We’ve been in the Middle East for the past three weeks and although we’ve only scratched the surface of this region, I come away with impressions and memories that will last a lifetime. It’s impossible not to relate everything we have seen to the lives we lead in America. Here are the top five things I’ve learned about life in America compared to life in the Middle East.

1. I am so happy to pay taxes in the United States in return for the many freedoms we have. Every country we visited has incredible benefits due to the wealth oil has brought to this area (except Jordan). In all the United Arab Emirates (UAE) countries, people born in the country from parents born in the country (known as Nationals) enjoy the following benefits: no one pays any property, sales or income taxes; interest-free loans are available for purchase of homes; gas is subsidized and folks pay about 60 cents per gallon; healthcare and education are free; nationals are often given property or homes; cost of food is subsidized; in Kuwait you can retire after working just 10 years; jobs are given to nationals by the government. And many of these jobs were described to us as being pretty easy. Most government workers go to work at 9 am and leave at 2 or 3 pm.

However wonderful these benefits sound to us, there are freedoms not available to most Middle Easterners that we take for granted in the US. All countries are operated by ruling families — some of which have been in power since the 1700s. No one seems to know much about these families. The Sultan of Oman lives in tremendous wealth, but details of his life are kept secret. Our guide in Oman explained: “we couldn’t understand his life, so there is no need for us to know about it.” In Kuwait, we asked our guide about the ruling family and he told us no one knows how many wives or children they have. We do know that when the Gulf War erupted in 1990, they all quickly left for the safety of Saudi Arabia.

The press is really not free. No journalist can criticize the government and certainly no individuals would be wise to lash out against any leaders or government officials. In the UAE, there were cameras everywhere and we were told that tickets are issued quite frequently.

2. Thank God America has separation of church and state. Now I know we aren’t perfect with this freedom, but we’re doing pretty well. We happened to be in the Middle East during Ramadan, the 30-day festival of fasting and religious reflection for Muslims. It is a time when Muslims don’t eat from sun-up to sun-down.

For non-Muslims, it is a time when we must follow the rules set by the governments. These include, no eating, drinking (even water) or chewing gum in public. All restaurants are closed during this time. The only places for non-Muslim tourists to eat lunch are hotel restaurants or room service. When we first arrived in Dubai, we were given the list of rules at our hotel. We had a full day tour and when we got in the car with our guides, we inquired about lunch. (If you know me, you know I NEVER miss lunch — my favorite meal of the day!) We were told we could get fast-food. So when lunch time rolled around, we were dropped off at the local McDonalds, went inside, ordered our lunch and had to bring our bags of burgers and fries out to the car where we were OK to eat — as long as no one saw us eating!

We found these rules to be universal throughout our Middle East trip. So even when strolling through the incredibly huge malls, all the restaurants were closed until sun-down, when everyone was allowed to eat at precisely sundown time.

Dear Jewish friends, I am sorry we overwhelm you with all our Christmas stuff in December. I now understand how you must feel!!!

3. Thank goodness American women are free and equal. Yeah, I know we are paid 79 cents to the dollar and we still don’t really rule corporate America. But, believe me, we are miles ahead of the Middle East. Men here are the center of the universe. Most women stay home with the kids. Homes are built with huge walls around them, so the women can come out in the evening without cover and spend time with their families.

Women are not allowed to pray in the mosques near the men. We were told men would not be able to focus on their prayers if they could look at women. American Moms, thank you for teaching your sons to have self-control.

But at least we get to wear whatever we want. I really do get the modest dress thing. Being covered would be great when you are having a bad hair day or just don’t want to dress up. But I gotta say, do my forearms and my hair really turn men on so much that they can’t control themselves? Enough said.

4. Thank you, America, for restricting cigarette smoking! Arabic restaurants have a smoking and non-smoking section and hotels still allow smoking in the rooms. Yikes!

5. How wonderful it is to live in a country with a varied terrain. Don’t get me wrong. I love me a desert and some sand. But except for Jordan and Oman, there is a heck of a lot of same, same.

All this said, the people here are wonderful and kind. When you realize that most of the Middle East was just a rural fishing village with no real wealth or assets just 60 years ago, you have to recognize how much has yet to change and develop. Once oil was discovered in the late 1930s and brought to market in the late 1940s and 50s, things changed rapidly. While I love so much of the development and modernization we have now, some of the old ways are still charming and admirable.

Come see for yourself. The Middle East is safe and easy to visit. Just bring an open mind and don’t come during Ramadan!