Yellowknife (Jun 09/06) - The heat, dust and bugs are bad, but for Leigh Clements, one of the worst things is the "boom" of bombs going off around Kandahar City.

Clements is a 33-year-old Yellowknifer who has worked in Afghanistan since early January.

"Four days after I arrived in Kandahar, a suicide bomber killed (Canadian diplomat) Glyn Berry," said Clements. "I feel it when something goes boom. That was a pretty big boom. It was pretty close."

That bombing also injured three Canadian soldiers who were riding in the armoured G Wagon with Berry.

Before going overseas Jan. 3, Clements worked at the Yellowknife RCMP detachment as air service co-ordinator. Her husband of nearly four years is air force Cpl. Chris Hardy, a flight engineer with 440 Squadron.

Originally from London, Ont., Clements has lived in Yellowknife since 2004.

She's working for the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency. At Camp Nathan Smith, home to a Canadian provincial reconstruction team, she runs the kit shop, selling various goods to soldiers. The base is also home to NWT Mountie Al McCambridge.

Clements and another civilian worker sleep in the back of the small store.

"It's pretty good accommodation. I have walls and a floor.

"I wanted to give back to the military," she said, explaining her desire to trade the safety and security of Yellowknife to work in a war zone.

"Surreal is the word that comes to mind. It's an experience I don't think I will ever forget."

She opens the shop at 10 a.m. each day and closes it at 8 p.m.

When personnel are preparing to head out on patrol, Clements said she'll open up at any hour.

For her work, she was awarded the commander's coin for service to the camp.

Clements' only contact with average Afghan citizens is with those who work on the base.

"I don't see outside of the gates," she said. "We are able to go up in the tower and see the city."

The bombings "take away my desire to mix and mingle" with people on the streets of Kandahar City.

Inside the camp, it's a family atmosphere, she said.

"I turned 33 over here. I tried to get by unnoticed, but they found out and they made me a cake."

The heat is something she has never experienced, but the food is good, she said.

There's plenty of fresh fruit and meals prepared by a Canadian cook, although she really misses dish No. 77 at the Vietnamese Noodle House here at home.

"The insects are disgusting," she said, listing off camel spiders, scorpions and other "weird insects" that make her skin crawl. Camel spiders grow up to 10 cm big and can crawl as fast as 16 kilometres an hour.

Despite being nervous when bombs go off, Clements said she feels secure in the camp.

She was issued complete protective gear, including bullet-proof vest and helmet when she went to Afghanistan, and everyone carries weapons in the camp.

"With that comes a feeling of safety," she said. "It has become my reality for the time I'm here."

Flying into Afghanistan was also a new experience.

"You do what's called a tactical landing," said Clements, describing it as "a very bad roller coaster ride. Nobody threw up, which was a good thing."

Although married to a member of the Armed Forces, Clements said she's gained a new respect for soldiers.

"I don't think a lot of Canadians personalize soldiers. They sacrifice so much."

She also praises the support she gets from her husband and her family.

Clements expects to return home to Yellowknife in early July.

Her husband said he's looking forward to having Clements home.

"I know she's doing a good job and I'm proud of her. She's an incredibly tough girl, so devoted and loyal, to Canada and to her employer," said Hardy.