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Sunday, February 19, 2012

I met a man on the way to Bagram

The other day, I was on a crowded C-130 bound for Bagram. I sat next to a large man who began to share his life with me. He is a civilian contractor who is no doubt trying to make as much money as he can before the coffers dry up. But there we were sitting on those delightful red cargo net seats contemplating what life would hold for us when the ramp drops.

He brought out his camera and showed me pictures of his wife, dogs, house, mother, father, and many of his possessions. As I clung to the net to keep me from losing ground by sliding sideways off the seat.

It is funny how we all have the same stories no matter who we are or what purpose we serve. I will never meet this man again but I would like to thank him for thinking well enough about me to share his life with me.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

World Travel

I love traveling the world. It can get painful at times.  But where else can you see a man with a boom box and 1/2 dozen cans of tang in special orange bags in an airport. In a world of iPods I am glad to see that some still strive to be individuals. This made the trip almost worth the pain.