September 8th, 2011
Site Visit - Char Bulak and Hazrate Sultan
Saturday I have a meeting with the Corp to discuss the status of my other two projects, so today I'm off to visit those two sites.
Went to Char Bulock first... It is a site that the Corp will not visit due to it's location, it is in an area know to be an active area with Taliban .. As you drive to the job site on the dirt road you can see them sitting under a tree or next to a stream. On the drive back a Toyota SUV drove up behind us very fast, the guard in the back seat sitting next to me, who travels holding the gun, quietly moved his AK 47 to a different position, took off the safety and put his finger on the trigger, the truck passed us, then stopped up ahead, you could tell he was alert and somewhat nervous.. The men got out all were carrying AK 47s .. They greeted some other men at the side of the road and started chatting, we drove pass.... with out incident..the guard once we were pass made a motion with his hand similar to crossing yourself in a prayer .. he actually did it twice... I asked my interpreter when I got back to my site and he said it was a Muslim prayer of thanks....
On my way one Hazer sultan ... This site is up in the mountains.. Very nice area.. Safe... It about an hour and a half drive...
Hazer Sultan is a small job, in an out of a way place, with some unique features and challenges... We are behind schedule but are making up time...
On the way in I saw some little children playing at a well, laughing playing in the water... On the way out I asked the driver to stop to give the children some gum I had... We stopped they were so shy and sweet, we had to coax them to come over tho the car and take the gum... Once they saw the piece of gum they smiled so big.. They were so happy with that one simple piece of gum... As we drove off I found myself tearing up... Why? I miss being around children. It was so fun sharing and bring them a little gift ... Oh those sweet pure smiles... So innocent ... I did take some pictures... the pictures just can't show the laughter and the feelings that were there...
While driving back I asked the driver to stop at a roadside fruit stand, where I bought all of us a melon which we ate there.. See picture.. Fresh melon .. So tasty.. it was a lot of fun stopping and treating the driver and guards to some fresh fruit....
Today was a good day....
