July 19, 2008 New skills

Things I do now that I didn’t do before I came to Morocco:

• Handwash laundry
• Use Tide as dishwashing detergent
• Cut my fingernails with a paring knife
• Cover my hair with a scarf (when it’s dirty, not for any cultural or religious reasons)
• Use shampoo as bath soap
• Gasp when I see women in shorts or tank tops
• Carry my passport whenever I leave home
• Put on bug repellent before I go to sleep
• Peel tomatoes
• Shower only once a week
• Keep my nails as short as possible
• Speak a Berber dialect
• Dice an onion while holding it
• Tolerate flies (usually)
• Speak French at least twice a week
• Sweep daily

Things that I used to think I couldn’t live without (but check it out! I’m still here):

• Daily email access
• Running water
• Western toilets
• Washing machines
• TV
• Dependable cell phone coverage
• Unlimited contact with friends and family