I am back! And alive!
After a bit of uncertainty about blogging during the exercise, we are good to go!
Well, I will tell you about the most exciting part: the embedding experience.
My partner Chris and I were dropped off in Camp Nathan Smith during the day last Friday. I didn't really had a clear idea on what it would be like over there, since the others journalists who went first were still embedded. We replace them and for five days we lived like any other soldier in the military. We slept in huge tents, eat base food, went out on patrols with all the military gears and had limited showers. Actually my partner didn't shower at all! It was fun! We worked hard and produced some fun stories. But since we were with the Provincial Reconstruction Team, we didn't experience anything too dramatic – like shootings or bombs blowing up. The most exciting thing was a rocket attack while we were in a meeting one evening in the base. Immediately we all had to run, get our protection gears – helmet, bullet proof vest, goggles and gloves – and find the nearest bunker. Although this is all part of the exercise, it felt real!
Well, enough of talking... Here are some pictures illustrating our experience while embedded. Have fun!!
A soldier works getting hot water for who knows what.
Don't have to say too much... Amazing sunrise at the Mojave Desert, California.
Part of our team with instructor and CBC reporter Paul Hunter minutes before we leave to be embedded. Chris and I went to the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and Teri and Justin were embedded in another base with the Combat team.
Smoke break. Cigarettes are really popular among soldiers. Many of them say they don't really smoke in the real world, but they do here. Some prefer to chew tobacco.
This soldier was super nice to us explaining how these vehicles work. He is only 23 years old and is going to Afghanistan for the second time. We spent hours outside of a village waiting to go in. Apparently it was not safe to bring civilians in. In the end of the day we turned around and went back to the base.
The view from the driver's seat of a LAV, a Light Armored Vehicle, which is basically a tank with wheels. These vehicles are everywhere. The ride off road is extremely bumpy, but fun! We are not allowed to take pictures inside the vehicles.
Me working.
Me getting a “tour” of the LAV. Super cool!
This poster in the food tent teaches soldiers basic language phrases in Pashto, a language spoken in Afghanistan.
A soldier guards the area from the top of a LAV.
A creative shot by Chris Bowman.
A soldier getting out of the LAV in the middle of the desert.
Our colleagues Jill, Helen and instructor Mike playing Afghan media. We all played both Afghan and Canadian media during this exercise.
Essential military tool: baby wipers. But I don't think soldiers would use the princess' one. Just princess Gabi. Really, it was extremely useful!
When marching into the city, embedded journalists are protected by soldiers. We have to stay on line and in case of an attack one soldier – previously appointed – will take care of us.
Having some fun with Chris' sun glasses.
Me posing in front of a LAV, pretending I am a big s*** camera person!
Canadian media (Chris and I) meet Afghan media (Mike) during an inauguration ceremony. The Friendship Road was built by Afghans with the support of the Canadians military.
Girl's dormitory. We all sleept in big tents, some with as many as 200 beds.
More guarding.
Soldiers lined up, marching out of the city.
Canadians having a humanitarian day. Here they are making a donation of bandages to a local hospital, part of the reconstruction team's job.
This was Chris' shot. We used to admire these beautiful sunsets everyday.
The ROCK (Representative Of Canada in Kandahar) inaugurating the road with Afghan authorities. We are not allowed to publish any photos of actors because many of them are real Afghan people who fear for their safety and the safety of their families back in Afghanistan. But they are all over the villages and live there for the whole exercise playing
different characters.
More media meeting at the ribbon cutting ceremony.
After five days, we leave the Camp Nathan Smith and go back to the base to become Afghan media again. It was a great time being embedded. Finally Chris decides to have a shower!!! :)
Back in our newsroom, a warm reception from our colleagues. Great group!!!
GOOD BYE MILITARY!
I took a million pictures from the Mojave Desert. Here are a couple just to show how beautiful this part of the world is.
From our room in Vegas and inside our hotel. The girls stayed at The Mirage and the boys (all in one room !!!!) at Treasure Island.
One of our instructors Mike teaching me some moves. He is a great dancer! 
Nice dinner and good conversation with Helen about the situation in Afghanistan. No, we could not find a solution... but we tried!
Justin about to become the richest person in the group that night. He won $100 and we got free $2 beers from him!
Part of the gang doing tequila shots. 
Safari enjoying his $50 mega drink! Only in Vegas! Only Safari!
Cool band!
