Goings on...

It's been a busy week here. I have been packing up seacans for the ESU to ship back to KAF. We are pulling out of this camp in the near future and all our assets have got to go. However as it stands right now there is no American fire protection to speak of so those assets and us firefighter must stay here as a by product.

However when the yanks to get it all worked out it will be their bag. If there is one thing I can say about the yanks system of procurement it is awesome. They want something, they by it. As for us it's a convoluted bidding process that is slowly being changed. For instance they wanted a Crash truck for this camp, they ordered it and it should be here in the next few months.

The last 3 days have been pretty much No Days since it was raining each day. Today it has finally cleared up and more inventory of tools has been taking place and unpacking of American fire extinguishers.

I also got myself a nice carpet. It's reminds me of Jamaica because bartering is the way to go about things here. It's almost an insult here if you don't. The Americans DO NOT barter and pay face value for everything. DUMB! The other thing too is that the locals have a "local price" and a "coalition price". The guy wanted $80 American for it but I said $50 and he told me $70, so I came back with $50 again, he then said $60 and I said $55 and he said ok. Turns out I only have $54, which he still gladly took. Makes me wonder what the local price is.

In terms of profit, the make a lot! A carton of Haji smokes go for $6, the guys buys them at $2. However the other firefighter knows what they are worth so he pays only $3 for them. Well the yanks, they don't care so they pay the full amount. Craziness!

Myself and the other Firefighter have decided it is time to stop going to the American gym because it is a mess and they simply do not have the ability to put anything back in order. You spend at least 20 minutes in total just looking for what you need or waiting for a machine. Not to mention the locals like to go in the gym and sit on the benches or machines and do nothing but stare at us. I have to admit us as Canadian do keeps our gyms in order. Plus there are too many muscle heads in their gyms. Speaking of gyms, its time for me to go anyways.

So that's it for now.

Take care all!

Lyle