Progress

So it looks like another several days have passed since my last post, when it feels like I updated this blog only yesterday. I can't say often enough how the days just blend together here. Anyway, I have some pictures that should be ready to post in the next day or two. In the meantime, I have another 'deep thoughts' (remember SNL Stuart Smiley?) rant to share.

Gordon (Team UK) and I were talking the other day about the whole customs/importing process, as it has become a real pain dealing with some of the Afghan Ministries and their processes for completing simple paperwork. We wondered if it was like this for the U.S. and U.K. back in the day (i.e. 200 years ago); because this country runs like things 200 years ago (i.e. still use donkey and wheelbarrow for transport, very limited computer access).

We decided the major difference was that for the U.S./U.K., there wasn't anything better out there back in the day. Our countries made slow and steady progress and evolved as technology and information became available. In Afghanistan, you're trying to make that 200 year evolution all at once. So when you think about it, we've probably made 100 years of progress in the 8 years or so U.S. and international forces have been here. Not too bad, but still a ways to go. And that (the other 100 years of progress) is why assistance is needed here for several more years. 200 years is a long time; generations of people have to change, which can't be done overnight.

That was a pretty big epiphany (spelling?) for me. And that's just in relation to simple paperwork processing (i.e. we have to get stamps and signatures from about 10 different people in a sequential order to process customs paperwork - if one person is out of the office, the whole process comes to a halt and awaits his return; no concept of delegating authority, let alone automation). So then you relate that to everything else - tribal relations, security, transportation, living conditions, health and sanitary, etc, etc. Again, we know 'how hard it was for grandma to use a computer' or 'how fascinating Skype is for mom', now try to introduce countless significant changes in every facet of life for every generation all at once. I think it'll take some time to say the least.