I passed the reins down in Africa

In a few hours I'll be getting on a plane and sometime tomorrow night - hopefully sooner rather than later - I'll be back in California.  Eating an In-n-Out cheeseburger grilled onions no tomato if I don't get in too late.  And a neopolitan shake.  And French fries, that have salt on them.  Everything is under-salted here.  I digress.  So, I'll be home.  And I'm so grateful because I've missed home a lot.  I've missed my family a lot.  I've missed my friends a lot.  I've missed the World's Largest Felt Collection a lot.

But I've lived in Tunisia for the last 3 months and there are so many things I will miss about it.  The number one question I get asked by Tunisians when they find out how long I've been here is, "Do you like it?" (This is generally followed by, "Would you stay?" and "Would you consider marrying an Arab?")  And I'm happy to report that I do.  It's a great place.  It has its flaws (I'm looking at you, Drivers of Tunisia.  Those lane lines are there for a reason.) and I have seen it from a very different side than those who actually live here.  But as a visitor I have found it fascinating and beautiful and easy to get around and everyone has been helpful and nice and friendly.  Sometimes overly friendly (I'm looking at you Date Farmer.)  It has certainly been the coolest thing I have ever done.  And that's coming from someone who has seen Wayne Newton live at an Indian casino.

Things I will miss:

The high availaibility of Orangina
Warm, fresh almond and chocolate filled croissants
The different colors of the sea
The latice work outside my windows
Bougainvillea bushes everywhere
The call to prayer in the distance
Walks in the park
Throwing rocks with Henry
Making Sam smile
The doors in Sidi Bou Said
Getting lost in the medina
Surprise proposals from date farmers
The adventure of driving here
Reading on a bench overlooking the sea
Talking my way into the embassy
Girls night
Bunco
Long talks with Bronwyn
International Charades
Sam grabbing my face
Roman ruins
Minarets
Henry jumping on my bed
Endless things to blog about
All the amazing people I've met

And these good folks:

Bronwyn, Chris, Henry and Sam.  I love you guys.  I don't have the skills to express what this trip has meant.  Thanks for an unforgetable adventure.