Five Things.. Well, Ten Really.

Five Habits I've picked up since being in Morocco.

1. I eat cumin on everything. I may only have salt and cumin shakers in my house from now on.
2. I am comfortable kissing people I've just met on the cheek as a greeting. I will probably need to drop this habit when I get home, to keep from making people feel awkward.
3. I never look men in the eye while I'm in public... I started doing this again in Ireland towards the end of the trip, but I am still much less friendly to strangers now.
4. I'm much more ok with enormous/expensive places of worship. Although I still do not think religious institutions should build fancy centers of worship exclusively for their own use, I've started to accept it an an unavoidable fact.
5. I am much more interested and understand more Middle Eastern politics than before. I can now recite a fairly unbiased history of Israel/Palestine, as well as keep up with current politics and issues with the Arab Spring.

Five things in America that I no longer take for granted:

1. My family and friends. Being here, I've learned who really matters to me, and who cares about how I'm doing. I appreciate those people so much more now. I have also found those kind of people here, a few of which I want to maintain friendship with.
2. The ability to drive. For almost four years, I had the ability to just get in my car and drive pretty much where ever I wanted. After nine months of buses, trains, and grand taxis, it will be really strange to leave when ever I want, in the comfort and style of my trusty Dodge. 
3. Understanding and communicating with people. When traveling, and even in school, I live in a constant state of no-quite-knowing what is going on. It's better now that I can communicate my basic needs, but still frustrating. When interacting with Moroccan Students, they don't get my jokes or references, which can make me feel left out.
4. Rocky Mountain College and all the freedoms that come with it: No curfew, walking on the grass, drinking water in the library, knowing who to talk to for help with classes. I am excited to go back to professors that know me, and to finish my two degrees at RMC. 
5. Mexican Food, Peanut Butter, Bacon, and Ranch Dressing. “Nuf said.