Hi Karen,
Well, after a couple of years away on active duty (I&A) I've found myself a bit fatigued being around guns, explosions etc, many wounds, scars, lost a lot of friends, seen a lot of death (sorry to hear about your brother), diagnosed with depression etc. Thought I'd take some leave, go back home to a normal "LIFE" for awhile, do some fishing, diving, treasure hunting.
Military pension doesn't go very far so maybe start a small business, work for myself rather than taking orders, as I've done for far too long. A farm would be nice, plants some crops, raise some sheep or cattle, but not a lot of options compared to illegal activities for good income.
However, I arrive back home to find the place has gone to shit, someone else has moved into what was my house, the bank must have been robbed as my account is almost empty.
The city is filled with unsavory characters, drug dealers, violence. The rural areas are filled with vigilantes taking advantage of innocent tourists passing through, many who will no-doubt leave the country never to return, or perhaps feel compelled to join in and do the same, perhaps for revenge, not good for tourism, or those who may have considered making it their home, start a business, make an honest living etc.
The other day a friend, Jay, and myself went out and did some mining, I hadn't done it for years, thankfully Jay was there to retrain me, all my licenses had expired so it wasn't a cheap day. We then dropped into sell it to old Davo the remote buyer, we weren't there for 2 minutes when 4 guys rolled up in an armored vehicle fully armed with automatic weapons (wtf?), initially I thought they were armored couriers, there to pickup/drop-off money and items for Davo, but then started demanding Jay and I hand over our cash, off-course knowing me and with what I've just been through I laughed at them, stood my ground and told them to Fk off, which didn't end well, more scars, stole my car, later found out it was chopped.
Whilst it was never perfect, it seems things have gotten out of control for the Police here, perhaps not enough of them, low moral, maybe lack of good leadership and Government support/funding, medical/health care is also lacking. Whatever it is, it seems the evil out ways the good, reminds me a lot of where I just came back from, civil war, which we are over there trying to control/stop, protect the innocent, yet while our armed forces are over there trying to protect their citizens, our citizens back here are experiencing similar, seems no longer a safe place to call home, but it is home, I grew up here, have to make the best of it.
I remember seeing all this start to develop not long before I was deployed, contractors were employed to assist the Police get a handle on things, I gave them a hand now and then. I guess it didn't go well (more money in crime), but that's not something I'm mentally prepared to get back into at the moment, just want a quite recreational life for awhile, get my head straight for now, earn some money, buy a new house. Maybe, if all goes well I'll put some of my extensive training and experience back into good use, until then, perhaps best if you don't visit.
Anyway, I trust this letter finds you well, love to you and your family,
WestOz xo.