Brooklyn. Barcelona. Belgrade.

greetings from salvador, bahia! just want to say thank you for sharing your experiences via twitter and tumblr. they especially give me comfort as a blk american woman living and studying abroad, often feeling strange and alien--even in salvador. your tweet about being stared at resonated. its often because of my hair that i get looks. im working on a way to deal with the stares beyond: looking down while i walk, staring back and growling, or being on the verge of tears. your positivity helps. :

Danyeeeezy, I hope you’re keeping journals, travelogues or whatevers of your experiences in Salvador! I’ve heard so many women of color say they “fit right in in Salvador”, so I’m so intrigued by what you’re experiencing. Also, I feel for you. The staring in Macedonia took me down hard, so I’ve gone for full on engagement this time, smiling & saying hello to EVERYONE. No time to stare with your mouth open when you’re trying to formulate a greeting. Especially if you’re scrambling to put together some English. I’ve had experiences that left me growling and teary eyed, but I’ve stopped internalizing that shit. A bit tiring at times, but literally forcing people to see you as a sentient being (as in, NOT an object to be ogled), works way better.

Anyway, I’ll be following your experience! So intrigued…you host couch surfers, shawty ;-)…

1 note
Leave Note / Reblog