friendship trip

had lunch with a Zimbabwean and a Ghanaian. they said that at the African pavilion, some Chinese people will use a finger to try to rub the black off of their skin. the Chinese don't believe their skin color is real because their palms are lighter in color. the Ghanaian said that he has been asked whether his blood is red. i was amazed by the Africans' patience and general graciousness. i certainly do not exhibit the same good-naturedness whenever expo visitors do not consider Chinese-Americans to be real Americans.

i asked the Germans what Hamburg is famous for and they said they have a very notable red light district, the Reeperbahn. women are not allowed in past its gates. if they go in, water and condoms are thrown at them.

on the three-hour bus ride home, an Iranian man asked me whether my friend also on the trip, ryan, was my husband and told me that LA is actually Irangeles because of the two million Iranians who live there. i loled.