Food, Fun and Games

The new fiscal year celebration on Friday, 01 October, was a day enjoyed by all.  Many thanks to Ron (shown center above) who was the primary organizer, as well as grillmeisters Charles and Dan.

We were allowed to flex our time or even take leave if so desired, so many people slept in while others worked out or otherwise kept an alternate schedule for the morning.  I really didn’t sleep in as I talk to my son most mornings fairly early, but did putter around the room a bit and gather laundry for tackling later in the day.  It was awesome being able to wear real clothes and tennies, with actual color and comfort to them!  I walked the nearly three miles into work enjoying the bright sunny morning – it’s down in the lower 40’s at night now, but the temperature rises quickly once the sun peaks over the mountains.

Food was scheduled for noonish so I headed over to the Black Jack MWR area (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) at about 11:00 to help out.  Two huge grills filled with charcoal and wood were starting to throw some major heat and good smells.  I covered the long picnic tables with a couple of tarp “tablecloths” and set out the cardboard plates, plastic utensil packets and napkins, moved food around as it showed up, set out serving spoons and the like.  And talk about food…  Wow.  MAJ Lewis allowed a blessing to be given before digging in, which was refreshing and a great start for the meal.

Various and plentiful steaks, ribs, burgers and dogs.  A variation of chicken adobo – man, that was yums.  A Filipino dish consisting of a huge pan of barbequed chicken pieces, simmering on the grill in a flavorful roux of unknown and possibly secret spices – fabulous.  Awesome turkish pizza – the crust is similar to the tasty Afghan “nan” flat bread, then topped with either a mild cheese or spicy meats.  That didn’t last long.  Roasted eggplant and turkish peppers.  The Turks call them simply “green peppers” but these should never be confused with the rather innocuous american versions.  One guy did say that they were sweet and not hot at all, but others (many, many others) said they would fry your nose hair and should require warning labels.  Baked beans, pasta salad, corn on the cob, deviled eggs, cookies and cakes.  Lots of hungry people were treated to lots of great food – we even invited people who were just walking through, and some soldiers working on remodeling an office near by.  All feasted royally.

And then of course, volleyball.  Not sure how many games of Bagram Ball were played, but they went on for several fun-filled hours in the upper 90’s mid-day sun with three teams of six rotating in and out.  The above pic shows Charles, aka Hollywood, preparing to serve while teammate Tony looks on. 

After everyone finally petered out in the heat and was thoroughly exhausted, people drifted off to other things.  I joined three others for a couple of fun hands of cribbage.  My partner and I did quite well, winning both rounds handily although I had to be re-introduced to the game at the beginning, it having been decades since I had last played.  Later on while my laundry was washing (then drying), I observed but did not participate in the Texas Hold-em Poker tournament back at the office.  It was a full house there as well (pun intended), with the big conference table crowded about by nearly a dozen poker-faced guys.  MAJ Lewis headed things up for this chips-only high-stakes game, and I was thoroughly confused most of the time – not so much by what constitutes a winning hand but the fast, furious and mysterious world of checks, bets and all-ins.  Lots of fun, laughter and good-natured ribbing, and there’s no telling how late into the night the game lasted.

Now folks are trying to organize weekly cribbage and poker events, so the fun and morale-building will continue even once the grilled steaks, chicken adobo and turkish pizza have been committed to pleasant memories.

Independence Day in Afghanistan

Sorta felt like home, without the fireworks.  The smell of meat cooking on charcoal grills was absolutely heavenly – that was the best part for me.  And did we feast?  Oh yeah.  I have no idea how all the massive amounts of food were obtained (and probably don’t want to know), but we have a lady here who retired last year from the Army as a Supply Sergeant.  Her powers of acquisition are truly amazing – she is just plain good.

Ribs, salmon, steaks of all cuts and sizes, hamburgers, baked potatoes, corn on the cob and even shrimp (kabobs) on the barbie.  It all tastes so much better when grilled, but there was too much to try it all.  Varieties of chips with dips and salsa.  Some huge seeded purple grapes, big soft chocolate chip cookies (there were other kinds but I know not what) and some dear soul made a couple of cheesecakes.  All the (near) beer, soft drinks and Gatorade you could drink, iced down in tubs of actual ice (rare commodity).  Much fellowship and laughter.

Like most of the United States the weather was a real sun-filled scorcher, but our balmy breezes kept most of the flies and other flying critters away.  A dappled shade was provided by the large “camel cover” netting which the guys set up for us.  A few hardy souls attempted volleyball, but I had to pass as the heat had about gotten to me at Friday’s marathon session.

It was awfully nice having an actual day off – and the actual day of July 4th – Sunday.

I walked down to the small bazaar at Camp Montrond, and it was nice being able to browse leisurely through all the nooks and crannies and hidden corners.  I bought several scarves/shawls for family gifts – soft and beautiful for less than $5 a piece.  I also bought two matching shawls to use as “curtains” in my office.  (The office move went well but now I get the blinding morning sun through my window – glare I could work around, but the solar heat is just too much at times.)  Obtained a couple of “haji” movies – Robin Hood and Sherlock Holmes for $3 each.  And bought another birthday present for my son (can’t say what it is!) 🙂

Later on I went to church where we celebrated the Lord’s Supper, then afterwards had an outdoor baptizing, military style.  The only fireworks we saw were the camera flashes going off during the baptism.

A very welcome and blessed holiday, all around – thanks to all of our military, past and present, for making it possible.