2 weeks down

Tomorrow marks the 2 week mark since my arrival at my new home.   Its actually gone by pretty quickly.  My counterpart from the prior PRT has begun her journey home to her family and now the new groups is left sort of looking around saying, "now what?"    We are trying to get organized to follow in their footsteps. 

I have settled into my new home, at least as much as I am able.  Its nice to finally have my own space again.   Overall our facilities are pretty nice.  They are hardened buildings and I have a room similar to a college dorm room, maybe a little smaller.   Its certainly not home but I think it could be worse considering.    Food is OK.  Of course there is only so much variety to be expected, but there are fresh fruits and vegetables and ice cream, which I wasn't sure I'd have.   I miss my lattes but when I am able to get to one of the nearby FOBs there is a Green Beans coffee!  I have posted a link describing this awesome company that also allows folks back home to buy coffee for deployed "Joes". 

We have been called to the nearby hospital twice since arriving.   Part of our mission here is to treat/stabilize and transport any civilians that are wounded with threat to life, limb or eyesight.  The local hospital is simply not equipped to handle these gravely injured people.  Sadly I have seen 2 children who were unable to saved because their injuries were too severe, both as a result of the war in their homeland.   It has been a really eye opening experience and one I will not soon forget.    Unfortunately these will not likely be the last and there is no way to "get used" to seeing that.  Makes me long to hold my own babies even more.   I'm hoping the time continues to pass quickly....