Worn out after all the briefings & lugging round 24lbs of body armour all day. Been talked through all the contracts in Afghanistan: customers, positioning, headcount, requirements, outstanding issues, improvement opportunities etc. Then went off to the British Embassy to see the set up there, met the key managers and some of the staff plus visited some of their accommodation. Managed to see a bit more of the city and it has to be said it's pretty desolate in parts, just bombsites and mud, there are the odd few shops selling weird and wonderful combinations of products interspersed with the occasional carcasses of animals handing outside the 'butchers' but mostly it's handcarts laden with fruit parked up at the roadside. Cannot fathom how on earth anyone could make a living like that. The trip was a real eye-opener in terms of the driving too. Having driven in various cities in the UK, US and Europe I can honestly say you ain't seen nothing until you've been here. The roads are poor at best, but there are absolutely no road markings or pavements which means it's a complete free for all. In the space of what would normally be two UK lanes you'll find four streams of cars, buses, lorries, tractors plus horse & carts which gets decidedly interesting when it comes to roundabouts or the police checkpoints. No one uses indicators and mirrors are decidedly optional. You feel you're taking your life into your hands but it doesn't stop small children running into the road to try to beg from 'western' vehicles. I guess the sense of danger has been tempered by the situation they've lived through. So much to absorb & think about.
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