Life In The Fast Lane

Your eyes do not decieve you. That IS a roadsign directing cars, donkeys and camels to observe designated lanes. And while 5 months ago I would have chosen the donkey/camel lane, this week I would LOVE to be cruising down the highway in a car right about now (and a car with air conditioning would be just this side of heaven).

This has actually been my most challenging week in Afghanistan. Given that I live in a wooden tent-building with 9 other chics, that I "hold it" until the porta-potties get cleaned, that we've had 4 bunker drills in three weeks and that I am completely out of matching socks, you gotta wonder: what could possibly tip the scales enough to make this THE MOST challenging week?

It's not really one thing - it's a combination of 5 things each of which, I think you will agree, build upon the other:

1. The flies. It's hot. It's porta-pottie country. Enough said?

2. The heat. It was 108 degrees F at 04:10 this morning...in the shade.

3. Shrinkage. Stay with me here - this is about me, not you: I'm talking laundry shrinkage. The only thing hotter than our weather is the temperature of the water in which all clothes are washed. ALL clothes regardless of color, race or creed. I'm walking around in tight clothes on a military base when it's 108 degrees. You begin to feel my pain.

4. The camels and the donkeys. See "1. The flies" and let your imagination soar.

5. The smell. The Afghan people possess many amazing and extraordinary abilities, but bathing is not one of them (it's a cultural thing and, quite frankly, a lack of water in which to bathe. I do not say this to be mean - I am only sharing with you the rich and multi-sensory experience of my Afghanistan summer). They often travel in groups of 20 and are accompanied by donkeys, camels and flies. The smell, my friends, the smell. Of course, since it's 108 degrees and i'm hiking around base in my shrunken clothes, I can only surmise that they feel the same way about me :-).

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