Wayward: Dinner Party

I got up at 0630 to go for a run. It was already quite hot outside. I didn't sleep at all well, because the air conditioning in the tent went off all the time because of power shortages. I ran four laps around the camp, had a quick shower and breakfast. There was some administrative work for me to do, and I also spent some time talking with various staff members. In the afternoon I rode back to Aybak from CNL with the CO's (commanding officer's) CPT (close protection team), and the CO himself, of course. We arrived less than an hour before the informal VIP dinner at the PO was supposed to begin. The Afghan guests arrived a little late, as expected, so we had time to look to the final preparations.

The dinner went better than I anticipated. Both the governor and the CO were seemingly pleased with the arrangement, and most importantly with the conversations. No-one of the other guests seemed to think of the occasion as time wasted. We started off with welcoming drinks on the sundeck, non-alcoholic of course. Then there was a starter salad and roast beef with potatoes. For dessert we had tea, coffee and Finnish "pulla" in the main briefing room. After the Afghan guests had left, the CO had the Nato medal ceremony for MOT D. To my surprise, he also wanted to commend me for my achievements under his command, and presented me with the memorial shield of PRT MeS FS18. How about that. Some of the guys were not too thrilled about having to act as serving staff, but what can you do. It's a soldier's life.