Nothing prepared me for it. Seriously, did I really just hear him say that? I turn my face and try not to show any emotion and keep walking.

We've been told to expect it. Cultural diversity doesn't exactly exist here in Spain. The population is very homogeneous. I already stick out like a sore thumb because I dress like an American and speak Spanish with an American accent, but add being Asian on top of that and you get a very uncomfortable girl. The first couple days were hard because I could feel their eyes cut into my skin. Their stares were long and were never accompanied with a smile. I feel like a novelty when I am here. In the U.S., the Asian population is very small compared to other groups however it is far greater than it is here in Spain. I feel like there may be 100 Asians in the entire country. Our program director explained to us during orientation that we'd hear words like "moreno" "chinita" etc, but it hadn't really occurred to me til a man said it to me at the discoteca last Friday. I was casually leaving the dance floor and through my right ear I hear, " ayy hola Chinita!" I had been forewarned but it still caught me off guard. I'm not sure if he meant it to be insulting and in a rude way because he smiled and tried to dance with me. It automatically took me back to being 13 years old. I am sitting on the yellow school bus after school and the boy behind me yells "Chinita chinita" and other Spanish words into my ear. I swat his face with the back of my hand and proceeded to ignore him after that. Obviously, in this case the little boy was being a stupid kid and trying to be a bully. My bus driver told me he probably had a crush on me and to not let it bother me, so I didn't. I don't know if i was offended that the man at the discoteca said that word to me or because I was taken back to middle school or because my insecurities about being an Asian in Spain were getting the best of me. I've learned that the Spanish are incredibly direct and honest and open. The program director told us to not be offended if our homestay families made direct comments like "I don't like your hair" or "You need to eat more" etc. Luckily, my homestay family loves my hair because they compliment me on it all the time even though it looks like absolute shit, and I don't have my Chi to straighten it. The Spanish do not like to sugar coat. I'd like to think I've always had pretty tough skin, but I am definitely developing tougher skin while being here. I can't allow little names or comments to bother me. It's just they way of culture here and maybe a little direct kick here and there isn't so bad. I might even go as far to say it has been slightly enlightening to hear such candor and honesty. Another day, another Experience. I am learning so much about myself.