Not to sound dramatic, but it’s been a long day: So, normally I would never really feel bad about being brown (besides the N-Sync days where I yearned to be a white girl named Samantha so I would have a chance with one of the boy band members); however, today I felt so strange about being an Indian girl in Hong Kong. So, I went out with my friend to try to find some warm clothes and we went to go look for a heater. I had NO idea where to look so I decided to approach a few locals to ask where I could find a heater. I have never really been the type to see myself as intimidating (or even as a girl that most people would avoid)…I mean I know I come off as shy and reserved sometimes, but today I had a confused look on my face and I just needed some guidance (the look on my face was nowhere near hostile)! But, let me tell you…every single person I even attempted to make eye contact with looked the other way. I even tried approaching a few people and got mean looks and even got straight up ignored. I don’t know what it is, but I don’t feel particularly welcome here sometimes. It’s a sad reality, but I think some of the people here (there are a few ABC’s, as well) seem a little racist when it comes to people of color. Is it my dark skin? Is it that I come off as someone threatening? Who knows? But, it’s an interesting observation that I have made.
Another thing that I noticed that kind of goes along the lines of getting not-so-preferential treatment is the service in restaurants. The waitresses/waiters here are far from friendly. Today for example, I had to flag down a waiter 3 times before he actually came over to me. I just wanted the damn check, but he completely ignored me and kept giving me these hostile glares. I understand that the language barrier makes a huge difference. I wonder if these waiters are just afraid to come up to English speaking customers because they are afraid to use their English? I’m not quite sure what the case is, but I kind of miss being pampered and bombarded with fake friendliness at restaurants in the U.S. I know that waiters have to be nice at home because they want good tips…In Hong Kong, tips are not given, so I guess waiters don’t necessarily have to pretend to like their jobs. It’s sad, but I kind of wish they were friendlier so I can actually enjoy my meals and I might even TIP them if I get good service!
On another note, it’s super cold in Hong Kong (I heard it’s the coldest November in 10 years!)…This weather is perfect to sleep all day and drink delicious, warm chai tea lattes…YUM…where’s my chai latte powder when I need it?! :/ Hope you all are warm wherever you are…I’ll be dreaming of the nice, tropical Philippines beaches that I left behind last weekend! 
