The first week in Afghanistan was spent at the Embassy in Kabul attending more briefs and training.  The group of people that I trained with in Indiana and DC was still fairly intact so we spent a great week of playing Scrabble and going to the bar Duck and Cover, on the Embassy grounds.

The training included more lectures and the issuance of gear for the field. I stayed in what they call a hootch – another small trailer with bunk beds but at least I had intermittent internet and could Skype home. During the week I got credentialed to be on the grounds of the Embassy – a badge with my picture on it.

The Embassy houses around one thousand people and serves the needs of the people living and working there as well as people like me who transfer through there on their way to the field. It is a mix of military and civilians. There are two official places to eat called DFAC (Dining Facility) and the food is fairly good – lots of fresh fruits and vegetables that I am trying to stick with and then other cafeteria style choices. The food has labels that include the nutritional values – most foods are fairly high in sodium unfortunately…