Things I (Don't) Have

When I come to a new place, my initial instinct is to compare it to a place I have just been. My initial impressions:

Things I have in Kosovo that I also had in Moldova

• Semi-paved streets
• Delicious Turkish snacks
• Duvet covers instead of sheets
• “Fairy” brand dishwashing liquid
• Convenient markets on every corner
• Miscellaneous Turkish television shows
• A ten-minute walk to work
• Nice and interesting coworkers

Things I have in Kosovo that I didn’t have in Moldova

• Lights with motion-sensors in my hallway!
• My own office
• Turkish coffee
• Television channels in English
• Television channels in French
• Slovenian beer
• Çevapi (a Balkan food that resembles a cylindrical meatball)
• An elevator in my building
• Euros
• A balcony
• Tasty street food such as döner
• English-speaking waiters and store clerks
• Deadwood on TV (with Albanian subtitles)
• Чайник (electric tea kettle)

Things I had in Moldova that I don’t (yet) have in Kosovo

• Speakers for my iPod
• Fluency in the local language
• Towels
• A language tutor
• Тапочки (slippers)
• Peace Corps volunteers
• Fulbright friends
• Pelmeni in my freezer