I have been back home for 7 months. What has changed? And what happens now for me as we move into 2010.
Thanks to Salar’s suggestion to keep the web page going…
So much has happened since returning and this will be the subject for the next while.
First, I apologize for the long delay in updating this webpage. I never realized how many people were reading it. Many things have occured since I left Kabul…which in itself are many other stories. I spent alot of time with family, getting much needed rest and doing alot of reflection.
I am well and have returned to my governmnent job in Whitehorse, Yukon. Mainly, because I ran out of money and it was taking too long to find another mission and one that was not Fench speaking country.
I still miss the people of Afghanistan very much and have been in touch with them. However, it is so nice to have freedom and to just walk down the street and not be in fear for your life. And to ride ones bike again is great.
Thanks again for following me along the adventure, I hope to do it again soon, but for now I go back to a more normal life.
Kevin
It is a sad day today. I am not in Turkey, nor does it look like I will get to Turkey. Today is my last day in Afghanistan. The high stress of the job, the lack of internal support and the almost inhumane working conditions became too much to bare. It was decided it would best for all to find another mission to work. I don’t know when or where…
I leave for Paris tomorrow morning. Don’t know how I long will be there.
I leave behind many friends, and colleagues, who in the last few days, have been very supportive. I leave behind my national staff, who have worked so hard and I have become close to. I will miss them very much. In a few hours I will say goodbye to the staff, it will be quite emotional. However, I will not miss the tight security and the lack of freedom.
Who knows, this website might now be called ‘Kevin in Banglandesh’ or ‘Kevin in Haiti’ ??
I truly hope peace can come to this country and it’s people. I have been so fortunate to have had this experience in Afghanistan and was able to leave in one piece, when so many have not.
I will post more information when I have it. Thanks to you all for following along with me.
The workload is huge before I leave for my break on Saturday morning. I am now working 12 hour days just to keep up and to be ready to leave for my 10 days off. I need to finish the 2 revised proposal for the European Union and hope they like the changes, so we can be granted the new work. I have to finish writing a big MoU with government agencies for my new and large water project in Charikar City, so far I have 9 pages and growing. Also need to rearrange the staff organisation chart to make improvments. Also need to meet with several key stakeholders on the projects. Then there is the tracking of the budgets (which I don’t like at all). Ofcourse, then there is the day to day activities and numerous little problems. Some where, I need to find time to eat and sleep, of which I am not doing very well. It’s all so crazy right now and wonder how I will get through the next 7 months?
… the noise was bloody scary, the whole house shook. Not a nice start to the day off at 5:30. Jumped to the window, and could only see 4 before they were out of sight. Must have a been 6 or 7, big and black with no markings…likley enroute to Khandahar? 
Really need to get out of here for awhile….
