Although my walking has improved during the last months, I still have quite a big problems with my sense of balance and walking in general, needing a cane. Today I wanted to go to the city all by myself, without Angie or someone else assisting me. So, I slowly walked to the tram stop a few hundred meters away, and took tram to the city. No problems there.
Did some serious window shopping, went to a nice pub to have a pint with two friends of mine, and decided to to take a bus back home. It takes only 12 -14 minutes but because my balance problems, I wanted to sit. Bus was full, not a single seat available. I asked two teenagers sitting next to the exit if they would let me sit. These young men just looked at me, saying nothing. I asked once more, showing my cane and explaining that I have difficulties to stand. One of these civilized youngsters told me, hearing from my accent that I'm not German, simply "Ausländer raus!" and continued to talk with his friend. So I just stood there, not knowing how to react.
"Ausländer raus" is literally "Foreigners out" in English, most often heard and seen in ultra right wing demonstrations. As a white Western European I do not meet racism so often; for the first, if Germans don't hear me talking there's nothing that reveals I'm a foreigner. We Scandinavians look like them. But once again I found myself thinking of some of my dear friends, who have to hear these kind of remarks almost daily, because of another color of the skin or other small things that reveal they are foreigners.
Funny world we have, some people thinking they are better only because of their origin, religion or ethnic background.
Kari
Anyway I have been walking Gracie as usual and I have just started two auctions on Ebay.
