200 yards

The day (May 18th) started off like any other day; the sun was out and the sky was clear. It was so clear that you could see the mountains behind the hospital and you had a little skip in your step. But at 8:10am everything turned chaotic. I was in my office meeting with two supervisors when there was a heart rattling sound that blew open the windows in my office. Before I even realized what happened I was on the ground next to my desk, along with my supervisors.

I recognize the question was silly but I couldn't help but ask if that was an explosion. My supervisors responded with a "yes" as we were getting up from the floor. Some how I gained composure and asked them to return to their wards and make sure everyone was OK. As we all left the office, there was a crowd of visitors and staff gazing out the long window in the hallway. When I looked, you could see a black ominous cloud billowing up just behind the building next to the hospital. There was also a sound of small arms fire, which later we were told that may have just been the ammunition in the convoy exploding. The incident took place just 200 yards from the hospital.

I made the rounds and discovered everyone (visitors, staff and patients) were OK. Several windows had been blown out. One very thankful patient had just gotten out of bed when the glass blew on to her bed. The supervisors and I went out front and we began to set up a little triage/first aid station near the front gate. We held all surgeries in case we needed the operating rooms but no one came. A few patients with minor injuries went to our Family Health Center which was set further back from the blast site. They were unable to save a pregnant women who woman who had to be extracted from the bus that was close to the blast. I felt like I was living an episode of MASH.

By 10am everything was over and we all attempted to gain some control over our day. Almost as as cruel joke, the clouds turned black and a thunderstorm blew in. It started to hail, the size of moth balls. With each crack of thunder I couldn't help but wonder if this was the end. What was next a plague of locusts?

The storm blew out by 3p. And then maybe like Noah, I needed I promise that things wouldn't be destroyed and I noticed the rainbow.

Keep Smiling

It took a volcano

It took a volcano but I was finally able to go home for a visit. I may have missed my conference and an opportunity to tool around Austria with friends, but going home was just what I needed. I didn't realize how much I needed to rest until I was home doing just that.

There was a slight bit of culture shock as I adjusted to being home. The first thing I noticed was being able to drive and that there are actual rules of the road that people follow. When I wasn't driving, it took me a while to get used to being allowed to sit in the front seat. The entire time I have been in Afghanistan, I can only think of one time I sat in the front. I'm not even sure that time counts since it was on my way from the airport when I first arrived.

The cost of fresh fruit and vegetables shocked me. But here, I pay $9 for a box of cereal, maybe $1.49 per lb of banana's isn't bad? I had a mini melt down in one store as I was trying to buy some pens to bring back. I haven't seen so many choices for things in a long time. Here, you buy whats available and are just thankful if you get a choice.

Some may call this culture shock, others may think I have PTSD. I was sitting at a traffic light and as a motorcycle drove by, it back fired. Before I knew it, I ducked behind my steering wheel. I also found it a little hard to get dressed. Suddenly skirts that come to my knees feel very short and when I tried on a sun dress, I didn't think I had enough clothes on.

It was a fabulous time at home. I feel recharged and ready to face the next few months. It is an adjustment to be here. I miss the water pressure I had at home. Wireless internet, I had forgotten how amazing it was. And consistent electricity, need I say more? I enjoyed my time at home; being allowed to walk around and not be a spectacle is a true gift.