The Flight to Kyrgyzstan

Although i was embarrassed and felt like an ugly american tourist, i took a few pictures to document my flight out of Afghanistan. I had been awake for over 24 hours by the time this picture was taken - but the blurriness is not because of my tired visage - it is because my "child proof" camera did not live up to its advertised ease of use. Apparently the soldier who took the picture focused the camera on the chair instead of of me.



After we passed out of Afghanistan we were able to get up and walk around the aircraft - i took this picture of the mountains i have grown to love. The Hindu Kush mountains give Central Asia its beauty and severe nature.




As we depart they dim the lights and put the plane in combat mode - so that no bright lights can be seen to give away the airplane location at night. Of course i was flying in daytime, so i suspect the pilot was just doing this to be more "military."



About an hour and a half later i landed in Kyrgyzstan. I have been here for over 24 hours but i am actually enjoying the break. Last time i was here 24 hours seemed like 3 days because i was really excited to get to Afghanistan. Now i will be here for 4 days - and i think i will actually enjoy it - i have been able to exercise for about 2 hours - i did some laundry and slept for hours and hours. The food is good and it is a nice way to transition from working 10-18 hour days 6 or more days a week. I am going to try to work my body to a US time zone so i don't have bad jet lag when i get home.

I look forward to seeing you all when i get home and i am grateful for all of your support and prayers while i was gone.