I finally was able to leave Camp Stone, my assigned base, for the first time since returning from Kabul over a month ago, and I even partook in my first convoy. While sitting in a humvee for a few hours isn't particularly comfortable, what with a bulletproof vest on and a helmet, getting to see some more of western Afghanistan was well worth the discomfort. We drove south from Herat on the ring road, a nice paved road that goes all around Afghanistan, or most of the way around. It is such a nice road (there are very few paved roads) and so convenient for commerce (travelled by many trucks) that the insurgents do not use it for IEDs or the population would quickly turn against their "cause."
Well, we had to branch off the ring road to make it to Farah, this road was also paved and goes through Shewan, a village surrounded by seas of poppies. Most kids along the way would wave at us except in Shewan, this one 10 year old came running out and through a pretty good sized rock at our vehicle (we were in the lead) aiming no doubt for the gunner, the only person to stick out of the vehicle, but hitting the windshield instead. Needless to say other than a loud bang there was no damage done, I would hope it would take more to dent a hummer, but it was still an interesting experience. And if this is the worst that happens to me I will be fine with it!
As far as the poppy eradication program... is it working?
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