how quickly the foreign becomes familiar

walking through the hospital today, it struck me that people whose defining features--burqas, turbans, beards--before might have embodied images of "oppression" or "terrorism" now instead look like patients, neighbors, colleagues. i have grown accustomed to driving down dusty streets past ruins of buildings. i feel awkwardly exposed if my chador slips off my head. i feel like i haven't eaten properly i haven't had at least two pieces of naan every day. i rattle off the long string of customary greetings and responses. i give lots of triple kisses.