I must say, this new position is shaping into a really fascinating experience. Not only am I with an international group of people, but they've all done this crisis stabilization work for years and all over the world. Today I gave a brief presentation to a group of local nationals who were being trained on grassroots community development within their communities. I explained what I was doing, some of the objectives, that I was not there to plop down an westernized version of a "park" and needed their feedback and input in order to make these a success and something that could be fully utilized by their communities and families. My part was brief, but I stayed to listed to a portion of the training and the commentary they had on their own government, the insurgency and outside participants left me speechless. This is one of the coolest projects I have ever had the good fortune to become involved with and I hope to be able to continue beyond my short project scope. The rest of the day I went through medical training and also how to react and be directed by the private security team should a foot patrol or vehicle convoy come under attack. I'm not a small woman, but I was literally airborn while doing the convoy training - they just grab your flack jacket and throw you or drag you where you need to be. I managed to stay on my feet but others were not so fortunate. Lesson of the day - shut up, listen, stay out of the way and on your feet. These guys from private security are amazing.
Yesterday I traveled off of base on my first extensive vehicle convoy and then foot patrol. We went from base, through Kandahar City and finally ended up at the park I will be redeveloping per the Mayor's wishes. There is a whole entire, busy and bustling world outside of these military compounds. Initially, I was a bit clenched as there is so much traffic and piles of crap along the road that you were just waiting for something to blow. Apparently these vehicles can takes direct RPG hits and IED explosions so the major issues is getting to a new vehicle if yours is disabled and the hell out of there. The foot patrol through the park was amazing - the area is beautiful and has great potential. I cannot wait to finally meet the Mayor so that I can get started. Where ever I went, the person assigned to guard me went - that took some getting used to and the fact that you really can't stand still too long. They spotted several people along the ridge lines and out past the park so occasionally you would have to hunker behind cover. Honestly, after a little while in the convoy and then later on the foot patrol, the tension eased and I was able to focus on what I was doing. But I will never, ever let my guard down. It is still crazy over here and while we were out yesterday, a FOB in the region took an amazing assault of suicide bombers. About a half an hour ago, there was just a huge explosion at the entry gate closest to us - most likely a suicide bomber. Makes you wonder how those soldiers that just checked us through a couple of hours ago are doing - that is not a job that I would want to have if I were in the military. Also hard to believe that our vehicles can sustain IEDs, suicide explosions, etc. They said the key is to make sure you have your helmet on in the car and your seatbelt. Since I can barely remember to unbuckle mine, I think I will be OK in that regard. That is one experience I hope not to have.
Anyway, back to the work. I am headed into one of the bases in Kandahar City this week to meet with more local nationals. If the women are allowed to use the park, I also hope to possibly meet with some of their wives so that I can incorporate some of their issues into these designs and layouts as well. I am not here to save the world, and am too experienced to think that what I am doing will have any significant long term impact on the state of affairs - that is frustrating. But that being said, I can do this to the best of my ability and incorporate some needs and amenities that may improve quality of life - if even briefly. If they are actually able to use these spaces then that says something about a specific span of time where the locals felt safe and secure enough to gather outside of their community. Like I said, I am totally enthralled by this project.
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| Monument to fruit and a city gateway |
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| Mansion behind street market |
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| this is a cemetery - upturned rocks and flags (look hard in the back for the flags) |
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| entrance to park |
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| park pavilion - unfinished and bombed last year by the T |
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| crops in the park |
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| this was a pool. the Mayor wants it to function again .... there's a tree in it... |
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| headed out of park - guy with sheep to the left |
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| vineyards in the park |
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| Camels! Moo |
So I have posted some pics of the park, and my drive through Kandahar City - all through dirty windows and sometimes at a high rate of speed. Not the best photos, but gives you some idea of what the city is like and the one specific park - I will have 3 that I know of. All of the markets, people gathered around, traffic congestion (that made me the most nervous - being stopped in traffic) and just city activity was refreshing. I had a much different image of the city before I drove through it. More on this project as it unfolds!
Drink of the night - Instant Chai Tea - amazingly delicious!
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