28 June 2005 - 09:23
UP: Being in America was awesome! Thank you to everyone who made time in their busy schedules (I still don't understand why everyone is so set on this "work" idea) to hang out with me while I was around, and especially to those of you who bought me meals and gifts.
DOWN: I didn't meet my goal of gaining 20 lbs. in 20 days - despite my best efforts, I only made it halfway.
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DOWN: No more driving, funny movies, good food, new music, or friends and family for 15 more months...
UP: No more work for 15 more months!
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UP: I bought a 10-ft. by 6-ft. inflatable swimming pool for my house in Tidjikja and managed to get it back to Mauritania with me. Summer in Hell just got better!
DOWN: I just found out that the swimming pool won't fit on my porch, so I'll have to knock out some concrete steps to make room for it. Such is life.
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UP: I volunteered to give up my seat for two overbooked flights when I was flying through Chicago in exchange for two $800 travel vouchers from America Airlines! Free vacation!
DOWN: American Airlines decided that since I had $1600 in travel vouchers, that I didn't need my bags. I got to Casablanca a day late, but my bags got there two days late, after I had already left for Fes.
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DOWN: I forgot to pack a change of clothes in my carry-on bag.
UP: I didn't have to pay to store my bags for three days or lug them to a left-luggage facility across town!
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UP: Morocco is beautiful.
