What can I tell you about Afghanistan?

Be forewarned: I know "none" of Afghanistan.

Bagram Air Field is surrounded by mountains. I wake up to mountains and fall asleep to mountains. Layer after layer of mountains in every direction and on all sides. I cannot see beyond the mountains. The southern edge of the Himalayas looms out there beyond the Afghani mountains just in case I hoped to sneak a peek through any of the Afghani peaks.

Between me and the mountains are mine fields. Yep. In a circle in every direction surrounding the base - courtesy of the Russians who mined everything before "leaving". A souvenir, of sorts, to keep the Afganis from celebrating too exuberantly the Russian retreat. And, if the mines weren't enough of a deterrent, in the mountains are Taliban. Yep. In every direction. In a future e-mail you will hear more about the "fallen comrades" convoy that rolls through the base about once a week - proof positive that the Taliban in those mountains are as real as the landmines in those fields.

Needless to say, I will not be traversing any mine fields or venturing to any mountain tops to see what I can see (as promised, mom). So, I can tell you nothing about "The Afghanistan" because I will neither see nor experience many of the treasures the pictures I've seen indicate this land has to offer. I will have to tell you, instead, about "My Afghanistan Experience" or "Life on an American military base located in Afghanistan". And that will have to be enough. My sister will not be surprised that I have, somehow, managed to travel half-way around the world and still have nothing to talk about except myself. On the bright side, the base is filled with Afghani citizens who work hundreds of jobs and I promise to share with you any things about Afghanistan and life that they are inclined to share with me. So, pop in once in a while to stay up to date on my Afghanistan "hearsay" testimony (that's for my lawyer friends). Oh yes, be also forewarned that I will pepper the blog with shameless requests (requests, demands. potato, potahto) for care packages and that I am not above using guilt and the text-version of puppy dog eyes to hypnotize you into doing my will where care packages are concerned. This may end up being an expensive blog for you to read.