Well, things are going quite well around here. The Afghan Presidential elections went far smoother than anybody hoped. Most of the media hype about the ink used in the finger marking process ignores the incredible successes that occurred. A large number of ballots have been counted and we've a few more days to find out the results. Whoever wins, it'll be the choice of the Afghan people. More power to them.

Ramadan started on Friday of last week. That has certainly made things quite interesting for everybody. Part of the follower's practice includes abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. That makes for some incredibly cranky people. On the other hand, the locals are concentrating more on their religious devotions and less on launching rockets or other attacks against coalition forces. That is a definite benefit to us. Ramadan will last for 30 days, more or less, so that means we'll have 30 days of peace and quiet. I hope. Ramadan also means that the adherents can't smoke. I think that's making the locals more anxious than the fasting. Because of this abstinence traffic accidents of late, no matter how minor, have taken on a flashpoint overtone that is rather surprising. Scary too.

Today I was invited over to another camp and shared a meal with two of my Spanish partners and one of my office co-workers. It was nothing short of awesome. We had a torta espanola (as we call it in central/south America) that was worth dying for! The Spanish insisted that it was called a tortilla! What a riot we had working that one out. Basically this torta is nothing more than an egg souffle with onions and potatoes. Rather like an omelet. Great stuff. A touch of salt and garlic and it's a great meal! We sat and talked for about two or three hours and had a blast. It's nice to be able to share with others, even in a combat zone, and get to learn more about their culture and customs. We spent a great deal of time discussing the differences in word meanings and usages between the spoken Spanish as its used in Spain and Central/North America as well as English. There are so many differences in some of the cognates that it becomes comical. I hope to have the chance soon to invite them over to a nice American breakfast at the US base nearby, replete with foods high in cholesterol and fat. No doubt they'll enjoy it. Cheers!