The City

Yesterday (Sunday, I believe... I lose track of the days), we went into Qalat City to check on some projects that the engineers oversee. We had three stops for the day: Bibi Khala Girls' School (I posted photos of it earlier in the blog), Zabul Provincial Hospital and a bridge that leads into town.

The Afghan National Police came along with us to help pull security on the way. The ANP is a very odd group of people. They drive around in their Ford Rangers with machine guns mounted on the rear and honk their horns and flash their lights all the time. Today they were on the ground with us though (although, their buddies drove by a couple times regardless).

It was a hot day. I think it ended up being around 112F, which is a little too warm to be going out in the middle of the day in my opinion. But there we were, 25 or so of us marching down the streets of Qalat City trying to get from point A to B.

We reached Bibi Khala and the guys set up security, along with a couple of ANPs here and there to yell at traffic.

QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- An Afghan National Police officer diverts traffic during a combined dismounted patrol with Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul in Qalat City, Zabul Province, July 18, 2010. PRT Zabul supports and facilitates the legitimacy of the Afghan national and local governments through regional reconstruction, security and stability of the province. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- U.S. Army Sgt. Phillip Toward, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul gunner, secures a side street during a combined dismounted patrol with the Afghan National Police in Qalat City, Zabul Province, July 18, 2010. PRT Zabul supports and facilitates the legitimacy of the Afghan national and local governments through regional reconstruction, security and stability of the province. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- An Afghan National Police officer talks to a group of people during a combined dismounted patrol with Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul in Qalat City, Zabul Province, July 18, 2010. PRT Zabul supports and facilitates the legitimacy of the Afghan national and local governments through regional reconstruction, security and stability of the province. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- U.S. Army Spcs. Neal Perry and Jule Renner, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul security forces members, watch as an Afghan National Police vehicle passes them during a combined dismounted patrol with the ANP in Qalat City, Zabul Province, July 18, 2010. PRT Zabul supports and facilitates the legitimacy of the Afghan national and local governments through regional reconstruction, security and stability of the province. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

We had waited there for about an hour while the engineers looked at the school. The security forces were getting pretty impatient. The main road the the school sits on has no speed limit (like pretty much all of Afghanistan). This makes for some tense situations, since you don't know if that van in the distance is going to stop in time, or if they plan on using it as a weapon. Last time we came to the school, a little girl got ran over by a car while we were standing there. People here are so reckless here.

The engineers finally came out of the school and we made our way to the hospital.

QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- U.S. Army Spc. Carl Hoppe, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul rifleman, walks along a road during a combined dismounted patrol with the Afghan National Police in Qalat City, Zabul Province, July 18, 2010. PRT Zabul supports and facilitates the legitimacy of the Afghan national and local governments through regional reconstruction, security and stability of the province. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)


The hospital was packed with people. I really didn't want to be there. We passed the gate to the FOB on the way and I really wanted to go in. Thanks to my great willpower (and the ridicule I would rather not take from the Army), I pressed on. It was lunch time. All I could really think about was what they were having in the dining facility. Probably something fried... It is always something fried.

There was a little entertainment in the hospital compound though. The guys found this huge pot plant in the corner, so they each took turns getting photos with it for fun. It helped everyone take their mind off of how much misery we were in with all our gear and the sun beating down on us.

QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- A young Afghan boy waits to be seen by medical personnel at the Zabul Provincial Hospital in Qalat City, Zabul Province, July 18, 2010. Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul supports and facilitates the legitimacy of the Afghan national and local governments through regional reconstruction, security and stability of the province. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

After another lengthy stop, we headed to the bridge.

QALAT CITY, Afghanistan -- U.S. Army Spc. Trevor Soltis, Provincial Reconstruction Team Zabul rifleman, provides security while engineers review a bridge project in Qalat City, Zabul Province, July 18, 2010. PRT Zabul currently facilitates 28 projects that improve the quality of life for residents in the province. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Nathanael Callon/Released)

I don't think I uploaded any other photos from the bridge. It's okay though. The bridge is actually pretty cool. They hired a bunch of Afghan men to work on it, which pays better than what the Taliban would pay them for a day's wage. This program is called FIRUP, which seems like a great program to me. Anyways, Another lengthy stop here, then finally we made the trek home....

Oh, and it was Mexican food day at the dining facility. I know you were all wondering!