A hot and interesting day.

I went to the market!  It;s a weird time because people are calling at you and trying to sell things.  I'm getting the gist of how things work here, so I tried my hand at it.  I'm kind of a sucker if people really say they're hard up, and the visble appearance of these people really makes that statement quite believable: eyes closed by the sun, the look of hardship on their faces, hands calloused, and usually filthy.  Anyhow - I had no intention of buying anything today.  All I wanted to do was see how they play their game at selling things - and now I learned (I think).  Anyhow - I'd go to a stand (or get pulled aside), and a person would try to sell me something.  I'd ask "how much?".  They'd say the price, then I'd say - well, I think I can get it cheaper at another stand (or whatever).  They'd usually come back with another price.  Anyhow - today I realized just how pliable they are in prices.  In the end, there is a game to be played in the market, and if you don't know how to play it - you'll get burned.  (Oh speaking of getting burned - remember when I told you that that vendor last time said that they weren't going to be selling Snider-Enfield's ever again?  Well - I was surprised that he actually was telling the truth - no muskets, etc., were being sold today.  RATS!)  Anyhow - I'm including a pic of a guy who successfully got me into his booth to look at the clothes he was selling.  Anyhow - he bargained with me back and forth (they're good!).  In the end, I got a typical Afghan hat for real cheap, and a couple of other souvenirs.  I'll show you them when I get home.  The guy tried to sell me an Afghan turban... but I didn't take him up on it.  Anyhow, like I said - it was just an education on how to do business at the market.  I kind of like it at home where the price is stated - no bargaining, no rip offs (sort of).  Hey - it's probably too bad we can't buy gas like this... or maybe not.  Say - what's the price of gas back home anyways?

The other pic I'm including is of the type of Afghan bread I ate (not the one I ate - I finished mine before I remembered to take a pic of it!)

The last pic is of me at my desk.  Part of my work is alot of brainwork so others can get to work.

As I walked through the camp, I was saddened this morning to see that on the central flagpole, the Canadian Flag was bein flown - half mast.  This falgpole is a special one because beside it is the Afghan National Flag.  On days when nobody's life has been sacrificed, the NATO flag flies proudly beside the Afghan Flag - to show we work together in rebuilding this country.  On days when a soldier's life is taken, the flag of that nation is flown, at half mast in lieu of the NATO flag.  Hence, it is a sad time to see your nation's flag flying.  May that soldier's soul rest in peace.  We are remembering him here at the camp.