stream of consciousness

So I’ve been here two weeks now. And here are some things that I’ve noticed/have been convicted by:

My (western?) desire for instant gratification: We westerners have almost eliminated the need for patience. We want things- and we want them fast, easy..you know, NOW.
I want communication to be easy. I want to learn these languages fast, now. I want to know my way around the medina, now. Why is this bus taking so long to arrive? Why is this internet so slow?
These problems and questions can all be solved with one thing: patience.

Entitlement. I do what I want, when I want, because I can. Because this world is mine and I have a right to exploit it, right? I n c o r r e c t.
I must be constantly reminded that I am a part of something so much bigger than myself.
This can be seen at the dinner table, but even trying to type a description makes me realize how petty my dinner time annoyances are, and so I will leave this unexplained.
Solution: humility. I am the stranger, the one being welcomed. I am here to learn, not to be accommodated.

Money. Consumerism. Etc.
One of the first phrases learned while in this new country? “Besh-hal hadda?” “How much is this?”
Among other instances, such as the first time I brought out my laptop at home, and the look from my sister as I unloaded my (too many) pairs of shoes.
Don’t even get me started on this.

Among these arrogant characteristics: helplessness. “I don’t know how to ask that” “I can’t find my way to that place” “ I don’t want to go there alone” blah blah blah.
Solution: bravery. Take small risks every day (not real risks, dad/mom...just the safe kind) ie, ask questions, say the wrong words, maybe get a little lost. Do. It.

Wealth vs poverty
This weekend I discovered the bidonville/shantytown of Rabat...right next to these large/lavish/seemingly unoccupied buildings...on my way to the La Jolla of Rabat.
Conflicted? Count on it.
I haven’t finished processing all of this, so I apologize for the weird/short descriptions
Other updates:
I went to the hammam with Mama Amina and I 1) have never been this clean/exfoliated, and 2) never thought I would be this comfortable with nudity

Other brother’s name: Samir. We still haven’t spoken, but that’s on my to-do list for the next week or two.

Also, the family has taken to sending me out to do small errands. I have no idea if I am getting what they want me to get, but I’m doing it. Yay!