I should first thank friends who inspired me to start a blog...Anna, Amy, and Kacee. Mine won't be nearly as entertaining as their blogs, but it will give an avenue to share/vent on my new life.
When considering whether to start a blog, I wondered who would actually read it (and I still wonder...) I honestly don't know who would want to read this everyday, except my marmie, but at least it will be here for her to read. :)
This all came about due to my birthday and my friend Veronica's prodding of me to create a list of "to do's" for my next year of life and the blog made it on the list. So, here goes with my initial blog...
Today will be a bit of reflection. It is hard to believe my first visit to the sandbox was in January 2007. I had never visited this region before and had many fears/expectations at how things would be when I arrived. I never in my wildest imagination thought I might end up living here one day.
In honor of international events, I will reflect on another sandbox in the region--Kabul, Afghanistan--which I first visited in May 2007. I will never forget the first time I landed in Kabul--it was dark due to a delayed flight from Dubai. I exited the plane and there were no lights on the tarmac to highlight faces or the area around the airport; an uneasy feeling overtook me as I realized I was by myself and didn't know anyone at the airport. Thankfully a man had a sign with a photo of an American Flag on it and I asked "US Embassy" to which he replied yes. Now, I must interject that yes--it is a risk to follow a man who printed a photo of the American Flag but this is my life as I go places and have to trust the people with my name/agencies printed on one piece of paper. That day the risk hit me a little harder than normal since he took me and led me further into the dark, through a small trailer that x-rayed my carry-on luggage, and back into the dark to a dirt lot that had car/truck lights shining toward me. I said a quick prayer for God to protect me in this unknown area--I was either going to get shot by someone behind these lights or I would get taken to a vehicle. Thankfully it was the latter and the men took good care to help me with my flack jacket and sped me to the Embassy compound where I would be protected for the next 9 days.
This reflection is due to the national elections that will take place in Afghanistan tomorrow. I am so proud to be able to see this democratic process take place--especially since the Afghan women will be able to vote. I pray for the safety of the brave citizens who vote, despite the risks the Taliban have so widely advertised. As I have shared with my colleagues from Afghanistan--I hope to return someday and have the opportunity to eat in a restaurant with my colleagues and to walk on the streets of Kabul. Happy Election Day Afghanistan!
In addition to the happiness for the Afghan elections, I had a nice surprise at work as we celebrated my birthday at work today with some yummy chocolate chip "pieces of Heaven" provided by one of our epis. They sang "Happy Birthday" in both English and Egyptian. I have to say the Egyptian song was a little more fun--I hope to learn that song in the very near future. Another cute story that shows the hospitality of the Egyptians--I have a driver who is my favorite--those that know me know I have a special place in my heart for older men who I think are "cute"... As you could imagine my fave driver is a cute little Egyptian man who is old enough to be my father and is definitely the fatherly type. He has been the person to pick me up and take me to the airport the last few trips to/from Cairo. Now that he knows me well he greets me with the traditional Egyptian kiss on the cheek. Today I saw him a work--a rare treat for me--as I was heading to the library on the compound. He was carrying a glass of tea as he went to go smoke (yes, a bad habit which many Egyptians have unfortunately). He offered me the small glass of tea of which I refused but he kept trying to give it to me and eventually I took it as I walked into the library. It was the best tea I have had in a long time! Just a short story to show the caring and giving nature of the people here in my new sandbox. Small things make a big difference--may I always try to make someone's life a little easier each day...
When considering whether to start a blog, I wondered who would actually read it (and I still wonder...) I honestly don't know who would want to read this everyday, except my marmie, but at least it will be here for her to read. :)
This all came about due to my birthday and my friend Veronica's prodding of me to create a list of "to do's" for my next year of life and the blog made it on the list. So, here goes with my initial blog...
Today will be a bit of reflection. It is hard to believe my first visit to the sandbox was in January 2007. I had never visited this region before and had many fears/expectations at how things would be when I arrived. I never in my wildest imagination thought I might end up living here one day.
In honor of international events, I will reflect on another sandbox in the region--Kabul, Afghanistan--which I first visited in May 2007. I will never forget the first time I landed in Kabul--it was dark due to a delayed flight from Dubai. I exited the plane and there were no lights on the tarmac to highlight faces or the area around the airport; an uneasy feeling overtook me as I realized I was by myself and didn't know anyone at the airport. Thankfully a man had a sign with a photo of an American Flag on it and I asked "US Embassy" to which he replied yes. Now, I must interject that yes--it is a risk to follow a man who printed a photo of the American Flag but this is my life as I go places and have to trust the people with my name/agencies printed on one piece of paper. That day the risk hit me a little harder than normal since he took me and led me further into the dark, through a small trailer that x-rayed my carry-on luggage, and back into the dark to a dirt lot that had car/truck lights shining toward me. I said a quick prayer for God to protect me in this unknown area--I was either going to get shot by someone behind these lights or I would get taken to a vehicle. Thankfully it was the latter and the men took good care to help me with my flack jacket and sped me to the Embassy compound where I would be protected for the next 9 days.
This reflection is due to the national elections that will take place in Afghanistan tomorrow. I am so proud to be able to see this democratic process take place--especially since the Afghan women will be able to vote. I pray for the safety of the brave citizens who vote, despite the risks the Taliban have so widely advertised. As I have shared with my colleagues from Afghanistan--I hope to return someday and have the opportunity to eat in a restaurant with my colleagues and to walk on the streets of Kabul. Happy Election Day Afghanistan!
In addition to the happiness for the Afghan elections, I had a nice surprise at work as we celebrated my birthday at work today with some yummy chocolate chip "pieces of Heaven" provided by one of our epis. They sang "Happy Birthday" in both English and Egyptian. I have to say the Egyptian song was a little more fun--I hope to learn that song in the very near future. Another cute story that shows the hospitality of the Egyptians--I have a driver who is my favorite--those that know me know I have a special place in my heart for older men who I think are "cute"... As you could imagine my fave driver is a cute little Egyptian man who is old enough to be my father and is definitely the fatherly type. He has been the person to pick me up and take me to the airport the last few trips to/from Cairo. Now that he knows me well he greets me with the traditional Egyptian kiss on the cheek. Today I saw him a work--a rare treat for me--as I was heading to the library on the compound. He was carrying a glass of tea as he went to go smoke (yes, a bad habit which many Egyptians have unfortunately). He offered me the small glass of tea of which I refused but he kept trying to give it to me and eventually I took it as I walked into the library. It was the best tea I have had in a long time! Just a short story to show the caring and giving nature of the people here in my new sandbox. Small things make a big difference--may I always try to make someone's life a little easier each day...
