Life so far

Hello to all.

I have been here for almost a month so far and I am finally getting used to the heat.  It has only been to about 45C here and will definitely get hotter as the summer moves along.  The flight over here took about 24 1/2 hours so needless to say I was tired when I arrived.  This is the third location I have been in since I have arrived and I am enjoying it a great deal.  I am working closely with a man I trained with and have  a great deal of respect for so that makes the job easier too.  We haev been working on a girls school lately and getting it done is a challenge, but it is beginning to come together now and should be complete soon.  It will be really nice when done and If possible I will post a picture of it.  Don’t look at it with western eyes though or you will be dissappointed.  The standaard over here is not what it is at home.  Not better or worse, just different.

It was a treat to watch them working on the school because it is like going back in time.  They are using the same methods that were use to build the pyramids I am sure.  It is as simple as a hammer, chisel and mortar.  They even use a Plumb Bob (basically a weight on a string) to check for level.  Simple technology to do the job well.  And don’t kid yourself, these guys are talented artisans in their field.  I watched about 50 poeple working on a water canal project with nothing but their bare hands and picks and shovels.  Heavy rocks area removed by hand and then the tools are employed to deepen and widen the canal for their water.  They are making bricks the same way they were made 2000 yrs ago.  Mud of the right consistency thrown into a form (by hand) and packed, then the formed bricks are turned out in the sun until they are dried.  Walls are made by shovelling or hand packing a layer of mud on the ground, waiting until it is dry and putting more mud over it (just like when you build a snow fort in the winter).  They do this until the wall is about 12 feet high.  All the homes have walls like this of one size or another.

Patrolling is patrolling and you just carry on and not think about what could happen while you are out.  There are some things you just have to be prepared for and then there are other things that are going to happen no matter how well prepared you are.

The sand here is like baby powder andgets absolutely everywhere (and I mean everywhere).  The heat can be oppressive and you sweat just sitting down so keeping clean is a challenge.  Keeping everything cleanis a challenge and endless hours can be spent, over the course of a week, just keeping your personal gear (weapons etc) clean.  Going to the gym (yes we have a gym of sorts) is a treat when the temperature is 40 degrees.  If at all possible, I will send Mr Coffin some pictures I have taken so you can better understand what I am talking about.  If you like history, this is the place to be because it is like going back in time.  

Gotta go for now as I hahve a lot to do through the run of a normal day.  Not much time to sit and chat though I enjoy the opportunity to do so when it arises.  Take care all.  Will continue to write when I can.

Work hard, have fun, take a risk and make a difference.

Mr D

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