Another Taxi

In the top picture is another example of an Afghani taxi. I missed a better opportunity for this picture yesterday, they had three guys riding in the bucket and at least 7 on other parts of the excavator. Today they knew we were going to be outside waiting to take their picture and they were all smiles as they came around the corner. Also, notice the jingles on the arm of the excavator, they're everywhere. The other day I saw them on a military John Deere gator.

The other two pictures are proof of why we do not let the Afghani contractors do electrical work on the projects. This example of electrical wiring was at the contractor's Conex container office. Underneath the cardboard is a Honda generator. They have taken two or three extension cords spliced them together and connected to the generator with no ground wire. In the second picture you can see where they connect into the wiring for the offices. When they loose power, they splice into the wiring for the offices, and start the generator. Amazing no one has been electrocuted.

Yesterday, I experienced another first in my military career and it reminded me of the difference between Air Force, National Guard and the Army. I was wandering around, with a purpose (this time), and found myself in a building. As I approached a young soldier, I could see him trying to figure out who I was. When he saw the rank on my shoulder, he stopped, stood straight against the hallway wall and at the top of his lungs, called the building to attention. Caught me by surprise and once my ears quit ringing, I remembered to tell them to go back to what they were doing.