Skin colour

7 August 2011

We flew from Los Angeles at 1715 on United Airlines to Mexico City. At check-in I was asked if I’d like to nominate one piece of my two pieces of luggage as “must go” in case one piece gets left behind due to weight restrictions. We had both pieces against my name rather than Kim’s (or one each) as I had an extra allowance due to the status I had acquired with all the domestic work flights. But I thought it was very good of United to alert us to this possibility so that we could repack any more essential items.

While waiting for the flight at airline’s lounge, a Caribbean-born African-American lady working there started chatting to us.  She said that I have a beautiful tan … would it be right for me to say that she has a nicer, fuller, deeper one? One doesn’t talk about skin colour these days. Too un-PC.

After landing at Mexico City at 2259, I changed some money airside at the arrival hall, fearing that there may not be any further facilities.  To my disappointment, I found that the exchange places landside offered much better rates.  Aarrrrgghh!

It was around midnight when we arrived at our hostel in the historical city center.  For the whole journey from the airport, every shop was closed and shuttered.  It didn’t look like a safe place for walking around at night!

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