"Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." -H.T. Whitman

My perspective of women wearing the veil in Morocco has changed with my new understanding. Three University-aged Moroccan girls shared lunch with us at the DARNA our first day in Tangier and the question came up, "Why do you not wear the veil, while you two do?" First of all, all women in Morocco have the choice; it is not an act of male suppression. Covering parts of the face is not a part of Islam either. This highly symbolic act sends the message, "Judge me by my thoughts and who I am, not my body." Along with wearing the veil, comes the commitment to dress in a conservative way, without bright colors, revealing garments or attractive clothing. And these young women articulated well-informed opinions eloquently in a language foreign to them. Very impressive! I never knew the significance, but now I have great respect for this custom. And even the girl who did not wear the veil, dressed just as conservatively as the others and sent the message that she wanted to be judged not by her body, but by her brains. All three possessed this impressive air of confidence and tolerance and I hope to build my confidence to be as comfortable with myself as they were. They were eager to engage in discussion and express themselves, but also understood the value of accepting others' opinions as well. I am looking fwd to getting their e-mails soon, since I have so many more questions for them.