Day 15: Sheenza Wer

Abdullah Rauf, at left, requests help for his ailing eyes. Our "terp" suggests he gets glasses. Select this photo and check out the troops in the background providing security. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

The young girl, at left, takes care of her younger brother and then asks me for a cigarette. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Afghanistan is full of irony; here an elderly gentleman sits outside a mud home with a new motorcycle parked nearby. Select this photo and check out the licence plate on the bike ... some things never change. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

It was a 40-minute or so trip east of "home base" toward Jalalabad. The village, Sheenza Wer, is home to some 400 folks. It's a newly built village the residents of which are in need of the customary medical care, wells and clothing among other things. My understanding is they were mostly Pakistani and moved into the area some two or three years ago.

It sits in a valley surrounded by small mountains and rolling hills; had it included some trees and/or snow, one could argue it looked a lot like Utah. But it didn't, and the rock and dirt and mud homes ensured everyone making the trip didn't confuse it for a resort stateside.

Afghanistan is full of irony: a mud home with a motorcycle propped up next to it; an outdoor kiln with a brand new Toyota pickup truck being loaded with bricks; dark, deep creviced faces under Arizona Diamondback baseball caps, and a donkey replacing a four-wheeler at the local store.

A four-year old asked me for a cigarette -- though probably not to smoke herself, but to sell. At least I'm hoping that was the case.

The mud homes are built within high walls of, yes, more mud. They're smooth walls and quite sturdy as the winters are harsh here. I'm impressed by what Afghans can do with mud. Each wall sits next to a large hole in the ground that was dug up to make the walls.

An old gentlemen stopped by to talk with our medic; our "terp," short for interpreter, said the old man complained he had a hard time seeing. When asked how old he was, the gentleman replied, "Ninety-five."

At which time our "terp" said, "You are very old, that's why you can't see as well as before. You should use glasses."

Which the old man responded with, "I'm not old enough for glasses."

There were a lot of back aches --- from lugging around rock and dirt; sore or broken ribs, headaches, sleep deprivation etc. They all seemed in relatively good spirits though, especially the children who, like anywhere in the world, were busy running around seeing what trouble they could get themselves into.

Looking out over the valley there was a healthy mix of U.S., British and Afghan troops securing the area. The big event for the day -- humanitarian "give-aways" including sandles, jeans, shirts, blankets and asorted other clothing. It was a good day.