09 June 2010

09 June 2010

My experience at Manas

We got off the plane and they rushed us straight over to get in-processed. They gathered up everyone’s ID cards and scanned them in. Even though we are not there yet, this makes it official. At this point, the count-down out of Afghanistan begins. Only 364 days remaining at this point. Ahh!

During the in-processing brief, one of the Airmen came in and welcomed everyone to Krygystan. In the same breath, she announced “There is a place here that serves alcohol. It’s called “Pete’s Bar”. Everyone here has been allowed to drink!”. You should’ve seen all of the puzzled and some delighted face in the crowd. “Alcohol? What?” muttered several people in the group. Once she realized what she said, she immediately retracted her statement by saying “Wait... Sorry. Not you guys. Wrong group. If you guys want to drink, whoever is in charge has to make the call.” Before she could even finish the sentence, one of the First Sergeants yelled “NO! No alcohol for any of us.” “Aww.” the group sighed : ( Personally, I thought it was a good call. I’d like to drink too but for the sake of the group, it’s just better this way. We have too many young and inexperienced soldiers. Add alcohol to the mix... Not good.

In-processing took a few hours. Everything from moving/carrying/dragging our bags (several times) to picking up linen for our beds and finally getting situated in our tent, it was an evening that was finally coming to a rest - or maybe not.

Time To Rock-Out!
Curious about the sound of live music coming from the Chapel on my way to pick up linen earlier, I decided to stop by and pay a visit. I walked in and saw that a group of church musicians who were just wrapping up practice. There were several instruments there. More than I’ve ever seen in any chapel I’ve visited. I walked up to the keyboardist and asked if he’d mind I play the bass. He said “No, sir. Help yourself.” I asked “Does any of this belong to you?”. He said “No. It all belongs to the church.” Nice.

I played the bass for a little while. The chapel cleared out (not because I was terrible, mind you). I finally got bored and decided to play the drums. There was a sign posted on the wall. “Use electric drums from 2200 - 1000”. That’s 10:00 p.m. - 10:00 a.m. The local time was about 10:20 p.m. I saw the electric drum set but I thought to myself “Man! That electric drum set might be too loud if I run it through the ‘house PA’ (Chapel’s audio system). I’ll just use the acoustic (regular type - same as the one we have in the garage) drum set. I tell you what... I was rockin’ out! BANG! BANG! DUHM! DUHM! DUHM! Nice! 5-minutes later, someone emerges from an office in the back of the chapel. “Can you read the sign? ‘Electric drums only’!” Said the bed-head-wearing, sleepy-eyed, groggy-looking chaplain. Crap! I woke up the chaplain. “Sir... I am SO SORRY! I apologize, sir” I said as I looked over at the electric drum set and realized it had a pair of headphones attached to them. Oops! He said “It’s okay. Just use the electric from now on.” I was so embarrassed I wanted to run away. As soon as he left, I was gone.