Outside the Wire

Here are some pictures from my little ride outside the wire yesterday. These folks have next to nothing, but I still saw multiple motorcycle shops, beauty shops, homes made from the back end of trucks, all sorts of stuff. I didn't get pictures of everything, becuase the humvee windows are small and I got a lot of the sides of trucks and bushes instead of what I wanted. Oh well. Lots of kids waving and giving a thumbs up, too. Anyway, it was an interesting trip. Just a few hours and we were back. All in all,I'd say it was pretty easy for my first expedition outside the wire. There was an interesting contrast between the town and some of the new construction going on right outside. I tried get some pictures of that, but they didn't come out. Some of that new construction looks like it could be back home!

There was a lot of little stands just before the gate into BAF. Juice and food, all kinds of stuff both legal and illegal.
 

I tried to get photos of some shops, but we were moving a little quick and my camera was acting up.
 

I tried to get photos of some shops, but we were moving a little quick and my camera was acting up.
 

One of the interesting things I noticed was the amount of beds outside. Seems like a decent idea, altough I think I'll sleep indoors. The posters all over are for the elections in a few weeks.
 

A few of the homes have been fixed up, even if they are still mud.
 

Some people are building new stuff and living at the work site.
 

Some of the mud buildings have people living in them.
 

This is an old fortress, one of the many mud construction ruins all over the place.
 

Outside the Wire

Here are some pictures from my little ride outside the wire day before yesterday. These folks have next to nothing, but I still saw multiple motorcycle shops, beauty shops, homes made from the back end of trucks, all sorts of stuff. I didn't get pictures of everything, becuase the humvee windows are small and I got a lot of the sides of trucks and bushes instead of what I wanted. Oh well. Lots of kids waving and giving a thumbs up, too. Anyway, it was an interesting trip. Just a few hours and we were back. All in all, I'd say it was pretty easy for my first expedition outside the wire. There was an interesting contrast between the town and some of the new construction going on right outside. I tried get some pictures of that, but they didn't come out. Some of that new construction looks like it could be back home!