Escape from my Afghan Employer

[@J_D_B4379]

Wow Seattle is so bad people are leaving for Afghanistan

[@dj007twk]

Would be funny if not true.

[@focusedeye]

J B "Wow Seattle is so bad people are leaving for Afghanistan. His leaving Seattle occurred in 2010.

[@J_D_B4379]

@@focusedeye and 2010 Seattle makes 2020 Seattle look like Disneyland

[@fatheraabed]

Currently living in Seattle, it's pretty nice, sun's out, went and got some coffee and walked the dog. I did see someone jaywalk, what an anarchist hellhole......

[@fatheraabed]

@@dj007twk have you ever been to seattle?

[@laylow712]

I feel like there might have been a couple spots in between Seattle and Kabul that you could’ve gotten a job.

[@FallofftheMap]

Clearly, poor choices were made.

[@TheTEXMIKE]

@@FallofftheMap lol

[@g1mmedatdome284]

I'm sure a high pay rate and thinking you're going on an adventure with security being promised is probably alluring to most people. Especially during a global recession...

[@slipknnnot]

If people are dumb enough to seek this type of employment then they deserve what they get

[@FallofftheMap]

Pazazi Morano ouch

[@gunraptor]

This is a great story about how human trafficking can happen to anyone.

[@SevenCostanza]

except he trafficked himself

[@watchout3811]

@@SevenCostanza lmao

[@jacobreuter]

@@SevenCostanza then i guess so did all the people escaping north korea and china. loony ass comment

[@SevenCostanza]

@@jacobreuter people escaping north korea isnt human trafficking

[@jacobreuter]

@@SevenCostanza please go learn more about human trafficking before forming such a stupid statement. Usually the ONLY way out of North Korea is through organized crime and you owe them a debt for getting you out. Again, Google isn’t hard to operate. Learn a thing or two first.

[@TheGruffness]

Please don’t let them cast Ben Afleck for this

[@FallofftheMap]

I’d be ok with John Travolta. You know that GIF where he’s looking around all confused. That pretty much sums up my experience.

[@ChiIeboy]

@@FallofftheMap If you cast Tom Hanks with his lame 'southern gentleman' accent, I'll give you a thumbs-down!

[@ryanmorgan7711]

Got to be Matt Damon surely..

[@mrk3032]

@@FallofftheMap: Travolta would be perfect for the part, except on Thursday night. :)

[@mackk123]

i was picturing Danny DeVito

[@crystalkellim9987]

Thank God for good MEN! "NEVER leave a man behind" even when they are not enlisted! You got so LUCKY for those guys

[@FallofftheMap]

Yes and no. Had some pretty sketchy moments with the new company too. That video should be coming soon if I ever get off my butt and record it.

[@scottashe984]

And good women to keep those good men on the straight and narrow.

[@FallofftheMap]

Scott Ashe definitely showing your comment to my wife when she wakes up. :)

[@dr.lexwinter8604]

All PMC work is the same, not just construction in war zones. "It's only for six weeks." turns into "One more week, we've got some guys flying in next Tuesday to relieve us." over, and over, and over. Lots of promises, always broken. Never EVER fall for it. Never EVER get separated from your papers (passport especially), your shoes, or your rifle. Those three things are the only thing keeping you alive in hostile lands.

[@CBR600_Dad]

@Philip Dennis msg me I want to work there

[@MarkH163]

Wow, had me on the edge of my seat listening...always wondered how you got started in that. It would make a good movie, or mini-series.

[@skipdreadman8765]

I knew the two Navy guys who were killed south of Shank. They were both found. One quickly, he was found in the vehicle (up-armored Land Cruiser) where he had died. The other was found after several days of searching. He had been beaten to death, stripped and dumped in the river when the Army was getting close to finding him. They had no business going where they went, and they made the decision to drive down there basically as battlefield tourists. That was my second of three tours. Army. Two as a combat advisor.

[@eggshen6716]

What were their names?

[@CaveDDECanem]

Thank you for your service.

[@russ1376]

yup that stretch of road that goes by the main gate of shank is where i saw the most lucky afghan. his truck got shot to hell i mean holes every where on the cab except for the shape his seating. even the military vehicle he was hauling got hit by a RPG. when we got up to his truck he was still seating still in shock of what happened.

[@Make-Asylums-Great-Again]

It’s never good when you have to “escape your employer”.

[@FallofftheMap]

Make Asylums Great Again • 10 years ago I’m really curious about your clever KZbin name.

[@FallofftheMap]

Also, how did you get this comment to look like it was made 10 years ago?

[@anthony4331]

@@FallofftheMap It’s part of his user name

[@hmm2928]

@@FallofftheMap the whole thing is username

[@antonioblackfox]

Most security companies that like their worker make it hard to split off if they need you. Not this bad though. Give you more hours but ruin references usually. Douches

[@jadenhernandez2828]

Reading a passport upside down, but has the power to take your life.. only this guy knows

[@ohemge12]

Don't stop for a second and think life's ever fair, it might end.

[@xxxhoodooxxx]

@@ohemge12 Wise man.

[@ebez8276]

Ha ha ha. 8 Years in Afghanistan. Worked for Afghan companies and international ones there. We probably met. Thanks for the share. There is some real POS expats that were in Afghanistan that were dodgy as f%^&.

[@RicondaRacing]

"Safe area in Afghanistan" rrrrright...

[@parabellum1002]

😂 it’s like an ocean front property in Ohio.

[@mp40submachinegun81]

@@parabellum1002 well if you wanna stretch it a lil there is ocean front ohio. Ohio is on lake Erie, lake erie flows into lake Ontario, lake Ontario flows into the st Lawrence river, the st Lawrence river flows into the gulf of st Lawrence, the gulf of st Lawrence GOES INTO THE OCEAN

[@ThatSB]

You ever been to afghanistan?

[@parabellum1002]

@@mp40submachinegun81 ah, like the Put In Bay Area! I actually forgot all about that and I’ve been there. It was loads of fun and brought back a good memory (thank you!) I see the logic there. We had to ferry over because it’s not connected to land but I agree it’s a stretch to call it ocean front as it’s still fresh water and would take extraordinary effort navigating through some pretty tiny canals going all the way up into Quebec to get to the Atlantic, but touché!

[@mp40submachinegun81]

@JOE BLOW FROM COCOMO you get it.

[@chrissnarxsr]

We'd NEVER leave you behind!!!

[@Scarface_saiyan]

That’s damn right

[@jeffreyquinonez8964]

God bless you guys 😢 🙏 ❤️

[@chrystalblu8631]

So what happened in Vietnam then?

[@LittleRayOfSnshine69]

@@chrystalblu8631 Nixon.

[@jeffnpatricia]

As a Californian electrician, I’ve never been hungry enough to try and catch Afghan work. Damn.

[@mattnsac]

when you can make a years salary in a few months, that money looks awfully appetizing

[@jdenmark1287]

Then again you probably never had aspirations to be a YT Star based on your bull shit stories either.

[@NASkeywest]

@@jdenmark1287 how is his story BS? Are you that employer or something? Lol

[@jdenmark1287]

@@NASkeywest haha no, having spent time in Afghanistan among other places like it, and then hearing this story just doesn’t add up. I’m not saying he didn’t go there, it’s just not that scary or difficult to deal with. I think he is more interested in the story even if he has to Brian Williams it.

[@FallofftheMap]

J Denmark I’m guessing you weren’t outside the wire as a civilian.

[@victorpopurhedoff8828]

I am so glad you got yourself out of that situation. I worked in Kabul as a security contractor 2011-14 and understand everything you have related to us and thankful you are safe.

[@FallofftheMap]

Thanks Victor. It’s a relief telling the story, especially to an audience that has a few people that were out there and really understand.

[@on2wheels378]

My Cousin's best friend when he was in the Army and his first Battle Buddy in the US Army Rangers who spent 24 years in the US Army, six years as a US Army Ranger in the 3rd and 1st Battalions of 75th Ranger Regiment and 18 years SOF in the 1st Group. He contracted with DSS (Diplomatic Secuirty Service) in Kabul, Iraq, Aman, Bogata and Karachi when he retired from the Army. He said there are many expat Americans who flee their employers overseas and some of their stories are just tragic. Every country he worked after the Army and working at the embassies, he said at least a dozen a year would flee to the US Embassy. I'm glad you're OK and you got out.

[@FallofftheMap]

Yeah, I’ve talked to another guy that ran from his employer and ended walking across Kabul alone. There’s definitely no safety net if you choose to walk this particular tightrope.

[@on2wheels378]

@@FallofftheMap Maybe you should do a tutorial because there a lot of Americans who want to do what you do for a few years and a upload on what to watch out for would be good. I'm retired Army myself but after this war of wars, I wanted to go home and only travel with my new wife when we could. I like it stateside. Lol... We actually met overseas when she worked for 60 Minutes

[@johncondon4647]

Whew... You had potential of being the star of an 'Orange Jumpsuit' video. I'm glad you shared it. The world continues to become less safe and the young'uns need to hear these stories.

[@FallofftheMap]

John Condon yeah, that was exactly what was going through my head during the weird police stop.

[@OldSchoolMinded]

This is def gonna get recommended to everyone yearly lol

[@FallofftheMap]

Honestly, I’m totally surprised KZbin has picked this up and run with it. I’ll take it, but I sure wasn’t expecting it.

[@archardor3392]

@@FallofftheMap I guesse its because the story is so interesting, people watch it till the end, so the algorithm picked it. In any case, great story!

[@turnip5359]

Some nerd is probably going to share it to Reddit and it'll blow up

[@happydays4551]

dang man you literarily almost "fell off the map".. and when you look back at it, youll smile and say "dang that was a good time"... stories like this prevent mid live crises, glad you made it back to "tell the story" ...

[@rjchavers9267]

When you described the way they were "reading" your passport I literally lol'd. That's the only thing that made me laugh today. Glad you made it out safely. Thank you for posting your experience. Not sure why it was recommended to me but I actually found your video very interesting.

[@TheAngryEagle]

Oh. My. God. I’ve been deploying as a soldier, and now as a contractor, for a long time... but I’ve never heard of anyone from the states doing anything like that. You are lucky.

[@tjslifeispie]

God bless those crazy ex Marines 🙏

[@FallofftheMap]

Indeed.

[@oldguy7528]

Hell Yea.

[@GM4ThePeople]

Once a crazy ex-Marine, always a crazy ex-Marine. ;)

[@bradsmgads1302]

@@GM4ThePeople those crayons arent going to eat themselves

[@genearbogast7525]

Happy BDay To USMC

[@OM4Rx]

What a story man, glad you’re okay and everything is better now.

[@iandonchi1034]

I travelled overland in 1977, spent 2 weeks in Afghanistan, from the historic Khyber pass to Jelallabad on roads and tunnels, some a mile long , build by Germany help, Kabul , a city of 200,000 people ,its incredible views of the Himalayan mountains ,the famous hotel metropol ,cleane and orderly streets ,at 5900 feet altitude, mid February is very cold and snowing ,I felt completely safe , chicken street souvenir shops ,the old bazaar and the money markets ,I wandered the streets daily for hours , respectfully asking permission to take people photos, I travelled to Kandahar, on roads built by America help ,a city of about 130,000 ,then on to Herat, a town close to Iran's border, on concrete slab roads built by Russia help , wonderful country ,wonderful people, I hope one day it will be safe for others to experience Afghanastan ,just like I did 42 years ago

[@FallofftheMap]

That’s awesome. I’ve stood in some of the same places as you, Herat and Chicken Street... it’s very different country now. I wish I could have seen the Afghanistan you experienced. My Afghanistan had IEDs going off on chicken street several times a year and taliban controlling the countryside around Herat. Funny you mention overlanding. I just bought an old 91 Hilux that I’m setting up as my South American overlander.

[@baheer156]

Have you published the photos anywhere?

[@leemiller5194]

Please we would like to see these historic photos before the war

[@FallofftheMap]

Derek Miller I second this. I would love to see the photos. Do you have them uploaded to a site you can link or can you put them up on something like imgur and share the link here?

[@J.Tronix]

This dude needs to go on JRE

[@sphinx8404]

Yup

[@WilliamWonka]

Never work for anyone named “Butch”.

[@Kulayyu]

Butch? I thought he said Dutch, guy with a thick Austrian accent. Last time he saw him, he was yelling “ I’m getting on that choppa”.

[@WilliamWonka]

@@Owledg Arthur Morgan knows not to work for Dutch.

[@timothycook3566]

I worked for a guy named Butch. Never trust a Butch

[@clouseaux]

Ha true, tho I seriously doubt that was his real name... someone who's fake name is Butch is probably worse than a guy actually named Butch

[@randomragequits6597]

Butch is just a name used by people who are "juniors", like Jack is just a nickname for John.

[@TheLottolandus]

Amazing. I was in the Army and deployed to Iraq but I was a fobbit because of my clearance level. You are incredibly brave and a little bit crazy. You deserve a lot more attention because you tell your story in a low key yet entertaining way. I bet Joe Rogan would love to interview you.

[@FallofftheMap]

Thanks, that’s high praise. Man, I don’t know if I’d be excited or terrified to go on Joe’s show.

[@TheLottolandus]

@@FallofftheMap So I put you as a link on Joes page. Click on it. It was kinda funny what commercial came up.

[@TheLottolandus]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGebmICmbtOJe5I

[@cstew8355]

@@FallofftheMap terrified he may bum you

[@Justin-rv9nc]

I really did enjoy this story. I'm a veteran, I'm happy you made it home safe!

[@irietropicals4255]

Good story! You’re a brave man. I think that was an act of God when the U.S convoy drove by you at the police checkpoint.

[@FallofftheMap]

Thanks. Yeah, I don’t know if it was God or just dumb luck. Either way, I’m very grateful I didn’t end up in some Taliban beheading video.

[@sabbath8989]

@@FallofftheMap Amazing story indeed. It is rare to hear about the stuff that is going on in Afghanistan form that time that isn't military related. Did your new employer (the ex marines) also shared your view that you would have been kidnapped at that checkpoint if not the convoy?

[@nareshgoolcharran1990]

We're glad you didn't end up in one too ! Great stories keep em coming

[@NASkeywest]

@@FallofftheMap don’t believe in dumb luck to that extreme. Dumb luck is winning $30 on a lottery ticket

[@simonnestarrk7665]

Just as its an act of god there is war there and children being wiped out on the daily. Smh it was an act of good timing.

[@12StringHWY]

Wow he's still twitchy and on edge. But that did sound like a motorcycle you'd hear in the middle East.

[@12StringHWY]

@@Everythingallthetime666 The guy sort of reminds me of my uncle when he came off the plane from Vietnam.

[@junebug225]

He is in Ecuador

[@buckbuchanan5849]

I'm sorry, this came up in my feed, so I watched it. Edit to add: Enjoyed it!

[@FallofftheMap]

Buck Buchanan I’m sorry if you didn’t enjoy it. Edit: that’s for the edit. Good to know you enjoyed it.

[@ericsimpson6677]

the phrase job in afghan alone is enough for me to say NOPE

[@Railos1]

Awesome story and God Bless those ex-Marines who saved you it was a blessing!

[@maxemerson6955]

Whoah dude!!! Craazzy!!! I just discovered your channel and listening to your stories is awesome

[@More_Row]

What a strange company you ended up in. Sounded very sketchy but something neat to look back on I suppose. Thanks for sharing.

[@fortwoods]

I loved your story. I have an escape from my employer story as well so I was riveted and your story really resonated. Glad you got out and thanks for sharing the story.

[@FallofftheMap]

You can’t just drop a hint about your story and not elaborate. Do tell.

[@bangz_]

gripping story! your escape (or lack thereof) reminded me of Argo

[@Jaike57]

I hung on every word of this. Incredible story well told. Subscribed and good luck.

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

That's one hell of a story dude, I've heard the same thing happen on the Kuwaiti border and in Baghdad too, definitely not alone in jumping on board with a shady company. Glad you made it out fine.

[@FallofftheMap]

Derek J. Yeah, over the years I’ve collected a couple stories from other folks that made the mistake of working for Afghan companies. One guy was just a hot head. He flipped out because the Afghans insisted on ignoring him and building everything their own way. He literally threw down his tools and walked out the gate at a base in Kabul. Once he got out to the street he realized he’d probably made a big mistake. This poor guy walked alone across Kabul to another base and cried at the gate until they rescued him. There was a badass lady who was both an electrician and an electrical engineer. She was doing alright traveling around Afghanistan hiding by dressing like a local woman. We were Facebook friends until one day she just went silent. I never found out what happened to her.

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

@@FallofftheMap Wow, definitely some crazy stuff! Hope that lady is alright. Couple of PSS/ security contractors i knew of got kidnapped in Baghdad couple years back, never heard what happened to a couple of them, a couple others were released/ rescued after a month but not before they were horribly abused/ tortured. Ain't a high risk job for nothing. Definitely got to be hypervigilant outside the green zone.

[@Mike-yy4ll]

@@DJTheMetalheadMercenary How they were abused/tortured?

[@kmc9452]

From all I've read really awful stuff goes on - young boys sold in the open to Muslim authorities..if this was in 2010 - yep, that makes sense.

[@DJTheMetalheadMercenary]

@@Mike-yy4ll There's articles out there on their situation, I'm not going to get into that for obvious reasons.

[@normareams4780]

I have been viewing your videos for several years now. This story was amazing and very informative for future overseas contractors who take a job in a hostile environment. I'm so glad, to hear you are ok and made it out safely. Thank God's for his Angels covering you. My friend is currently in Kabul, Afghanistan doing an IT Help Desk System Administrator contracting job and so far, my friend experience is going extremely well. I guess like you said in one of your other videos, you have the good, the bad and the ugly.

[@FallofftheMap]

Yeah, this story is not indicative of most of the contracting work out there. Glad your friend is on a good contract.

[@normareams4780]

Have you heard of Vectrus? If so, are they a good contracting company?

[@FallofftheMap]

Norma Reams I’ve worked around them and with some people that had previously worked for them. I would say opinions are mixed. I’d certainly be willing to give them a try, but I’ll try anything once.

[@decentintoboredom]

I’m glad this was recommended to me.

[@jacobhill3302]

Dude, this is the most interesting thing ive seen in a while. I appreciate the danger your in and thank you for the videos. Keep on keeping on.

[@goalie2998]

Those Afghan "electricians" sound like the help I get in Massachusetts. They mess everything up. Great story thanks for sharing

[@db4152]

Why you say that, the dudes from the MOB dont have electrical experience?

[@ebeneezerscrooge2942]

Worked with black water in 2004 Iraq. Off the hook bro. Life was so crazy for me between 2004-2006. Patch of time that has had a major effect on the rest of my life. Definitely grew up and learned who I was in the desert.

[@s0nnyburnett]

Jesus christ my dude. This is the kind of nightmare fuel that keeps me up at night. God speed you magnificent bastard.

[@KLeVoyBarnes]

I REMEMBER WORKING AT CACI IN KUWAIT 2007 AND WAS GETTING EMAILS FOR A JOB IN NIGERIA. I THOUGHT NO WAY, BUT I WILL TELL MY CO-WORKERS. 2 SUBCONTRACTS ADMINISTRATORS WERE NEEDED. ONE GUY HAD A BROTHER AND BOTH GOT THE 2 JOBS IN NIGERIA ON A OIL PROJECT. THEY APPARENTLY LIVED IN A HOTEL AND WERE BUSED TO WORK. AFTER WORKING THERE ONLY A WEEK, THE BUS WAS AMBUSHED AND EVERYONE WAS KILLED INCLUDING THOSE 2 BROTHERS. I LEARNED IN THE GREEN ZONE, BAGHDAD, DON'T TAKE THE BUS - EVEN INSIDE THE GREEN ZONE WALLS ( 2004 ). WALK; WALK WITH BODY ARMOR AND HELMET. NEVER NEVER HEAD TO THE BUNKERS ON ROCKET ATTACKS OR BREACHES TO THE WALLS OR CHECKPOINTS. THAT IS THE FIRST PLACE THEY ARE GOING TO LOOK. SLEEP WITH YOUR BODY ARMOR LAYED ACROSS YOUR CHEST AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH A HELMET. A LEAST ON A DIRECT MORTAR HIT, YOU MAY SURVIVE; AND IF NOT; AT LEAST YOUR UPPER BODY WILL BE INTACT FOR THE FUNERAL.

[@everettweeks2195]

Love the way you see the world. Just subscribed. You have a new fan.

[@Mark-yb1sp]

Excellent, excellent and most excellent. I wish you the very best.

[@deedubs602]

Damn! You got extremely lucky in a couple of those situations. You must have one hell of an angel looking out for you.

[@SOAxZIPPER]

Hearing stories like this makes me glad I didn't take a contract a few years back that was offered to me. Same premise put a job up online for a truck driver overseas, got a few emails and there was one that was very persistent. That one though I had a bad feeling about, it's hard to explain it was almost like it was instinct. so I kept ignoring that email and eventually marked it as spam enough that it disappeared. Watching this video and listening to your story though makes me glad I did that. Something tells me I could have easily wound up in a very dodgy situation like you found yourself in. Edit: noticed typo, changed promise to premise.

[@rjchavers9267]

Always trust your gut.

[@pickford7812]

I was half talked into Chad, luckily the Canadian government has enough travel advisory to talk my broke ass out of it

[@adamw-m4634]

My dad was a truck driver in Iraq for 5 years. He has some CRAZY stories.

[@justinv4036]

saving the story worked! -showed up in my feed and I quickly subscribed. thanks for the riviting tale; I'd be excited to hear part II.

[@ghostghost266]

OH MY GOODNESS😳 this story was absolutely insane. You really have been through some stuff overseas.I can’t wait until I leave for my overseas job.

[@oldguy7528]

When you go, listen to the old guys, Don't act like you know every thing, I saw that type, They didn't stay long..

[@ghostghost266]

@@oldguy7528 most definitely will do that.I want to learn as much as possible

[@irietropicals4255]

Where area are you going

[@ms6ofclubs]

I’ve watched a few of your videos as well as plenty of other non combat Afghan videos when I miss being over there. I have to admit that not only do I remember seeing you at BAF sometime around late 2018 early 2019 (seems like you were always at the disney PX and I remember you were probably the only other person on base with an alpha industries jacket) but I just wanted to say that I enjoy seeing your videos since it actually shows some of the more day to day type things of being over there that I miss.

[@rustyshackleford8149]

Hey, great video, great story, and I hope others that are looking for work can use this knowledge and experience of yours to educate themselves to be wary and prepare for possible frauds and dangerous situations

[@ItsJustMeMcKee]

I could listen to stories like this all day!

[@alansomebody6886]

OK so I'll just scratch off taking any international jobs I find on Linkedin! Wow, man! That is some experience! So glad you made it through all that safely! Thanks for sharing!

[@Slobberthegoat]

Good story, I could listen to stories like that all day. Stay safe over there!

[@dblazer321]

Incredible story. Could listen to these for hours

[@EwfrGomulee]

Been out here since March 2019, loving it, worked on Camp Bastion back in 2013 but was a full time employee instead of a contractor (a rarity I know) I think I recognise you, maybe we've crossed paths in HKIA. Glad you made it out of that checkpoint situation safely, how easily that could have gone bad, stay safe

[@archardor3392]

The grandfather of a friend was in Afghanistan around 1980 to do some construction work. He would tell that crazy story of how they got kidnapped and dragged through the mountains for 6 months, untill one night, he and his coworker managed to escape. I think the coworker was killed but the grandfather made it out of Afghanistan alive.

[@nicklee2fly]

Total madness, not sure if you remember but you gave me a few tips via messenger back in August ‘19 when I was just about to deploy, I’ve been here at Shorab/New Antonik ever since & there’s been some moments I thought were sketchy but oh my god your story takes the biscuit, you’re a better man than I Gunga Din! Hope you’re doing well!

[@FallofftheMap]

Hi Nick. I’m glad to hear you got out there ok and are still in the game. It’s tough times with so many base closures happening. I’m about to ship back out, this time to Niger. Well, I’ll be shipping out if I can get through this damn fit for duty. Lots of bureaucracy at the moment. Of course if I don’t make it through I’ll just go back to living in paradise in Ecuador, poor me. I do always try to get that money while I can though. Maybe we’ll see each other down the road somewhere. Till then, stay safe.

[@nicklee2fly]

@@FallofftheMap you too brother I wish you luck! Actually I got sent home just after this comment! Oh well maybe Iraq will have me... but first beer & sunshine!

[@manonfirelj]

Been there done that,, my first gig started in Iraq, Baghdad. I started with company from Lebanon. After 10 yrs finally made home all in one piece. Hope you made it .

[@FallofftheMap]

Glad you made it home. 10 years is a damn long time to hang in there. I did a total of five years on 3 different contracts. Left for Ecuador on R&R last March... couldn’t return because of Covid so now I’m just enjoying hanging out in Ecuador.

[@michaelb885]

just stumbled on your channel! Cannot wait for more stories

[@lowcatalina6638]

Welcome home. I spent 3weeks “detained” at the Mexico-Guatemala border. I know what it’s like to think you’ll never see home again

[@jefeMAX1111]

I love your story! I was in all the same locations in 09-10. Beautiful but crazy place. I miss it! lol

[@DyingDarkLight]

It sounds like you lucked out a few times lol. Love how you tell the story

[@DennyandNikki]

You are a great storyteller! This is JRE worthy!

[@FallofftheMap]

Thanks. People keep telling me I need to go on JRE. Maybe one do I’ll get to.

[@byrde4329]

This is the first video I’ve watched of yours and I can tell you’ve got stories. Seem like the unconventional type (I just typed that right as you said it yourself) and those are the ones with a hell of a lot of good stories.

[@patmurphy389]

Thank you for sharing your story. Real eye-opener for me.

[@kb6530]

Hey bro , your living. My routine is mostly safe and happy and boring , but yours is dangerous , scary and exciting.

[@FallofftheMap]

Well, this was many years ago. Now my routine is something like: wake up and get the kids into their online classes. Make breakfast. Walk to the vegetable market. Maybe drive to the grocery store in Quito. Driving is the only Nely exciting part of my day because my US license in no longer valid here in Ecuador so I have to dodge the many police checkpoints. Been waiting forever for the Colombian border to open so I can do a border run and her another 6 months legal on my US license.

[@sunsmile2010]

Wow 😱 I've seen your videos in Antarctica, Latin America, and now Middle East. What a great career life 😊... and here we are doing 8-5 at an air-conditioned office. Keep safe!

[@noahw4623]

"It's illegal to quit" Oh no, now I'm a criminal. In your house. Next to an AK. Whatever will I do.

[@gman5338]

Just found your channel. I was over there same time same location. Much Respect

[@sactu1]

Ironically, you were probably safer in a Toyota Corolla in Kabul than an up-armored 4WD, because my recollection of Kabul was that every second car was a Corolla! The Afghans love their Toyotas!!

[@Christus.Invictus]

Stay safe brother. Thanks for sharing your story! God bless

[@tmazer99505]

you should get with a movie studio, I would definitely watch a movie about your adventures overseas and I think a lot of people are curious about the contracting work done during the war by Americans.

[@emagee7864]

That is an effing crazy story. Glad you made it back in one piece.

[@mattd476]

Wild glad your alright. Blows my mind when I see people just on vacation in these countries with wars going on.

[@jalspach9215]

Dude I've seen that craziness 1st hand. Search the book: "Crisis in Cambodia: The Backpacker Kidnap & the Fall of the Khmer Rouge". Happened in 1994. I was working as a professional diver in Thailand at the time this happened. I had some friends who were working in Cambodia - members of the UN's UNTAC program - EOD landmine removal etc. - I told them of my bucket list item of visiting Angkor Wat before leaving SE Asia. They said, "..now's not a good time. The Khmer Rouge just RPG'd a minivan of tourists up there." They went on waxing in astonishment at all the naive, oblivious backpackers everywhere over there. Traipsing blissfully around, it seemed, at least 1 in 4 with Caucasian dreadlocks, beads, bandanas, natural fiber everything mixed with North Face gear - channeling the "idyllic" 1960's they weren't around to know anything about. The comic posing has always perplexed me. Anyway I had agreed with my UN pals considering this same neo-hippie crowd was (& still is) all over Thailand as well. Even in "relatively safe" Thailand they seemed to constantly stumble into sketchy situations like lemmings. You can read all the Siddhartha & Kerouac you want- ...Play stupid games. Win stupid prizes. The Thai Mafia threatened to kill me and I was doing everything right with 20 years of 3rd World experience! But that's another story. Funny, these idiots would've likely balked at the odds in Las Vegas, but thought nothing of getting high on the roof of a previously shot-up train chugging toward the Elephant Mountains, straight into the hands of the Khmer Rouge.

[@FallofftheMap]

I’d agree that there is a willful ignorance about many of the hippie backpacker crowd. On the other hand, I’ve done my share of backpacking in dangerous places and had a few close calls. Not everyone who travels like this does so out of ignorance. Sometimes is a certain stubbornness. A few years ago I took a motor-canoe into the mangrove swamps that separate Ecuador and Colombia. I knew it was a dangerous area that was controlled more by the narcos than either the Colombian or Ecuadorian government. In the little communities on the islands in the mangrove swamps there was FARC graffiti. I kept my head on a swivel and I didn’t stay after dark. I took a risk because I had something inside me that compelled me to see and try to understand the area first hand. I know other people will hear this and interpret my actions as stupidity just as they sometimes misinterpret the actions of other travelers that go dangerous places. And yes, sometimes it is a combination of naivety and stupidity, but not always. Sometimes people travel to these places knowing how dangerous it is, but driven by something that other people just don’t understand or identify with.

[@jalspach9215]

@@FallofftheMap Thanks for your response. I wholeheartedly agree. I regret not clarifying that the perspective I chose to write leaned heavily on stereotype. Intent was to get to the point. Every adventure has elements of risk - anything from the dark comedy & minor frustration of being ripped off by a cabbie to getting yourself killed. When I lived in Koh Samui I'd befriended a Dutch couple, newlyweds, who were not the granola type. Clean cut, sundress & polo short. Over dinner upon their return from Chiang Mai up North they told me of a strange overnight Elephant Tour they experienced. They said while heading up the Mekong at night their "guides" made them lay down in the hull of the wooden "long tail" boat & covered them with a tarp. When they emerged one of the crew was sporting an AK they hadn't seen when they boarded. They later realized as well, their "elephant tour" (which went just fine apparently) - though escorted by more AK's - seemed to be on the Burmese side! I was astonished. I explained they most likely had booked a "tour" with some of Kuhn Sa's rebels of Golden Triangle fame. These guys were probably just making some extra money on the side. Whoa but that could've turned South in a hurry! I've lost count how many times I've advised novice travelers I meet "out there"., "..just be aware this is not your backyard, While paranoia can ruin a fun trip, many things are not what they seem." Granted we enjoy & thrive on the wonderful people we meet. I lived with a fishing village family for three months while building a boat - way off the tourist path. Salt of the Earth they were. I was treated as a brother! But as you said, "keep your head on a swivel" when sketchy situations arise. I'll suggest that's a sliding scale in places where locals look at you knowing the cost of your airfare is more than their average annual household income. Also had a well traveled French artist friend who went up to the Triangle, rented an Enduro bike & bribed a border guard to let him toodle across the border. Cruising down the road thru the jungle about 2 km in a rifle round snapped past his head. That was enough to turn him around & high tail it back. This example is what I mean by even dicey things are not what they seem sometimes. Not well thought out. A traveler who feels bold enough to take calculated risks might be thinking, "...well there's a chance I could get robbed.. - I'll chalk it up as part of the thrill.", etc., having not considered there are places where highwaymen find it more convenient & less risky to just anonymously shoot you dead & take your things. I grew up right on the Mexican border. There's an element of this there now I never felt before. Certain areas which bring that feeling like you had in the mangroves. Fleeting feelings I had on watch in the early 1980's on auto pilot at night in the Bahamas armed to the teeth. Where Miami Vice was real! Be safe my friend. Cheers & Aloha.

[@TheLibran1]

I dunno if "enjoyed" is the right word, I am happy nothing too bad happened to you and your a clever person!

[@HeadhuntexGamer]

Man this is crazy... simple crazy, I'm glad you're fine nowadays

[@krellon1140]

Amazing video, Glad youre here to tell your story

[@Zecodar]

“Watching Black Hawk Down...” lmao. Can’t make that shit uo

[@brocks6200]

he sounds like he made up half of it.

[@gamingbubble1103]

Normally I skip bits in these types of videos but I was gripped to your story the whole time. That was some fucked up situation you were in!

[@percivalong5802]

this can be a synopsis of a good movie

[@MiC-T]

That's exactly what it is. A script. Its BS.

[@richardfitswell898]

They weren't lost on me, brother! Incredible stories!!

[@politicalsheepdog]

When I was deployed to Iraq in 2005 I met an electrician who was supervising 3 guys from India on our base. I got to talking with him and he said he was getting paid $250K per year to supervise 3rd country nationals and make sure they did all the electronic repairs and installations correctly. He was saying if he could put in 5 years, he could retire.

[@FallofftheMap]

In the early years this was common. Eventually pay went down and the electricians were expected to actually do the work they were hired to do rather than just sit and watch. When I started contracting in 2010 most electricians were making around 120k but there were still quite a few guys that thought their job was to watch Indians work. By 2019 almost all the lazy assholes had been weeded out and the average pay was about 100k.

[@ebeneezerscrooge2942]

I was there too bro. After the invasion civilian contractors were making a killing.

[@levirobinson6828]

Man how are u sorry for delivering such a great story .. honestly u only live once and at least u have a real story and live an interesting life

[@gunraptor]

Dude, I seriously would have thought you were a spy so freaking hard.

[@randomragequits6597]

You're convinced he isn't?

[@gunraptor]

@@randomragequits6597 I mean...a physically fit, electronically inclined military aged male with Ant Man's "dude, you can trust me, I'm no one special" facial expressions and demeanor....all while being able to talk himself into military bases? He's either a skilled spy or literally just blue collar.

[@africaart]

A foreigner walking around in a war zone and doesn't care about the poor living standards. I one entertained someone like that and had the poop beaten out of me by my country secret police who suspected they were spies.

[@rolux4853]

@@africaart Damn which country you’re from?

[@douglaslitton1884]

That was a great story. I loved it. Be safe brother.

[@deviledegg5664]

Shit dude that was a heck of a story I thank the KZbin for recommending this

[@FallofftheMap]

Every once in a while KZbin gets it right.

[@josephbryant8775]

Someone likes you upstairs 😇 glad you are still with us.

[@LazerApe]

The Afghan police in logar are sketchy as fuck. I was at shank in 2019 in a route clearance package. That was a brutal patch of dirt

[@dannycostello3048]

Great story. Great story telling. New subscriber here

[@grmpEqweer]

Well...that was...oddly enough, as weird as I would expect things to be in Afghanistan.

[@grmpEqweer]

@tanner loehr I'm really sorry to hear that. Fwiw, I didn't like the idea of occupying Afghanistan.

[@charlieemike]

Holy shit. Idk how i found your video or why it showed up in my feed. I was at shank 2012-2013. good times.

[@FallofftheMap]

I was back there again while you were there. That VBIED sure sucked.

[@charlieemike]

@@FallofftheMap my hat is off to you sir.

[@sikleqt]

Probably an AK-74. Smaller, higher velocity round. Look up the weapon. Looks exactly like the AK-47 but just chambered differently. Became a very popular weapon a while ago.

[@josephvulich9448]

Wow, that's an incredible experience to deal with! I'm also an electrician, but I don't believe that I would work for a private contractor overseas, and be put into a dangerous situation. Glad it worked out well for you in the long run. New subscriber here, I really enjoyed the content of this video. God bless you brother, enjoy yourself! ~Joe ✌😎

[@antoniobranch]

"NOTHING LIKE LIVING OUT OF SUITCASE OR BACKPACK". "YOUR HIGH IS BETTER THAN ANY DRUG".

[@11KAB11]

Incredible story! As a fellow Electrician in Canada, I can understand the choices you made albeit put you in a poor situation. Glad you made it out alive!

[@FallofftheMap]

Thanks brother.

[@MannyScoot]

It sound like one of my stories when I did private military security in Russia 95 to 1998....

[@FallofftheMap]

I’d love to hear the story.

[@Nimrodbodeinejr]

Sure

[@richardcranium2581]

Chechnya?