Kabul to Kandahar to Kyrgyzstan to Italy

Well, we left Kabul early on Friday morning and were planning on going to Bagram but the weather was so nasty (as you can see in earlier photos and post) that we had to skip that base (sorry to the guys and gals at Bagram) and head straight to Kandahar. Kandahar is more of an international camp and base. Quite a large NATO contingent there. It made the show there different for us all since Americans made up probably only 50 percent of the audience, instead of close to 95 percent.

The other striking difference was the weather, which you can see from the photos. We left snow and temperatures in the 20’s and, after a relatively short flight, we were in temperatures close to 80 degrees — insane. The international crowd was great and for me. It was nice to be around some Dutch, Belgians and Brits - all very warm audiences back from the racing days.

We were only on the ground for about two hours there in Kandahar then back to the place to fly off to Kyrgyzstan. Now I for one had no clue where the hell that was so I was psyched to go and experience a place so far away.

Kyrgyzstan is all the way to China, essentially. In fact, it’s the next country over. I was left wondering how the hell in a matter of days I had gone from Austin to DC to Qatar to Iraq to Afghanistan then almost to China??? And I was thinking of doing some traveling alone in January? No thanks.

You might ask what the view is like out the windows? Well, it’s non-existent. These are cargo planes we’re flying on. For you fearful flyers — ahem, Doug Ulman … - you would not be happy because you cannot see anything. Period. Nothing. Nada. Niente. They are loud, rough and not too smooth in turbulence. The saving grace is that you know for sure we have the best pilots in the world flying these big things.

The landing into Kyrgyzstan was a story for all time. Kid Rock and I got word that the boys wanted us to sit in for landing. (At least I could see then.) The other thing I may as well mention is that we finally had some beers on this flight. For days we were in Muslim countries and alcohol is strictly prohibited, so we were “dry” environs. It was good to finally dip my beak into a cold one. I stopped by the cockpit to say hey to the fellas up front and find out that our captain for this particular flight had been at the Run for the Roses some years ago (see picture). They landed us nice and smooth in Manas Air Base, which compared to Kabul was a welcome relief. That was nuts.

The show in Manas was probably the most fun. Smaller venue, Air Force crowd, but totally pumped up. I think the pavilion was the key. We were packed in tight and the setting was intimate.

A young woman asked me — and Robin and Kid — to marry her. Classic. KR asked if they could just do the honeymoon. Ha!

The temperatures there were in the 20’s with snow everywhere. Bitter cold.

At this point I was just dead tired, so I crashed out. I knew the next day was going to be a grind. Seven hours to Italy and a show, and then three hours to Spain, then another show. Ouch!

More soon from Italy and Spain…

Speaking to the Coalition Forces in Kandahar. We saw troops from the U.S., France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Great Britain, Canada — as well as many other nations here. Check out the helicopter landing off in the distance.

We do get bored at times. This is David Steinberg (Robin’s manager) and me goofing off a little. Does he look like Miss USA?

This is Jon and Joe in Kandahar. Jon came to the tour in 2003 and Joe’s brother is a cop in Austin. Nice to make a connection halfway around the world.

Flying the C- 17 from Kandahr to Kyrzygistan right over the Himalayas. Stunningly beautiful. The pilot on the left did the Run for the Roses some years ago. A lot of the training for the C17 is done in Del Rio, Texas, so the boys there make it to Austin often.

Lewis performing at the Manas Air base in Kyrgyzstan. Notice the flags in the back of the room. These are the flags of the countries that are represented on the base.

For Kid’s last song, Robin comes up and does a little blues with him. Harmonica and vocals. It’s classic. That’s Rebecca, Robin’s assistant, in the background getting her own picture.

Before leaving Manas they gave us some typical Kyrgyz hats called the Kalpak. These have been worn in Kyrzigistan for centuries. They are made of handmade original felt wool, which carries tons of tradition and is considered the most sacred piece of clothing for Kyrgyzstan.

The Admiral and I about to board Air Force 2 for Italy. I have been very impressed with this man. He’s fair, honest and very smart. Word is that the members of Congress have really liked his straight-forward style and honesty.

Kid Rock and I gettin’ the heck outta the frozen tundra of Kyrgyzstan.