Today I was invited to celebrate the New Year (1389) with my local hosts and interpreters. A good time had by all. The celebration is pretty simple: we ate some delicious rice and lamb, some very small grilled chicken, potato, naan,  and meatballs that I'm pretty sure were made from ground beef. The sauce for the meatballs was different but tasted good. Better than the food I've been eating in the DFAC (Dining FACility) at least.

Of course, alcohol is a no-no so we drank Diet Pepsi.

The evening progressed with lively conversation around a bonfire of shipping pallets, followed by the Afghen men dancing. In slow, semi-spastic circles. With each other, more or less. Definite departure from the western norms. Apparently it's not OK for the women to dance with or in front of the men, so this is the alternative to keep the party hopping. But everyone seemed happy so I guess no harm no foul.

I was asking about New Year’s Resolutions, but they don't do that.

So there you have it.

New Year’s Party. Small talk. Good food. No coed dancing. No resolutions. No booze. No hangovers. In bed by 10.

That's all for now, until the next big bash.

/mike