Winter is Coming!

Once out of central Kabul I have discovered there are cords of wood stashed in the poorest sections of the "suburbs". Needless to say, I've yet to see wood stacked like we do back home. Indeed, it's just piled high like you see in the picture. Turns out firewood is a most valued commodity here in Afghanistan.

Out in the suburbs, the Afghans both heat and cook with wood which to me makes sense given the total lack of utilities I've observed out there. As a result of the high demand for wood in a country with limited rainfall many of the natural forests have been stripped away over the last 30 years or so (constant war) resulting in significant erosion, desert conditions in areas once bountiful, and now a shortage of firewood to keep people fed and warm. I've been told this causes significant stress amongst the poor as the winter season draws on, causing thefts (people need to keep their children warm and fed) and consequently significant violence. Inside Kabul where I live, the electricity is pretty consistent which generates our heat source. Of course it goes out on occasion, but I have plenty of beddings to deal with it. Once again, I'm blessed even here in Afghanistan.

In response, the international community is working with the Afghan government to restore many of the historic forests but needless to say that will take years. As always, I remain hopeful but not confident this important environmental project will generate results even years out.

A few updates: The "clean" bathroom at the Ministry is available again!!!!! Unfortunately, I was evicted from my office at the international base and moved to a 2nd story "can" along the base perimeter... no bathrooms within easy walking distance. Many of our supply convoys coming through Pakistan are not getting through which is really cutting short many of our "nice to have things." No soymilk anymore. The military convenience store (PX) is rather bare too... tissues and NyQuil are hot commodities as is candy (my bowl at the ministry is getting thin). Fortunately, I have friends who've hooked me up with the tissues and NyQuil ... please do not send either... and my sister Karen sent some Halloween candy recently. Asa is now the #1 law student at her private university in Kabul... of 400 students.

That's all for now folks. Fortunately the internet is being kind to me so I will try to continue to send you stories.