DAY 50: Taliban Buildings

Sat, 15 October 2005

Taliban’s Last Stand
Known as “TLS”, the Taliban’s Last Stand building is utilized by the Army now. But it is so-named because this is where the Taliban was holed up before capitulating to American forces. Inside, lots of bullet holes in the walls and ceilings to indicate a tense firefight. A large hole in the middle of the building was created by a bomb – it has since been converted to a courtyard. What was once the enemy’s central hub is now our own – an interesting turn of events for this historical building.

Taliban Tavern
The tavern is actually a real Afghan building with walls two feet thick. Surrounding the building is an orchard of trees in neat columns – non-fruit bearing, but apparently of some value to the Afghans. As our Air Force Village grew over the past four years, it expanded to incorporate this building and the orchard – some of the few remaining trees on this base. The building was converted into a tavern-style place to socialize, drink coffee and smoke. In the interior, images and dedication to the events of 9/11 remind us all why we are here. Over the entire wall, folks from past rotations have scrawled their names and units. I add my name to the wall just above the homage to the World Trade Center towers and enjoy one last view from this little tavern in our village.