Mazar-e-Sharif in the Spring

After returning from Leave Between Taskers (one of our R&R trips), Dani was assigned a new Area Office. So the first six months were full of trips to Jalalabad (in the east), and the second six months will be full of trips to Mazar-e-Sharif, Kunduz and Feyazabad (in the north). (Assuming she can ever make it to Kunduz and/or Feyazabad.)


Homes nestled amongst runoff channels and trees. The trees are not common, unfortunately.



A valley with the river running through it. The route between Kabul and northern Afghanistan required crossing the Hindu Kush. The views are just stunning.


Snow capped mountains.

The topography never ceases to amaze. It looks like a model you would see in a museum. After flying over the mountains in the states, Dani has decided the reason topography stands out so much in Afghanistan because there aren't trees. So you can see every change in the hillside - it's not masked by the foliage of trees.

More mountains. Dani still thinks the adventure tourism industry would be a good idea.

Being as it's springtime, the mountains have a little more green than they will in the next months.

Mountains. . . valleys. . . .just imagine the life of those living here.

Breathtaking!

With the photos being so small it may be difficult to tell, but in the center-bottom of this photos, there is a village on the hillside. Can you begin to imagine the "roughing it" and simplicity of living there?

This gorge was amazing! The geological features in Afghanistan never end - there is something different and unique around every bend.

This is closer to Sari Pul and Meymana provinces.

A valley expanse of green. Again, greenery in Kabul is very limited, so this is a nice treat to see.

This is at the Marmal Airfield in Mazar-e-Sharif. The reddish/brown in the green grass are poppy flowers (or so Dani's told).

One of the soldiers traveling with Dani picked one for her.

And this is the Mazar-e-Sharif commercial terminal.


Again, the scenery. . .

Patchwork of agriculture.

Dave Linn enjoying the ride.

Here is a photo of one our the ANP Uniform Police District Headquarters construction sites. This site currently has a land dispute because the Contractor didn't build where he was supposed to. Instead, this plot of land on the top of a hill in the middle of a farmers field was chosen. Apparently it sounded like a good idea at the time.

This "gorge" was another surprise to see.

The deep valleys with steep sides are so amazing.

Here's a closer view of the valley walls that drop like cliffs.

The expanse of mountains, ,hills, and valleys. In most places vehicles cannot be your mode of transport.

"Civilization" revolves around valleys with rivers or at least seasonal water flow. The Afghans are very crafty with diverting the water to fields and homes.

Valley life . . .

Another ANP District Headquarters building. From the air the roof features are very distinctive in addition to being a bright shiny metal. It makes it easy to find the construction sites.

Just look at this. . . .beautiful!

Another plateau that rapidly drops to a valley floor.

The edge of the valley against the mountains.

City life . . .Very little greenery and every residence with a wall around it.

Dani on an Afghan National Army helo.

Dani had the pleasure of an unexpected overnight stay at Camp Spann during this trip. The conference room was cozy for her and Lauren.

And since none of us brought an overnight bag, we had to get creative. These spoons were crafted into a contact case! :-)

At the MeS Resident Office, the team made this sign board. It's neat to see where everyone is from and how far it is from Afghanistan.

This is the back side of the signs. Or it could be the front side. . .

Ulrike, the office engineer, does a great job of growing roses. The little greenery amongst the rocks is nice.

The flags at the Resident Office.

The lush valley in the springtime.

Another valley. The lines of brown easily identify where runoff leaves the mountains. These runoff channels are called wadis.

Snow capped mountains on the way to Kabul.

The harsh topography makes passage essentially impossible by foot.

Wouldn't this be fun to ski?!

Or how about these?

Always breathtaking beauty.

Again, life flurishes in the valleys of the mountains. Thes greenery demonstrates this from afar.

Leaving the mountains and into the Bagram valley.

This is a reservoir just outside of Kabul.

And as one enters the Kabul valley, the perpetual "haze" welcomes you. Wind and rain are always welcome to knock the crud out of the air.

Views of the city, Kabul.

Views of Kabul.

This "palace" is stunning and the grounds are well manicured.

It's neat to see the homes continue to rise along the hillside.

Easter

Dani was on the road during most of the Easter festivities, but Billy (in orange) partnered with Andy (in stripes) for the egg toss. They got third place!



The teams preparing.



Billy with perfect tossing form.



Billy waving to the crowd. . . err, to Andy.

Billy with a save!

Sydney, our wonderful baker, made these cupcakes. A lot of care went into this.

Most meals are served from a line in the DFAC. But for holidays, the Kspan is decorated for two seatings and people volunteer to serve the tables. Billy and Dani were joined by Paul Cravens and Ed Louis.

Sheena, Andy, Billy and Dani at dinner.

Andy and Billy. Don't they look like trouble makers!

Billy and Dani with Paul, Carmine, Eric, Andy, Christina, Alicia, Sheena, and Ed.

Living the High Life in Dubai

When leaving Afghanistan, we fly to Dubai and have about 12 hours on the ground before our international flight. So, we decided to visit the Burj al Arab, the world's only 7 star hotel! This is the hotel shaped like sail that people send doctored up photos of the helipad as a tennis court. . . We had to make reservations for afternoon tea in order to even get on the premises.

Billy and Dani in front of the hotel sign.

The hotel sign up close.

This camel was out front and too pretty to pass up. Dani thought about climbing on it, but figured that would be a one-way ticket out of the hotel.

The hotel is basically on an island. This photo is looking back at the neighboring beach.

And looking the other direction, the entry way, and neighboring hotel.

Standing at the bottom of the hotel, here's what the sail looks like.

Another angle of the "sail."

The entry to the hotel.

Dani and the camel.

The STRREEETTCCCHHH limo that belongs to the hotel.

Even the town cars have the emblem for the hotel on them. Very fancy!

This is the view as you walk into the hotel and look up. The grey marble is a fountain, and the rest are floors of rooms.

Looking from the second floor down to the lobby. The colored rocks in the fountain are just beautiful.

Again, looking up to the top of the "sail" from the inside.

A little more centered in the building . . . looking up.

The second floor of the hotel has shops, restaurants, and this beautiful fountain that danced with the music. Like a mini-Bellagio.

This is one of the booths at a restaurant. It was not serving any afternoon meals.

Another angle of this same restaurant.

The top floor has a restaurant that overlooks the water. Live music (lady in red playing the piano) is just part of the ambiance.

We finally sat down to have afternoon tea in the second floor "open" restaurant. It was a 7 course tea. This was the first course - finger sandwiches.

Followed by a wonderful salmon wrapped in filo dough - the sauce on it was amazing!

The third course was sorbet to cleanse the palate.

And then tea - many flavors to choose from.

The fifth course was scones, and boy where they good!

Then there was a yogurt and fruit dessert.

Followed by the last, but definitely not least, dessert options - all delicious!

From where we were sitting, this was the view looking up! It's very impressive.

And looking behind us, this was the view!

Dani striking a pose - the orchids in the background are real!

Billy and Dani enjoy tea!

After the Burj, we went to the Hyatt. Out front they had what Dani thinks of as the Beaver car! So of course there's a picture!

The Hyatt has a beach, which we walked along and waded in the water.

Billy during sunset at the beach.

Dani waded to this little rise in the sand.

The landscaping at the Hyatt was very pretty. Billy liked this as an idea for the future backyard.

And the chandelier in the lobby was stunning.

On the taxi ride back to the hotel, we went by the world's tallest building. It is currently closed for tourist to go to the top deck - perhaps next time.

This is a mosque we went by - yeah, not the best photo, but still neat how it is lit up.