Stoners...

While here in near Herat, I'm staying at Camp Stone. There was just a major shift of military personnel so last night lots of people wandering around, many times with guns, and cars and movement and there is also a strange orange light as I walk towards the loo. No one else seems to know what it is or even has noticed it. I didn't the first few nights, but now that I've had a couple times leaving the office after sunset, I see it. One person suggested that there are lots of lights on over there - bright ones, and this is the way it shows up at a distance. I should read up on light and how it curves.

Been watching Fringe and totally enjoying the JJ Abrams takes on love and betrayal. It is encouraging to me that drama can articulate these things - I can enjoy it vicariously in my little room here sitting on a scarf that I paid too much for at the little bazaar here. I went through my bags to see what was where and repacked - am also accumulating laundry for the fluff and fold - I'm so delighted that they have that here - I really don't like doing my own laundry - though I did it in Arlington and Kabul.

I have requested time off for a vacation - while I'd like to the mongolian horseback ride - I think they require more notice than just a couple months - though I guess I should look into it. I know that on some level, my mom and sisters will be upset that I'm not visiting them - but that may happen too - Mom can come see me in Dc if I'm there very long and I can easily take a weekend and go to Chicago. So I think I will try to go to Croatia - it looks lovely and Dubrovnik sounds nice - and the Dalmatian Coast...water but not just beach - things to do but also quiet time to sleep and read and relax. I think it will be lovely. Getting there is a pain but I can go through Dubai maybe and spend a few days there too. Who knows. Or through Heathrow and see Brenna.

Patty told me to write through my bluespots. I haven't had a fullfledged one today - and I'm totally convinced that they are hormonally driven. Arranging theings a bit more here helps too - it is good to settle in even though it is temporary quarters. My nap was nice and I'll go to bed shortly - I'll just turn off the light at 9 and hope that will work okay for rachel and martin.

As I walk around the camp - either to the dining facility, or the toilet, or the office, I do get noticed because there aren't that many women, much less civilians, on the base. However, many of the young US military can tell at a glance that I'm at least their mom's age...so I am rendered gender neutral and elicit a "hello ma'am" or just "ma'am." But the Italians, many of them also quite young, actually seem to look at me (at least some of them do). I appreciate the looks from the Italians -- I feel like I'm viable at least as some one to be checked out.