Hesco Bar. Wunderbar.

We’ve been at a lower altitude for the past few days, generally less than 450 meters, so the headaches have subsided. The food, while awful, gets better with every lowered expectation, so I’m not dreading it so much anymore. As of this morning, I’m caught up with the project effort to where I want to be.

So far, so good.


I still can’t get on the wonder web effectively, which is why these don’t appear in real time sometimes, but I’ll try a new plan this morning. My camera self destructed as well today, while I was taking an early stroll about the perimeter, peeking over the battlements on occasion to see what lays outside Coalition control. We’ve no more meetings here, and our flight south isn’t until tomorrow morning, so it’s a good day to stop and smell the roses.

And I did so right after breakfast, and may do again at lunch, as the largest rose gardens on the camp are next to the DFAC. They’re scores of plants, and beautiful, but sometimes overwhelmed by the adjacent lilacs, which you can smell many meters away. There’s also a local hardwood which flowers this time of year, and makes the shade ever more appealing.

None of this is natural, but the Germans have a vegetation and landscaping plan for this camp, and irrigate these plantings on most of the major thoroughfares. In another eight years, there may be enough established shade to almost make the summers tolerable. Of course, there’s the war and all outside, but that doesn’t particularly mean you can’t have a garden spot and a couple of beers when you get home at night.

Or does it? The Germans appear resigned to be here for the long haul. They’re spending a lot more per square foot on the buildings they construct, and seem to be prepared to make a career out of this place. The Americans are more frantic in their development, and are continuously subject to the needs of the moment. This forced expediency causes untold inefficiencies, as this year’s work may have to be relocated to accommodate next year’s crisis.

Perhaps the Germans are just more realistic about their involvement here. We aren’t leaving any time soon, that’s for sure, so you might as well be comfortable while you wait.