DAY 20: Things that go Boom!

Thu, 15 September 2005

Woke up this morning to an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) announcement of a pending explosion. The EOD folks regularly blow up mines around the base that were left by the Soviets in their war with Afghanistan in the 1980s (1979-89). The explosion occurs on the other side of the base – about 1 mile away. Yet, my bed and room rocks as if it’s an earthquake – wow! Several of these explosions occur, then an announcement comes indicating that EOD is done for the day. When we first arrived and heard these booms, many of us weren’t sure if we were being attacked or if it was a scheduled event. The nervousness of the first few days has given away to a guarded anticipation of these events. One of those things that completely changes your paradigm of what a “normal day” is.