Friends & Food

I have been getting to know the SCWs more and more. They have me eat lunch with them. The Indian food they have is really good! Some of it they make themselves, some is from their bosses. They introduced me to "Cha-bat-ee" which is awesome. They also eat some yellow sauce thing with rice that is really good. They love when I eat with them, they always insist that I sit and eat or hang out with him.

I have started to try and learn Hindi, the language is hard, but I am getting it slowly. I can say "hello", and ask how someones day is going, and answer them. I can also say "yes", "no", and "thank you". I enjoy learning a new language when I am actually going to use it on a daily bases, and that makes it easier too. On the other hand I have been trying to learn some Arabic, which is even harder. I visit a man who works on base but lives outside the wire. He brings in pretty much whatever you need, and sells it to you for cheap. I get dress shirts from him for around 10 bucks a piece, which I think is a good deal. I ware an XXL in Iraqi size. They are pretty small people. I hope to get a picture with my buddy to show everyone back home. He is very funny and friendly.

Today I found out the one person in the group from Nepal actually lives at the base of Mt. Everest. Not only that but he has worked as a guide for the trek to the top! He has seen the top of Mt. Everest numerous times. I think that is really bad-ass! It blows my mind. I jokingly said "I visit you at your house" and he go all excited and would love it if I came to his village. I might have to do that! The SCWs are pretty amazing people.

Today I have also been assigned the task of visiting a few of the DeFacts (Dinning Facilities) on a daily bases to make sure they keep they keep hazardous materials out of the food prep area. I have worked in kitchens before, but have never seen anything like this. The place is packed and everyone is running around getting food ready very quickly. The massive amount of food that is used every day at one DeFact boggles my mind. They cook like 50-60 stakes at once, chop fruit by the barrel full, and peal boiled eggs by the basket full. I hope to get on the good side of the people in charge there that way I might be able to get some raw seafood to take by to my hooch and grill. They have times where they have lobster tail on the menu, I'd love to get my hands on a few of them. My mom sent me "Ol' Bay" and I'd love to cook with it.

I am burning all the videos and pictures I have taken and sending them home today. I got in trouble for using to much internet. They don't want people to use over a certain bandwidth and Collegehumor got the best of me the other day. I hope that once Ashley gets them she can post them in a photobucket for everyone to see. I hope all is well at home, and thank you for the people to read this, it is nice to know someone enjoys this.

Andrew