Pictured: A large mural of the Palestinian flag with a reference to Geurnika by Pablo Picasso.

Basque word of the Day: Askatu- Freedom/Liberation

Things are going well here. The Chinese friend I mentioned in the previous post is now my bestie. We’ve been hanging out daily and she even offered to host me in China so I could visit her family! I told her I plan to take her up on this once I get my Spanish citizenship in a few months.

She knows I’m gay/trans and she wants to be a matchmaker, “I will help you find a good man!”

I’ve been thriving here and every day I’m so happy that I managed to escape Burger Land.

HOWEVER: By having a Chinese friend I have been exposed to good ole sinophobia and racism. A dude at the bar asked me “why the Chinese? Why are you with Chinese people?”

We’ve been harassed by the elderly when we tried to study in a cafe. I’ve been pestered for looking not Basque enough (though I think in this case it’s because of anti-tourism sentiment in the region), and we’ve gotten dirty looks for just… hanging out?

Granted, most of it is from cranky old men. The rest is from general assholes. Most people have been chill, especially younger people, but after coming from the USA the bold racism is a culture shock and frankly- fucking annoying.