International Women's Day

There was a celebration of the International Women's Day in Aybak today, and we were invited. I held a speech that was written for me by the PSYOPS (psychological operations) department of PRT MeS. My speech was translated and it lasted with the translation about 10 minutes. We also showed a 14-minute film about women in the Afghan and International security forces (in reality we stopped showing the film after about 7 minutes, because no-one was watching it). The event started at 1030, about an hour behind schedule, which seemed to worry no-one. A female police officer and an NDS agent were searching all locals who entered the hall of the Medina Hotel in Aybak. About 150-200 guest found their seats at last. There were speeches, poems, songs, and of course, tea and cake. Then there were more speeches, and then some more speeches. At 1225 we left, because there seemed to be no end to the speeches.

In the afternoon the logistics transport came, bringing one generator mechanic with them. They had not notified us about their arrival in advance, so there was no lunch for us left when we arrived from the Women's Day celebrations. Great. After eating whatever I could find I suddenly felt so tired that went for a nap, but couldn't sleep, because there was again someone who wanted something. Then some paperwork came up, and after that a briefing over the phone about the insurgents fighting each other in the neighbouring province, and before I knew it, it was evening again. Another day gone by with positively no spare time, or a chance to go to the gym.


The women were of course seated separately from the few men who were present.


The mullah was on fire, like they usually are. He barely had time to take a quick sip of water before starting his agitation again.


I was bored.


Fortunately there was a plethora of headgear for my amusement.


At the safe house, Isaf was taking it easy in the sunshine. She's getting bigger and bigger.