Its Cold in Afghanistan

Let me start with a disclaimer, the following is not from any complaints from Michael, simply him answering our questions.
Q: I heard it is getting cold at night. What is it like?
A: Yeah, one night it got down to 18°, our water was frozen when we woke up.
Q: Do you have enough cold weather gear?
A: Mostly.
Q: Have you seen any poppy fields?
A: They are everywhere, same as pot fields. Yesterday a pot field was burning; a mortar must have hit it.
Q: Can you tell us what you have been doing?
A: We are working on repairing a bridge that was hit. It’s crazy; the locals are lined up waiting to get across the river. We are working in waist deep, ummm, basically sewage. While we are in the river working, cows, goats, etc. come down to the water and that is basically the cesspool. I sure would like to take a shower, but that won’t be happening for a while.
Q: Have you seen any gunfire?
A: Don’t worry; I am doing my best to keep my guys safe. I take the maximum precaution every day. *Author’s note – do you notice how he dodged that question?
Q: Are you getting mail on a regular basis?
A: That’s funny, I seem to be getting the most and at first my guys were giving me a hard time – yeah – see his mail has Lt. on it that’s why he’s getting mail! Then they realized when I get packages they are actually the ones getting the packages – so they are real happy when the packages arrive! I keep my letters and read, re-read and then read them some more each day. The letters can keep coming, they help a lot.
Q: How are you?
A: Life’s GOOD! I mean, waking up to 18° mornings, working in excrement, doing what I’m trained to do, can’t get any better! *Author’s note – I believe he is a Taoist!
Q: What’s the best thing about being over there?
A: Payday! *Author’s note: those of you that know Miguel, this makes so much sense ;-)