We're on vacation!

One of the most looked forward to events for a deployed soldier is "mid-tour leave" a brief vacation for a soldier during the rigors of a long deployment. However, since our deployment is only 9 months, we are not authorized for a leave period.

Nevertheless, our leadership has taken care of us. We're spending 2.5 days at Kandahar Air Field, a massive (understatement) ISAF base where we first entered Afghanistan. It's a welcomed relief from the last 5 months of hell.

Although it is only a short period of time we're making the most of it. Wireless internet, pizza, burgers, mega-gyms. All the stuff we do not have back on our small outpost, we are taking advantage of here.

As I mentioned in "Greetings from Afghanistan" KAF has a "Boardwalk" which is a collection of 40-50 shops and restaurants all centered around an open air sports complex. We're enjoying every bit of it. My favorite place is Green Bean Coffee, as I've been there 4 times in 24 hours now. TGI Fridays, KFC and a barber shop seem like heaven compared to what we've been leaving around the last 5 months.

I hope everyone enjoyed their summer vacations, wherever they may have been!

Soldiers and civilians from more than 40 countries enjoy the Boardwalk.

Until next time...

Chris