03Jan12 Gota get to the gym

03Jan12 Gota get to the gym

I've been here at HQ ISAF for three weeks now and still am not into a decent routine.  One of the nice things about being a contractor overseas is that one generally gets into a daily routine and follows it everyday.  While it can be boring and monotonous it is simple and stress reducing.  Anyway, above is a pic of the gym (that I need to get to) but for right now I just pass by it on the way to DFAC for meals.  The gym is also one of the only hardened structures on base so it's where everyone took refuge during an attack (such as on 13 Sep 11.) 
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/8759579/Kabul-US-embassy-attack-September-13-as-it-happened.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZtYM7ZRIE0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H47Jx2OpoRs
On the youtube vids, most of the soldiers you see are not American but Macedonian.  You can tell from the bright yellow and orange patch on the shoulder part of the uniform.  The guys in the darker green uniforms are Americans. In Iraq, security was 'contracted' out to Ugandans.  In Afghanistan its done by Macedonians (for odd political reasons!)  It seems  that many things here happen for political reasons. 
Also, it's still cold here and you can see the mountains during the day (I currently work the night shift 8 PM to 8 AM.)  The days are nice and can be very clear.  But at night, there's an haze of pollutants in the air during to all the burning of anything to keep warm.  And winter has really only just started.
R/Chris