Nuristan

The people of Nuristan are extraordinarily beautiful, much like the surrounding country.   This was my first chance to get out of Kabul and travel with the Ambassador.  Ambassador Eikenberry travels frequently to visit all of the provinces.  He might travel with an Afghan Minister or meet with the Provincial Governor.  We visit schools and factories and sometimes walk in the market.  Depending on where we are in the country, we are either in armored cars (Toyotas or Suburbans) or we drive in MRAPs.This visit included a stop at an agricultural center where the U.S. government gave some money to help a local village grow trees to prevent erosion.  We flew out on a Bell Huey helicopter and came back in three Blackhawks.   I got to see my friend Barbara who is out there for the year and I gained an appreciation for my apartment.  It is much nicer than the plywood box Barbara lives in.