New Year's in Herat

Dani took trip to Herat over New Year's weekend. Dani had a great time with Gareth (one of Dani's friends who's also an ANP customer from CSTC-A, which is Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan) and the Herat Area Office team.


Dani and Gareth took a USAID flight from Kabul to Herat. The views of the snowcapped mountains and the desert plains (near Kandahar) were breathtaking. The darker orange coloring on the bottom photo was a dune-ish plateau that dropped off at the river you can see. It was very interesting!

The purpose of the trip was a ribbon cutting ceremony for an expansion project at the Regional HQ (RHQ) for the Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP). This is the typical set up and attendance for a ceremony of this type. Torrey (another USACE employee) and Dani were the only females in the room.

On the way to the RHQ, there were camels! Dani really wants to ride a camel but hasn't figured out where this is possible given the security precautions that are required when outside of any secured compound.

The Herat security team took Dani and Torrey (Gareth joined as well - but he didn't need the practice) to the range near the FOB (forward operating base). It was great firing M4's from the prone and standing position, and even attempting the two tap (where you don't aim but fire once, then correct to hit the target).

Dani shooting with Peet (pronounced Pee-et, he's from South Africa) "supervising."

Perhaps not the best shot, but not too shabby for the first time shooting an M4! (Or at least Dani thinks it's not too bad.)

Peet and Torrey shooting.

Gareth and Peet shooting.

Peet riding a motorbike near the shooting range. The view is gorgeous - we couldn't pass up on such a neat photo.

The bazaar in Herat is smaller than Kabul, but still entertaining. Dani was being goofy trying on a fur hat and even convinced Gareth to give it a try! He doesn't look nearly as thrilled about it.

Peet in traditional Afghan clothing. The security team was meeting up for lunch on our "down day" (day we get the afternoon off).

Just look at the view from the range. . . . Perhaps the Afghans should start up a adventure tourism industry for skiing, mountain biking, hiking, etc.

The moon in the evenings was just amazing! And the air is so clear in comparison to Kabul where you're lucky to see the moon and stars at night. All three nights in Herat were this beautiful.

Waiting on the tarmac at the Herat Regional Airport can be a noisy activity. When a flight arrives ear plugs would be highly recommended, but as you can see most of us didn't have any.

So, New Year's in Herat for Dani was very enjoyable. . . . The group had a bonfire with near-beer and soda. Not nearly as exciting as the festivities stateside, but not too shabby either. And seeing more of the country is always exciting.