Never heard of this place till now!!!

2005-01-14T15:38:00.000+04:30

The one thing that I did not understand about Toshkent or Uzbekistan in general was the fact that it is a predominatly Muslim country but there were TONS of Christmas decorations and Santa Clause figures all over the city. We also got a chance to see a theatrical show of some sort of "Winter Wonderland". There was a Sultan, an Arab Princess, Santa Clause, gift giving, an Evil Witch Lady and many other characters. The whole thing was geared towards children being that in the audience was about 300 kids with their mothers. The play was in Russian but watching it long enough we got the jist of it and were even able to laugh when something funny happened. I was glad that we were able to stumle into that play and see things that not your normal tourist sees.

2005-01-14T15:37:00.000+04:30

Toshkent has a subway system and an electric train system in the city. It was a fun city to visit.

2005-01-14T15:35:00.001+04:30

and another...

2005-01-14T15:35:00.000+04:30

This battle scene was extremely interesting. People's faces are being tore off and blood is everywhere. The painting was probably about 9 feet long and was kept me staring for quite some time.

2005-01-14T15:32:00.000+04:30

Dave with the robe. Again, I have to emphasize that this was in the back room of the museum. These pieces of art were not seem by the normal person. I felt special. Hahahahaha.

2005-01-14T15:31:00.000+04:30

While walking around the museum this lady that worked there took us by the hand and into this back room that was of limits and gave us a chance to wear of robe from one of the Sultans. These robes were in cases outside in the display area. However she thought to be nice to us and let us wear it.

2005-01-14T15:29:00.000+04:30

Don't ask me what is up with my face but I am looking nutty here.

2005-01-14T15:28:00.000+04:30

Dave looking posing next to his midget warrior.

2005-01-14T15:27:00.000+04:30

One of the paintings on the wall of the museum.

2005-01-14T15:26:00.000+04:30

The next time I take a trip to Toshkent I will be making an additional trip to Samurkand where these HUGE mosques. They say the whole city of Samurkand is a museum.

2005-01-14T15:24:00.001+04:30

Dave surprising me with this picture.

2005-01-14T15:24:00.000+04:30

Some of the art....

2005-01-14T15:23:00.000+04:30

The chandalier that was in the center.

2005-01-14T15:22:00.000+04:30

The writting on the center of this ceiling says the following, "The Work Which Can't Be Done By Hundred Thousand Cavalries Can Be Done By One Correct Arrrangement." The whole dome was painted and sculpted by hand. it was an awesome site.

2005-01-14T15:18:00.001+04:30

Dave and the Sultans of yesteryear.

2005-01-14T15:18:00.000+04:30

One of the Sultans of Uzbek. we found it funny how he died. Please read on.

2005-01-14T15:17:00.000+04:30

This center room in the museum was beautiful. At the top you will see the begining of a HUGE chandalier.

2005-01-14T15:14:00.000+04:30

Dave posing for his lil lady....see how he isn't smiling like the night before? Hahahahaha.

2005-01-14T15:12:00.000+04:30

This is the History of Uzbekistan Museum.

2005-01-14T15:10:00.000+04:30

This used to be a Sheraton Hotel across the street. We stayed here when we first came into the country a few months ago. It apparently lost the Sheraton name and is looking for a new name. BTW, the service at the Dedemon is much better.

2005-01-14T15:08:00.000+04:30

This is the hotel that we stayed at. The Dedemon in Toshkent.

2005-01-14T15:07:00.000+04:30

Sporting my new zapatos and leaving the bazar.

2005-01-14T15:06:00.001+04:30

Myself and our Russian friend, Raslam, looking for Dave since he decided to just walk in an oppisite direction.

2005-01-14T15:06:00.000+04:30

Under those blue unbrellas we had some of the best lamb-kabobs. Three of ate like kings for 5 bucks!!! Great city.

2005-01-14T15:04:00.000+04:30

We were taken to this bazar by another of our "friends", Raslam, from the hotel. I was looking for shoes because all I had was my combat boots. I certainly couldn't go to a bar or club in combat boots!!!

2005-01-14T15:02:00.000+04:30

The bouncer (I can't remember his name) and our "friend/driver" Daniel. Daniel was the hotel driver but we pretty much just took him out and he hung out with us for a couple nights.

2005-01-14T15:00:00.000+04:30

This monster of a man took care of Dave when he had to get fresh air. All the people were really nice to us in Toshkent. Even this huge bouncer of a man.

2005-01-14T14:59:00.000+04:30

Dave feeling really good after quite a few drinks at the FM Bar. I haven't seen Dave smile this big EVER. I am sure he was smiling like this when he got married a couple months ago.

2005-01-14T14:57:00.000+04:30

As nice the bar was. The restrooms were sorta horrible. Hahahahaha.

2005-01-14T14:56:00.000+04:30

After eating we went to a fine establishment called the "FM Bar". The restroom was upstairs from where this picture was taken.

2005-01-14T14:52:00.000+04:30

My partner for the trip. Dave. Dave thought he wasn't going to have a wild time but turned out to have one of the wildest times. This is him after a bottle of the finest Uzbek wines.

2005-01-14T14:51:00.000+04:30

This is me at a restaurant called Caravan's. Probably some of the best food around the city. The funny thing about all the restaurants and clubs in Toshkent is that you can not tell it is a restaurant from the streets. It looks like an abondoned building till you open the doors and then you enter the actual restaurant. Again, it is a great city.

BACK AND BETTER, mmmm, Well just back...not so much better.

2005-01-14T14:49:00.000+04:30

I am back in my lil home called Qalat. Thank you to all who emailed me and msg'd me on yahoo with your concern for me. I had to take a trip and then went on a lil R&R (Rest and Relxation( break in the great city of Toshkent, Uzbekistan. I don't have many pics of Toshkent due to technical difficulties.

2004-12-30T21:25:00.000+04:30

Mak gets a little crazy at times. Mostly when Rodger tries to build things without him. Hahahahahaha.

2004-12-30T21:24:00.001+04:30

I don't think Rodger thought he was going to be doing this type of work when he decided to come out to Afghanistan.

2004-12-30T21:24:00.000+04:30

Some more construction in the tent. Rodger wanted some privacy so we let him have his own lil "apartment". Walls are up. Ceiling is next.

2004-12-30T21:22:00.000+04:30

Thats me freezing my you know whats off!!! I was told that going into that water I have become part of the polar bear swimmers club.

2004-12-30T21:21:00.000+04:30

Who do you think ran that hose to the back of the lair? Mmmmmm. Take a guess.

2004-12-30T21:20:00.001+04:30

Poyer and another guy seeing if the pump is pumping the water out. NOT.

2004-12-30T21:20:00.000+04:30

Lets move the pump to the bottom of the hole. Maybe that will work. NOT.

2004-12-30T21:18:00.001+04:30

They call him Adam "One Pull" Butler...

2004-12-30T21:18:00.000+04:30

Still trying to get this thing working.

2004-12-30T21:17:00.001+04:30

Tim showing us his gangbang ways...

2004-12-30T21:17:00.000+04:30

This is me acting cool. Cool as ICE.

2004-12-30T21:16:00.000+04:30

Anyone who knows Richard knows that if he has a camera in his hands he will take a picture of himself.

2004-12-30T21:15:00.000+04:30

How many dudes does it take to get a pump going? Apparently all of us.

2004-12-30T21:14:00.000+04:30

The Native American, Poyer, showing us how to hook up a pump.

2004-12-30T21:13:00.001+04:30

Another picture of the flooded lair.

2004-12-30T21:13:00.000+04:30

There is Adam. Mak trying to feed Adam a MUD pie.

2004-12-30T21:12:00.000+04:30

Mak wearing the galoshes that I scored for us. Currently we only have ONE pair for the three of us.

2004-12-30T21:11:00.000+04:30

MUD!!! Yes we have MUD. Adam (not shown) almost got the truck stuck in the MUD. Notice that our feet sink no matter where we go.

2004-12-30T21:10:00.000+04:30

This pool is on the backside of the lair. Pay attention because someone had to walk in this freezing water to run a hose to the pump.

2004-12-30T21:01:00.000+04:30

That mud is no joke. You step in it and sink.

2004-12-30T21:00:00.000+04:30

So what do we do after dinner for fun? We go to the mortars underground lair and attempt to pump the water out from inside the lair. This is what four days of rain does to a unfinished project.

2004-12-30T20:57:00.001+04:30

Rodger, go ahead and tell Santa what you want for Christmas!!!

2004-12-30T20:57:00.000+04:30

The guys posing with the command colors. How cool are we?

2004-12-30T20:55:00.000+04:30

How are food is served to us on a normal basis. We don't eat like we did on Christmas all the time. Is that what you people thought? Hahahahaha.

2004-12-30T20:54:00.000+04:30

The star of the website, Mak showing us how the mud just rolls into the DFAC (Dining Facility). How great is that?

2004-12-30T20:46:00.000+04:30

Mister Mak.

2004-12-30T20:43:00.000+04:30

Mak trying to hit me with a snowball. Today we had a killer snowball fight. I think the whole camp was against US (civilians) and the Mortar Platoon.

2004-12-30T20:39:00.000+04:30

This is my boyeee from Da Queen City, aka Cincinnati. Rodger has been trying to beat me in the beard growing area. However, I don't think that he can compare. What do you all think?

2004-12-30T19:41:00.000+04:30

Another of Mak and I. Damn its cold!!!

2004-12-30T19:40:00.000+04:30

Mak and Rodger...doing there thing.

2004-12-30T19:39:00.000+04:30

Mak and I standing in front of our work.

2004-12-30T19:33:00.000+04:30

This is our antenna now. We had to block the winds that come at night.

2004-12-30T19:31:00.000+04:30

Our trusty generators. Thanks to Mak's maintenence on them they have not failed on us.

2004-12-30T19:17:00.000+04:30

That'll do it...that will kill your signal to the satellite. Btw, you like the tripod that we built to stabalize the feed horn from the wind? I thought it was a good idea. It works that is what counts.

2004-12-30T19:15:00.000+04:30

All of a sudden my link to the world went down in the morning. I didn't know what it was. I looked at my antenna and this is what I saw.

2004-12-30T18:58:00.000+04:30

Who are the ones that are sacraficing? The Service Men and Women that do this everyday.

2004-12-30T18:57:00.000+04:30

Closer shot of the same plateau.

2004-12-30T18:52:00.000+04:30

It dawned on me that there were no snow pictures on my blog. So here is the first. If you look at my archives you can see this same plateau without snow.

You Have To Read This...

2004-12-28T23:44:00.000+04:30

I think this is by far some of the simplest thinking but yet best wording I have seen in a long time.

50K And Counting...

2004-12-28T23:02:00.000+04:30

How is it that Diego Garcia was left out of the turmoil? I am glad that there weren't casulties there because of the US citizens there. However, you have to ask yourself, how were they able to prepare or avoid the mass caos that other countries weren't able to. Did we have knowledge that the waves were coming and not let other countries know? I am sure we could have warned the eastern coast of Africa in time. We have the technology to tell where and when they will hit. At least we have much better technology then the countries that were divastated but the disaster.

Did we let anyone know what was about to happen? Or did we sit back and watch it happen? Maybe we didn't know and Diego Garcia and all those US citizens were spared by the hand of a higher being. Who knows? Not me.

50,000 people so far have been counted as dead so far.

Well DUH!!! Gay Penguins...

2004-12-27T01:41:00.000+04:30

This goes to prove that you are a product of your environment.

Doesn't this happen when any species is put into captivity with a select population?

Haven't scientist ever heard of Bubbah at the State Penitentiary?

Armenian Revolution Stopped By A "Natural" Disaster?

2004-12-27T01:14:00.000+04:30

In conversation of conspiracy theories it was brought to my attention that it is some people beliefs that on Dec 10 1988 the huge earthquake that struck Armenia was created by "foreign countries" in order to stop the revolution that was occurring there. Has anyone else heard of this? If so, can you send me a link on it? I have read about the Armenian struggles and the large earthquake but this is the first I have heard of someone using a seismic weapon.

Just thought I would toss that out for some thought...

2004-12-27T00:51:00.000+04:30

Look at this crazy earthquake. The huge waves are already hitting the shores of Africa's eastern coast. Diego Garcia, where we have military and things of this nature are right around the Maldive Islands. Hope all is well there. I haven't found a news story on them yet.

New Blogger for me.

2004-12-26T19:30:00.000+04:30

Go read this former SF (Special Forces) guy's view point on life. Thank you again for the e-mails. Thank you again to all who e-mailed. I keep getting more and more as the day goes by. Thanks.

2004-12-26T11:57:00.000+04:30

Rodger eating away at his meal. No MRE tonight, right Rodger.

2004-12-26T11:56:00.000+04:30

Mak enjoying his greens with his Christmas dinner.

2004-12-26T11:55:00.000+04:30

This was my Christmas dinner. I am very grateful for this food. When I sat down at my desk to eat. I started to think. There are people in the states that don't eat this well for the holidays. I am not even talking about the homeless and stuff like that but all the people that work hard and still can't provide their family with food like this. My parents always made sure that during the holidays we had plenty to eat. My parents had this 2 foot high piggy bank that throughout the year they used to put all "silver" change in it. Towards the holiday season we would take the plug out of the bottom and empty it out. This was the money that my mom would use to shop for the holidays. I might not have had the coolest RC car when I was a kid but I had an RC car. My parents always managed to make things happen. With discipline and perseverance my parents always managed to feed us, house us, and keep us smiling at the right times. Thanks Mom and Dad. Oh yeah, that is Strawberry Fanta that I was drinking!!!

2004-12-26T11:48:00.000+04:30

All the senior enlisted and officers take much pleasure in serving the food the everyone else.

2004-12-26T11:47:00.000+04:30

Where all the magic happened to get this food out here. I must point this out, the decorations to me make it look like we are celebrating Cinco de Mayo and not Christmas. I don't care though. It was a good time.

2004-12-26T11:46:00.000+04:30

Look at that pig.....it was damn good. It helps that one of the cooks is a "local bradah" from Oahu. He made this piggy Island Style. Came out finger lickin good.

2004-12-26T11:44:00.000+04:30

1SG Wilson serving up some good food for Christmas dinner.

2004-12-26T11:42:00.000+04:30

These are the gifts that my team mates out here got me. Rodger gave me this awesome wall clock that has a spinning wheel at the bottom of it. He said I would like it because of this wheel and it's "Trippy Affect". It does look like it is sucking you in if you stare at it for hours. I can't wait to get it home. The brass knuckles are from Tom. They are heavy as sh*t and would definetly knock someone out. Thank you guys. I hope you enjoy your gifts.

2004-12-26T11:40:00.000+04:30

Thats me with the Santa hat. I think I might have gained a couple of pounds this weekend.

2004-12-26T11:38:00.000+04:30

My team managed to get a care package from the command out here. In it I found this great invention. A toothbrush with toothpaste in the handle. I had never seen these before and always wonder why no one thought of the idea. I haven't used it yet but when I do I will make sure to keep you informed. This package came from W. Virginia. I was told that W. Virginia was the birth place of the toothbrush. Because if it was invented anywhere else it would have been called a TEETHbrush!!!!! Hahahahahahaa, that was a joke told out here by someone else other than me. I really do appreciate the toothbrush whoever sent this from W. Virginia.

2004-12-26T11:33:00.000+04:30

Some of the boxes that came on this convoy were mailed to "Any Soldier". The Signal Officer recieved on of these care packages and it had some awesome cigars in it. We smoked these and I have to say, they are great. I also want to thank the people that sent these packages from all over the United States to the Soldiers serving over seas during these times. These care packages that people put together were great. If a Soldier didn't recieve any personal mail he was given a couple of these care packages and in them were anything from cookies to toothbrushes to cigars. They really do make these guys happy out here. I saw it first hand.

2004-12-26T11:30:00.000+04:30

Smiles on the faces of Soldiers. Look at all those boxes.

2004-12-26T11:29:00.000+04:30

Not just mail...but they also brought back some laundry. I had the pleasure of having my laundry lost on a convoy. Try to deal with losing 6 pairs of socks and two pairs of pants out in the middle of no where. That wasn't all I lost in that bag but that was what hurt the most. Hopefully I can make a trip back to the rear to pick some clothes up soon.

2004-12-26T11:27:00.000+04:30

Boxes and bags and more boxes and bags of mail!!!

2004-12-26T11:26:00.000+04:30

This was the last mail convoy that was delivered to the fire base before Christmas. It wasn't scheduled till the last minute. You should have seen the looks of anticipation from the Soldiers around here. It was like watching my children at Christmas. I have to admit even I was anxioous to see if I got anything on Christmas Eve.

Thank you...

2004-12-26T11:17:00.000+04:30

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people that e-mailed me this past weekend and wished us out here a Merry Christmas. It was something that I did not expect. I never realized that so many people read this blog. If you have been here since the beginging then you would know that I mainly did this to share pictures with friends and family back in California. However, I think I have had many more responses from complete strangers versus my friends and family. I really thought my family and friends would follow along more with this, but I am glad that there are people out there reading this. Anyway, thank you for sending us warm wishes and I hope that everyone that reads this and sent me an e-mail or e-card or anything has the best New Year and had the best Christmas. You truly have the spirit that one should have this time of year. Thank you from everyone here at this fire base.

2004-12-25T01:56:00.000+04:30

To everyone who is reading this. Thank you for checking my blog on Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas and if I don't hear from you till then. Happy New Year as well.

CHE LIVES ON!!!

2004-12-24T14:32:00.000+04:30

What a day!!!

Today I wore my new shirt from my lil sis. Just in case you don't know the fierce face on my shirt it is the socialist revolutionary (sometimes referred to as Communist) guerilla leader Ernesto "Che" Guevara. I wore this shirt on purpose and plotted all day to get a picture with the 4 star General Schoomaker, Chief of Staff of the Army.

I honestly don't think that he had a clue who I was even though I introduced myself as, Saul Betancourt, with my normal Spanish pronunciation. He looked at my shirt and I think I caught a look of surprise in his eyes when I jumped in front of him to take this picture. I hardly had a chance to pose for the camera but my full intentions were to give my signature "hang loose" sign while taking the photo. However the personal security detachment was rushing the General off to his make his way out.

Enjoy the picture. I know I did.

General Schoomaker and El Comandante Guevara.

New Book...#1

2004-12-23T22:17:00.000+04:30

Starting to do some reading out here. I figure I lost many things in my life by not reading the books that some might encounter in the college atmosphere because I was in the military. I never searched for books. Now on the governments dime I am going to do some reading and see if I can understand what every other person that went to Berkeley (except my sis. just jokingQQQ) understands.

Starting off with Desolation Angels by jack Kerouac. I have heard people talk about him and I have read some things that refer to his writtings and lifestyle so I said, Why not? Lets read this.

Hopefully I will stick to this plan and as long as Amazon delivers to APO address I hope to be able to read some good quality books. I will keep you updated with things I read and possibly even my thoughts on it. When I am done with one book I will be taking suggestions. Although, I already have two more on my list.

So anyway, I guess I am writting about this so that I can sorta push myself along in the reading. I have always been lazy when it came to reading. Just ask my mom. When she had me reading her books as a child I would skip pages and try to get out of it. See mom, just have patience. I am reading now.

Talk to you all later...

"He was never even born"
- J.K.

Apollo Idol Prudence

2004-12-23T14:17:00.000+04:30

This is a great picture. My buddy Apollo sent it to me using this application called Hello from picasa. It is a nifty tool. Much thanks Apollo.

Go check out his website people. Great writtings and he even included me in them. Not that I knew about it till I went there. So be prepared to do some reading.

2004-12-23T10:45:00.000+04:30

Hey everyone. I have 6 GMail account to give away. If any of my readers want one please post a comment with an email address. First come first serve.

2004-12-22T19:05:00.000+04:30

Get a load of this notebook. Dennis of the mortars platoon owns this bad bear. It came with a polishing pad and carpet carrying case. Yes that is a Ferrari logo cause it is a ferrari notebook. i have never seen one so I was impressed. Powerbook users, till you can hang with this notebook I don't want to hear you talk about good looking notebooks.

2004-12-22T19:03:00.000+04:30

The kids playing with new toys.