First of all as the Post title says is Me. Never had facial hair for this long.
Next is a Picture of my team just after we got in country. Obviously early as all our beards are little more than a couple days worth of stubble.
Next are a couple pictures for Da of the Olive grove behind our barracks buildings.
A small tree that I could get into the frame from up close.
And Finally a Sunset.
The dust gets so bad that sometimes the sun will set into the dust in the air a couple hours before it reaches the actual horizon. About five minutes after I took this picture the sun was gone for the day.
Disregard the dark line just above the sun that is an error from the camera or something.
So not many pictures. None of us on my team are really taking many. We can't take pictures inside our office tent, and we stagger our shifts throughout the day so we really don't spend much time hanging out. And try as I might, even though I always have my camera with me. I have yet to get a picture of the Monitor Lizards that live around our work tent. These things are huge. The smallest one I've seen was about four feet long. But they don't bother us, and they compete for food with the local poisonous snakes so where there are lizards there are no snakes. So they help keep us safe that way as well.
I will try to find more stuff to take pictures of. I promise.
Hope you enjoyed these ones.
12 comments:
Thanks for putting up pictures honey. It's good to see where you are. I can't believe the dust! Makes our inversions look pretty good, I think.
Also, I thought olive trees would be big and majestic looking. Those look like scrub oak. I guess I've only ever pictured olive trees in the context of the scriptures, and they're so symbolic all the time I thought they would be bigger.
Holy younger-Edward-with-a-beard-picture, batman!!! Melinda, I think you married your father in law! lol
Dirk those pictures are awesome. Sorry the one of the sunset had a fold in the postcard to make the coloring off.
Da said you could pass for a native and with that beard, you probably could. Thanks for the pix and being willing to serve over there.
Those pictures bring home the reality of where you are at...the guns, the beard, the guns, the olive trees, the guns, the dust...and finally the story about the lizards - I am sooo glad you have those monsters around to keep the snakes away!! What kind of poisonous snakes are in Afghanistan (besides the Taliban and Al Quida?)
Hang in there Dirk - you are soooooo loved!
Alright dumb question: What's up with the beards? Every man I know whose gone over has a beard- is it a cultural thing? Respect thing? Camo thing? I must know!!
*Ü*
I just wonder about the beards too ... it's like 100+ degrees over there and you choose to add hair to your face?? I don't get it! I mean I can understand that it probably saves time when it comes to the shaving routine, but doesn't it make your face freakin' hot?! Either way - glad to see some neat pics Dirk. The girls were excited to see them - and you with the beard!
They don't want the soldiers to look like soldiers - thus no uniforms and the beards - I guess the M16's over your shoulders help you blend into the civilian population too, eh?
Good to see some more pictures. Guess the government doesn't spend a lot on Pledge, huh? Otherwise, the dust would be less of a problem.
It is a cultural thing. Having to do with those most likely to be conducting liaison with local leaders. Most soldiers over here don't get to wear beards.
The Afghan culture is big on beards. The ability to grow a beard is a symbol of manhood, and it's easier to establish quality working relationships if your wearing a beard. Read the KiteRunner for a bit more on this.
It really doesn't make it that much hotter. And makes it easier to do my job if I have a beard.
Oh and as to mom's comment about the M-16, well it would stick out a little, most of the locals have AK-47's. Ownership of such a weapon is guaranteed by their laws. It has from spending the last twenty years in a state of war, All thanks to the Soviet Union.
Dirk, I kind of like the beard look on you. Of course, my opinion means nothing - it's all about what Melinda likes.
Still, you're rockin' that beard.
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