Kyber Rifles - Part 2

Hello everyone! I have to sincerely apologize for the lack of blogs. We have had lots on the go and I have not been as diligent as I should have been....

Here are some additional photo's from the Kyber Rifles. The grounds were quite lavish with all types of exotic birds wandering around or in an enclosure. The picture of the large tree with the cage around it was full of parakeets, budgies, etc. You can also see the tree has chains and locks on it. The explanation is written on a sign which states:

"I am under arrest. One fine evening British officer after drinking heavily thought that I was moving from my original place. Then ordered Mess Sergeant to arrest me. Since then I am under arrest."

As I reflect back on this particular trip, I realize how fortunate I am to have had such an experience. When I mention this trip to the various folks I work with, they are all very envious. The opportunity just does not present itself that often. In fact, my predecessor had tried numerous times to make the same trip, however was not successful...truly an incredible experience in a very historic part of the world.

Stay tuned for more blogs...

Rememberance Day

Of all the Remembrance Days I have attended, this had to be one of the most special. You can see from the pictures that we had a large crowd of people who paid tribute to the fallen. It was very touching to have so many people from the international community as well as the head of the Afghan Army in attendance.

The Afghan General spoke about how Canada's history is a mere blink of an eye by Afghan standards. Canada is such a young country and has never experienced the horrors of a war on it's soil. The General went on to say that all Afghans really want...is to grow old. Decades of armed conflict have robbed his country of wisdom and experience. Peace and prosperity is something that Canada enjoys, and although we have not experienced armed conflict at home, we are prepared to send our young men and women to a foreign land, to help others achieve what we have.

I was extremely moved when the names of the fallen Canadian soldiers were read out....it really struck me as I listened to the names being read out one by one. Young men and woman who were so far away from home and gave the ultimate sacrifice so others can have what we have...

Kyber Rifles

Here are some pictures of the Kyber Rifles Officer's Mess. It was awkward to take pictures because I was working and meeting with the various folks. I wanted so much to play "tourist" and wander around exploring and taking piles of pictures....so, I snapped pictures when I could and hopefully it gives you a sense of what I experienced.

The Kyber Rifles base is in a walled compound surrounded by very heavy security. Once inside the compound, you are immediately struck by the difference from the surrounding area. The grounds are well maintained and very lush. There are tropical birds roaming the grounds and flowers everywhere. You can see the British influence on the buildings and the way the grounds are layed out.

When we walked into the Officer's Mess, there was a group of performers playing traditional music welcoming us. We were then escorted into the main lounge, which unfortunately I only was able to get one quick picture of. The picture is of the area above the fireplace mantle with several portraits and a silver stag. I was literally being guided by the arm with two servants escorting me everywhere...

In the lounge we had a formal meeting, followed by the same routine of the servants grabbing me by the arms (they focused on me because I was in uniform and my rank) and escorting me to the dining room, which was simply splendid. Once again I wanted so much to take a picture of the table settings with silver everywhere, not too mention all the incredible food set out....but, the Pakistani officers were being so gracious I thought it would be rude to pull out a camera.

After the lunch we were escorted to the museum area of the mess. There were several hallways and rooms lined with photo's, plaques, awards and memrobilia from various visitors. Each country has been provided an area of wall space and the one picture shows Canada's wall. I had to chuckle because one of the pictures on the Canada wall is of RCMP Commissioner Simmmonds who must have visited at one time and left a signed picture of himself. Commissioner Simmonds was the one who presented me my badge during my graduation ceremony in 1982 at Regina.

I will do an additional blog on the Kyber Rifles as I have some great pictures of outside the Mess and the grounds.

Torkham Gate

I had an incredible oppourtunity the other day to travel out to the Afghanistan - Pakistan border. The crossing is called "Torkham Gate" and is located at the famous Kyber Pass. I was very fortunate to be part of a group from the Embassy that travelled to the border to take part in meetings with the Afghan and Pakistani border officials. The whole idea is to start dialouge and improve infrastructure at the border.

This is really the only legal border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan and over 1000 trucks a day cross at this particular point. There is one dirt road over one bridge. It takes about 3 days for a truck to actually cross the border, once you arrive, wait in line and do the various paperwork . Adding to the challenges is that this is all part of the "Durand Line" which of course is still contested by both sides.

We flew from Kabul by helicopter and then had a road move to get to the border. Once at the border, the security was very heavy as both sides wanted to ensure nothing happened and then added on top of it all was the force protection from the coalition...lots of guns and rockets everywhere.

Unknown to us, they had shut the border completely down for our visit. The trucks and people were backed up forever. You are not allowed to take a personal vehicle across the border and everything has to be carried across. In the pictures you can see young boys pushing hand carts full of goods. These boys work at the border and ferry people and goods back and forth. They even move people who cannot walk the kilometre between the border points.

Hospitality in this part of the world is a taken very seriously and we were treated to some incredible food throughout the day. I will do a couple additional posts on the trip as I have some more great photo's to share as well as the best part of the trip....having lunch in Pakistan at the Kyber Rifle's Officer's Mess. I couldn't believe it, driving through the kyber Pass to have lunch at the Officer's Mess....crazy.