So, on to my typical day...
I sleep at odd hours but usually I go to sleep anywhere from around 8:00AM to 10:00AM and wake up anywhere from 2:00-6:00pm. Although in that time that i am sleeping I usually wake up a couple times to the sounds of jets breaking overhead, the stench of sewage and burning trash, or the PA system going off to announce a "Controlled Explosion to the west of Camp in 5 minutes" There are teams constantly clearing land mines and blowing up weapons caches just outside the base and they always make an announcement prior to initiating the explosion so that it won't be mistaken for a rocket attack.
I can't even begin to describe the disgusting smells here. It will literally wake you from a deep sleep and you will feel as though you are choking because the air is so heavy. I'm sure that breathing this stuff is somehow not good for us!
I mentioned the controlled explosions but there are a million other noises to keep you awake as well...helicopters, jets, trucks, explosions....you name it, we got it here!
So, I think you probably have a pretty good idea that sleeping can be next to impossible at times.
So, when I get up, I will usually put on my PT uniform, grab my, flashlight, gun and ammo and go eat, hit the BX if I need anything, get a haircut, or just walk around the base. After a while, I will usually go back to the MOD and drop off my gun and exchange it for my extra pair of shoes so I can go to the gym. To go to the gym here, you have to carry shoes with you so that you don't track in the dust. The gym is really nice and reminds you of the inside of a really nice fitness club back home. It's nice to go there because mentally it takes you out of Afghanistan for an hour or so each day.
Ok, back from the gym, I gather my flashlight, towel, extra clothes, and shaving kit and make my way down the hall to the shower facilities to get ready for work. I then make my way back to my bunk put on my uniform, grab my backpack, gun, ammo, and my reflective belt and head to the bus stop. The bus stop is just up the street from my MOD so I don't have far to walk to catch a bus. I usually arrive at the bus stop around 10:45 to catch the 11:00pm bus to work. The maximum speed on base is 20km per hour which is somewhere around 13mph so you have to catch the bus an hour earlier than when you need to arrive for work. I start work at midnight so, I catch the 11:00pm bus.
I take over the ops counter at midnight and make sure that the aircrews that are about to fly have all the latest information concerning the airfield, weather, and any changes to their mission. After I get settled in and everything is running smooth, I will go next door to maintenance and get some food. The Maintenance folks are working 12 hour shifts and have no way to get to a DFAC to eat so they go and get meals to go for everyone. I also stop by and get the next days flying schedule from Maintenance while i am over there. Depending on what day it is I will usually get done with my shift around 8:00 am but occasionally, we have to work later to help out.
I take the next available bus back to the MOD, change into PT gear. and go to sleep. There is no wearing civilian clothes here so you are either in your uniform or PT uniform. Makes it easy to decide what to wear!
So, that's a typical day for me, however, if you ask someone living in a tent, their perspective would probably be much different because they have to actually go outside and walk to another tent to take a shower and the living conditions in the South Park compound are not the greatest.
I'm sure I have missed some minor details but you get the idea...
Just a few more weeks...can't wait to get home!
Mike
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