"Hello, I'm an Afghan stray mongrel puppy. Who are you?"
On the way back to the safe house we drove through the butchers' street again. It's always a good idea to have breakfast before driving through butchers' street in Aybak. Before lunch we made a second trip to city, this time to the provincial headquarters of the National Department of Security. This time I didn't stand guard but followed the CO and the interpreter to the meeting. I listened and learned and was introduced to some of the local officials of the NDS.
In the afternoon I continued the lengthty project of sorting the files of our Provincial Office, both in the computer and memory sticks as well as in the cupboard. That project is far from finished and of course it never will be, but it needs to be done. I couldn't find the papers or files that I needed during the first week. Once the paperwork is sorted I will perhaps be better able to concentrate on more important matters, such as acting as Officer in Command when the Commanding Officer is away (which he will be quite soon).
The most important thing to do, however, was getting the 15000 USD cash register of the PO in order. After thoroughly revising every reciept, advance, listing and cashbox - twice - I finally got the sum under the line to show 14984 dollars. It seems that I'll have to conjure up 16 dollars somewhere - sixteen dollars that my predecessor has done away with.
Dinner was again very special: Finnish river crayfish and duck breast in orange sauce with rösti potatoes. The occasion is the departure of the CO of Military Observer Team Echo. He was celebrated with speeces and presented an old british bayonette from his teammates. It was most probably not due to the dinner, but in the evening I felt ill and had a hard time falling asleep.
Farewell dinner for major V. (We don't eat like this every day.)
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