Email from Manas Monday 2/15

Hi Terri,

I hope you slept well. I imagine you're on the treadmill right now.

All is well here at Manas. My luggage made it. I had dinner...not bad but I wasn't very hungry. I'm settled in. Except for O-5 and above, we are all staying in a huge tent. There is room for over 200 troops in this tent, but there are only about 100 or so in our group. I got a bottom bunk.

I just took a shower in what is pretty much a tent and container combined. It was heated and the water was warm. I was the first one to try it and as soon as I did a bunch of folks went over. Don't worry. The ladies have their own tent showers.

I will most likely be traveling to Bagram tomorrow and possibly even make it to Kabul. We'll see. I'm not in a hurry since my 179 clock started today.

I met a guy that will be going to my shop. He's a major with more seniority, so I probably won't be the OIC. Not worried about that one bit.

I'm sorry to hear Nathan is having a hard time with my absence. I hope you'll be able to strengthen your relationship with him and help fill the void.

I love you and will try to find a morale phone.

Some of the folks here are buying cell phones locally (AAFES) for about $80 and no monthly charge. All incoming calls are free and family back home just get a long distance plan ($10 monthly). When the troop here is ready to talk, he just texts a message and family knows to call. We'll have to consider this. I also know some folks get internet phone service (I think it might be thru skype also). It costs about $3-4 monthly.

I love you and miss you very much. I'm counting down the days... 180 and a wake up before I split kabul.

I love you.

Mario