Game Over!

That's it! Our military exercise is coming to an end. For us it means going home and enjoying our summer soon, somewhere safe in Canada. But for those 3000 soldiers that we met during this intense experience it means leaving their families behind, getting in a plane and moving their lives to one of the most dangerous places on earth for at least seven months.

Why would anyone choose that? I guess each military person going over would have a different answer. But if I had to guess, I would say because of passion. We all have beliefs that drive us to do whatever we do. Some are more motivated, some are more passive, but we all desire to do something that satisfies us.

Well, there was not one soldier who I talked to here that didn't believe in the cause. Fighting out there, or providing any kind of service or expertise to live up to Canadian values is a good reason to go, I guess.

I still can't make up my mind about this war, especially about the troops withdrawing next year. And that's not the point that I want to make here, because who cares what I think about it? But I do want to share the experiences I had the opportunity to live here as a journalist, as a student, as a person.

The military opened its door to us and for three weeks I felt like a kid in a candy store. I've learned so much about this world that I tried to avoid for so long and it was not as scary as I thought it would be, although I still think it is not for me. I understand it better and I am grateful for it. That's all.

I must register here how lucky I am to be part of this group. I enjoyed hanging out with every single person in our team, and I am extremely grateful for the level of professionalism and commitment of our instructors Jensen, Paul and Mike. Thank you Evan and Courtney for your great help and long hours. Tom and Sharon, thanks for putting up with us! And finally, a big thank you to all the 'kids' for making me laugh so much! Here they are: Bowman (my wonderful partner. Go GABO Go!), Jill, Jason, Teri, Justin, Chris and Helen.

I hope one day we can all meet again and laugh even more!!!!

Good luck to all the deployed soldiers out there!

This is for our friend Daniel, from the "American Crew". Thanks all of them for being so patient with us. we had a good time hanging out with you as well!!!

Laundry, the last thing to do before leaving; getting rid of the desrty dust!!! Here, Chris and Jill. 

C O M I N G  U P:  crazy stories from Las Vegas.

A group of journalists hit the sin city after three weeks without alcohol!

I would not miss it!!!   :)

The Embedded Experience

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!!!

: (

THIS BLOG WILL BE TEMPORARILY SHUT DOWN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!!!

Embedded With the Canadians!

Photos: Another day at the Office!!!

 
 

ATTENTION!!!!!

My partner and I are about to be embedded with the Canadian troops for 4 days in a military base just outside of one of the villages.

This means I won't have access to a computer out there and won't be blogging.

But I will write about this experience, hopefully Tuesday or Wednesday, when we return.

Blogging in 15 Minutes!

Things got pretty busy here since the exercise started and I have only 15 minutes to blog. Here are some pictures I've chosen to show a little bit about these two crazy last days...

The sun rising in the desert. Photo from outside our barracks. 

Doing some work with my work partner Chris. We have been "acting" as journalists from an Afghan

 TV station, so we can wander around the villages, but we have no access to the military compounds.

Our "Afghan TV station" crew.

During the first exercise day there was an attack just outside of the Canadian military base. Two soldiers were wounded (not for real, of course). But we, reporters around, had to run for our lives and hide behind cars, just like in real life.

The desert is so beautiful and reminds me a lot of the Afghanistan mountains that I've seen on TV. That's helps the training to be even more realistic.

Lunch time! When we are out there we have the option of eating military packaged food, also known as rations. It's basically a packet filled with small treats and other food that doesn't need to be cooked. Not bad!

This is the a hotel right in the middle of one of the villages. It is actually open to the public. A night here costs US$70.