Lunch, Afghan style
Most of our duties here involve providing security for those that are coordinating the rebuilding efforts. Of course, this sometimes pulls us out at mealtimes. Today was one of those days. The person we were escorting had a lunch meeting with a local contractor, so we followed them out to the local's house in town. Well, they all ate inside, and the Force Protection (ForPro) personnel secured the street. As we are out there, as always, we act as a magnet for the iron fillings of all the local children, who soon form quite a crowd on the side of the road watching us.
One guy tries, without much success, to teach the children a "hook-em" sign...blech...they respond much better to my Gig'em from the turret of the Humvee (and no, the weapon was pointed away from the kids, and did not influence them at all!).
The group around us is mostly boys...down the street, leaning out from a door built into the wall, are a bunch of girls and very young boys...leaning out to take a look at the Americans that have occupied a portion of their street...they smile shyly and wave. As I sit in the turret, I hear a noise from my right, a metal door opening. I look over and catch a glimpse of bright eyes and colorful scarves as the door slams shut. Waiting a bit, the door opens again, and there are about 6 girls...all under 8 or so, peeking through the doorway. Just like in a cartoon their heads are all lined up. When I turn towards them, the door slams shut with much giggling.
Eventually, our crowd leaves...shortly there after, they bring rugs out to set on the ground. Lunch is coming...after everyone (except me, I'm behind the .50) is seated, they bring out huge platters with plates heaped with rice, grilled goat, some kind of meatballs, grapes and other foods. Another platter is covered with the local flat bread. Our hosts notice me, and bring me a separate platter...each of these platters had enough food for 3 times as many people as we had with us. The rice was...good, very good. Cooked to perfection, and it tasted as if it was coated with some olive oil and seasoning. Goat is...unlike any other meat I have eaten...it is very fatty and gristly...not bad, but not my first choice. The meatballs were slightly spicy, very good with the rice and flatbreads. Afghan cooking is quite good.
Anyhow...I've rambled enough...might come back and clean this up later...for now..its dinner time.
Mik
One guy tries, without much success, to teach the children a "hook-em" sign...blech...they respond much better to my Gig'em from the turret of the Humvee (and no, the weapon was pointed away from the kids, and did not influence them at all!).
The group around us is mostly boys...down the street, leaning out from a door built into the wall, are a bunch of girls and very young boys...leaning out to take a look at the Americans that have occupied a portion of their street...they smile shyly and wave. As I sit in the turret, I hear a noise from my right, a metal door opening. I look over and catch a glimpse of bright eyes and colorful scarves as the door slams shut. Waiting a bit, the door opens again, and there are about 6 girls...all under 8 or so, peeking through the doorway. Just like in a cartoon their heads are all lined up. When I turn towards them, the door slams shut with much giggling.
Eventually, our crowd leaves...shortly there after, they bring rugs out to set on the ground. Lunch is coming...after everyone (except me, I'm behind the .50) is seated, they bring out huge platters with plates heaped with rice, grilled goat, some kind of meatballs, grapes and other foods. Another platter is covered with the local flat bread. Our hosts notice me, and bring me a separate platter...each of these platters had enough food for 3 times as many people as we had with us. The rice was...good, very good. Cooked to perfection, and it tasted as if it was coated with some olive oil and seasoning. Goat is...unlike any other meat I have eaten...it is very fatty and gristly...not bad, but not my first choice. The meatballs were slightly spicy, very good with the rice and flatbreads. Afghan cooking is quite good.
Anyhow...I've rambled enough...might come back and clean this up later...for now..its dinner time.
Mik
Labels: Afghanistan, Military
posted by Mik | 7/04/2005 06:37:00 PM
2 Comments:
Happy 4th! Thinking of you as we celebrate our freedom. Thanks!
Hey Mr. R...sorry bout me not commenting for awhile! I didn't forget about ya...promise. lol...That's funny, about the little girls...Must have been a sight to see...AGH! I can't wait until you come back to the states!
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