
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 06/09/2009 News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
I found your blog from a comment left on Richard Connaroe’s blog at the Roanoke Times web site. You have many interesting stories and I enjoy your photos!
As someone already mentioned, it looks like a Dung Beetle in your photo, which goes great with your final comment on “night soil”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dung_beetle
Best to you and your team, and be safe!