[Heie]

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Last edited by Heie; 04-04-2013 at 04:46 AM. Reason: CONTENT REMOVED

[bigted]

Awesome post and thank you so much for what you do. It really puts into perspective the conditions you work and live in and the needs of the locals as well. Our media paints a very different picture.
Have a fabulous time in New Zealand, you've certainly earned it. As always I look forward to the next installment (whenever you have time).
Take care,
bigted

[JinDesu]

Thanks again for your update, and enjoy your R&R!

Fantastic shots of the classroom life.. very candid and very surreal, in a way. And #13 is a great shot, with the kid sticking his tongue out on the left side.

Gotta admit - those chairs don't look so different from the ones I had in high school

And now you have a k-30!? Whoah! For #20 - I agree with you, even though it's slightly out of focus, that adds to the image in my opinion. Looks a bit like an older film shot. The high contrast shots are fantastic for portraits. #25 looks so forlorn, I hope he brightened up as you gave him the candy. That shot and the school seems to give such a wide range of atmosphere for the region... young and willing to learn, but a bit worn and tired of the combat.

[Fries]

That photo of the 'fighting boy' is really, really good! Enjoy your R&R.

[usn ret]

Alex, so glad that the supplies distribution went well. Winning the children is where the real battle is fought and that looks like one battle that went extremely well. I suppose that I am not the only one that thinks/believes you could put together a great photo-journalism piece with the updates and the narration that accompanies each update. Alex, I really appreciate these unfiltered reports and the time it takes to post them. Be safe and enjoy the NZ R&R....Cliff

[crewl1]

Thanks for the update Heie, as always top notch.
I really like the shots of the kids looking through the windows at the school.
Have a great time in NZ!

[AussieTrev]

Love the shots. This shows a very positive prospective of your work. Well done.

[Rondec]

I always enjoy the combination of story, photo journalism and insight your posts bring to the forum. Thank you for sharing, Alex, and have fun in New Zealand!

[smf]

Thanks very much for the update, and I hope you have superb R&R, safe travel and safe completion of your tour of duty.
Congratulations on the very good photography — especially frames 2, 3 , 7, 10 11, 13 — and congratulations to the solider who shot frame 4 at your request.
As others have commented, you have the makings of an excellent photo exhibit, book or other presentation. And the soldiers to whom you may be able to provide images of themselves should cherish those.
It was a privilege to be able to contribute some pens and notebooks. If regulations and other soldiers will allow you to provide their contact information here at Pentaxforums, potential donors might connect with such soldiers whose duties allow them to distribute items to Afghan children.
Again, warmest wishes for your R&R and thereafter.

[pickles]

Heie,...Once again, G'Day mate, from Australia.
Geez Heie, you just seem to be getting better & better at portraying what is REALLY trying to be achieved by the Allied forces in Afghanistan....absolutely brilliant.
Has any of your stuff been used by the Army to use in articles back home etc?
As usual mate....bloody brilliant.
Thanks, & keep safe.
Cheers, Pickles.

[Alliecat]

Great as always. Here's your kids'-book material My favourite, #11. Remarkable how simple little items we'd not think twice about, & pass by at the dollar store, can brighten the day for these kids who have so little.
I was curious whether you've encountered any schools that allow girls... not sure what the state of that issue is where you are. But I found it striking that all the kids in the pictures are boys, such a contrast to what we might be 'used' to seeing. I understand there are people working toward schooling for girls; just wondered if you had encountered any examples.
#17... augh! poor dusty camera!!
Thanks for a little something to brighten what has been a very bad week for me.
Have a wonderful time in NZ!!!

[Heie]

Hey all!

Just a quick update. I made it to Kuwait where I await my final flight in New Zealand. It's so good to wear civilian clothing once again. And after 8 months of going commando, I must say....wow I forgot how great underwear feels...the support is incredible! lol...

Just wanted to share the report I sent to the soldier I share an office with:

Specialist W:



I tried to find CPT C on Facebook, but failed in that endeavor. There were a few choices to search through that popped up (none of which were him), and one with a very, very cute girlfriend named Melissa. More to follow on OBJECTIVE MELISSA upon the execution of further photographic and electronic reconnaissance.



Implied Task: Forward the following transmission to your OIC and HHC elements.


I finally made it to Kuwait after battle royaling my way to the front of the Space Available list, and then when I was told that a general came and bumped me, I was given two options - take the next bird or hang from the rafters above all the seated passengers in a "Flexed Arm Hang" (aka pull up with chin above the bar), and upon my failure to maintain the position, I would be jettisoned from the cargo hold. I made it two hours and found myself defenestrated into Iran and had to low crawl until I reached the Persian Gulf. I then proceeded to swim, until I reached the almighty Kuwait City, but not before battling seventeen groups of sharks along the way. I had my left arm and right leg amputated, however after punching through the shark's skin I found its stomach and obtained my dismembered appendages. After skinning the shark, I hastily made my own thread to which I surgically re-attached my own arm, which has retained full functionality with no ill effect and a scar that somewhat resembles the letters "B A M F" - all while underwater on the same breath of air. Upon resurfacing to land, I used my Arabic skills to hitchhike and get smuggled onto the American base by an elderly grandmother who spoke no Arabic.


Now that my journey here has been completed, my itinerary for follow-on mission essential flights is as follows. Prepare to copy:


Flight: # Nov
Leave Start Date: # Nov
Depart NZ: # Nov

Tentative Arrival to FOB X: # Nov


Also, for your Situational Awareness - there is an incredibly high concentration of fobbits who think they are in a combat zone here in Kuwait.


Ginger Spice, out.

-Heie

[Alliecat]

I finally made it to Kuwait after battle royaling my way to the front of the Space Available list, and then when I was told that a general came and bumped me, I was given two options - take the next bird or hang from the rafters above all the seated passengers in a "Flexed Arm Hang" (aka pull up with chin above the bar), and upon my failure to maintain the position, I would be jettisoned from the cargo hold. I made it two hours and found myself defenestrated into Iran and had to low crawl until I reached the Persian Gulf. I then proceeded to swim, until I reached the almighty Kuwait City, but not before battling seventeen groups of sharks along the way. I had my left arm and right leg amputated, however after punching through the shark's skin I found its stomach and obtained my dismembered appendages. After skinning the shark, I hastily made my own thread to which I surgically re-attached my own arm, which has retained full functionality with no ill effect and a scar that somewhat resembles the letters "B A M F" - all while underwater on the same breath of air. Upon resurfacing to land, I used my Arabic skills to hitchhike and get smuggled onto the American base by an elderly grandmother who spoke no Arabic.

I really look forward to this set of photos...
Perhaps you should add adventure tales to your writing...

[Heie]

Very Quick Update: After 6 days, 7 flights, and 5 countries, I have finally made it to New Zealand.

Also, took the cameras seakayaking today on the Milford Sound, and had water intrusion with the K-5/DA*60-250. The battery grip contacts rubber cover had fallen out. I didn't realize this until after my camera wouldn't turn on mid-kayaking. Needless to say, I was furious.

Tomorrow we start a 60km hike (look up the Kepler Track), so I will give an update when we return in 4ish days on the status of the cameras.

-Heie

Edit: Kepler was AWESOME...update to follow with image

[Alliecat]

Oh bummer. After all they've been through in Afghanistan.
I've heard of people packing cameras in rice to absorb moisture...

I googled "my camera got wet" & there are a variety of suggestions. Here are a couple:
How to Save a Digital Camera from Water Damage

Digital Camera Water Damage - What To Do If Your Camera Gets Wet

I won't ask what you were doing taking pictures in the shower but I sure hope you get your gear dried out & it turns out ok. Camera damage can sure spoil a holiday. My best lens fell out of a badly designed bag in Sept. & that was not a nice end to a trip! (Got it repaired, but, $$$....)
Good luck!