I am back in Buenos Aires and killing time in my apartment, watching a lot of Big Bang Theory and enjoying having a kitchen full of my favorite food. But I am missing all of the awesome hanging out I was able to do with the great people in Kabul. From ordering Indian, Thai or Lebanese food, and then eating it at the DFAC (Dining Facility) by the pool with white tablecloths, or cooking outside of my hooch with my volleyball teammates Travis and Mariano, meals were the center of socializing. Because I was in a hooch, I didn't want to be at home so I would leave the house at 6 am, go work out, stop home for a quick shower, and then be out all day, working, going to whatever activity the CLO organized, hanging out during meals, or just talking at the Firepit or beach side.
I loved all the time we had to hang out, to talk and just ask silly questions and get to know each other. I kept commenting that I really appreciated the time to just talk to people - we don't do that enough in the "real world." And as you can imagine, there is so much going on in Kabul, professionally, personally, and all sorts of ways, that there is always plenty to talk about. I guess after a few months it might get old but for six weeks it was fun.
We also organized silly activities, things you don't do outside of Kabul but there, you fill time with whatever you have on hand. We had a big pirate themed happy hour (with hats, eye patches, and lots of Pirates booty for treats). The whole team came out and had a great time. Of course, the work never stops so I ended up on the blackberry much of the night, but at least I wasn't in my hooch or the office.
I am back in Buenos Aires and killing time in my apartment, watching a lot of Big Bang Theory and enjoying having a kitchen full of my favorite food. But I am missing all of the awesome hanging out I was able to do with the great people in Kabul. From ordering Indian, Thai or Lebanese food, and then eating it at the DFAC (Dining Facility) by the pool with white tablecloths, or cooking outside of my hooch with my volleyball teammates Travis and Mariano, meals were the center of socializing. Because I was in a hooch, I didn't want to be at home so I would leave the house at 6 am, go work out, stop home for a quick shower, and then be out all day, working, going to whatever activity the CLO organized, hanging out during meals, or just talking at the Firepit or beach side. 
I loved all the time we had to hang out, to talk and just ask silly questions and get to know each other. I kept commenting that I really appreciated the time to just talk to people - we don't do that enough in the "real world." And as you can imagine, there is so much going on in Kabul, professionally, personally, and all sorts of ways, that there is always plenty to talk about. I guess after a few months it might get old but for six weeks it was fun.
We also organized silly activities, things you don't do outside of Kabul but there, you fill time with whatever you have on hand. We had a big pirate themed happy hour (with hats, eye patches, and lots of Pirates booty for treats). The whole team came out and had a great time. Of course, the work never stops so I ended up on the blackberry much of the night, but at least I wasn't in my hooch or the office.
US Diplomats: Work hard, play haarrrrd.
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