As we wheeled our rolling suitcases towards a boutique hotel that was awarded a Michelin key, we could feel eyes upon us. My husband glanced back at me and gave an awkward smile but we didn’t speak.

Inside the lobby of the hotel located in the middle of a bustling area, several people sitting in the bar area sneered at us as we checked in. They looked me up and down and twisted their faces in disapproval. Yet, we ignored them as we prepared to head to our room to celebrate our anniversary. 

It was my idea for us to visit the Saratoga Springs, NY area for a quick weekend trip. I had know others who’d been there and I had heard nice things. None of the comments came from any person of color though. Our negative interactions made me think that perhaps it was open secret that POC don’t visit.

The next day as we exited the lobby, an older white lady drew her purse close to her body as she entered the elevator while I exited. 

“Does she really think I’m going to rob her when I am a guest here?” I wondered. “WOW.”

I recounted what happened to my husband as we exited the building to head to Lake George. 

The sun danced on top of the water as we walked down the hill from the Battlefield Park visitors center.  It was stunningly beautiful sight. The only things that detracted from our surroundings were glares from people who clearly didn’t like see us together. As we sat on a wall near Fort William Henry eating ice cream, people attending the vintage car show exchangeable looks and mumbles as they passed us. After about 15 minutes, I could see the sparkle fade from my husband’s blue eyes.

“Do you want to leave?” He asked.

“No, if you want to see the fort we will see it.”

“We really haven’t seen any black people at all, have we?” He asked.

“Nope,” I replied. “No one of any other race at all.” 

By day three, the judgemental eyes on us as we walked the streets dominated our conversations. In the 15 years we’d been an interracial couple, we’d never experienced this level of micro-aggressions. We had became hyperaware of the reaction we were getting from servers, police officers we and treatment my husband received when he was alone versus with me. Still, we kept trying to shake things off and enjoy our time together. 

When the time came for us to check out of our hotel, my husband was brash with the valet. It was totally unlike him so I asked why he was rude to the kid. He told me that when he went out to smoke a cigarette earlier in the day he’d heard the valet and several others discussing our presence. He said the valet remarked, “he’s the one who brought her.” 

We wheeled our suitcases back to the car in silence. I was proud that we kept our cool all weekend, that we stood united against prejudice and still managed to have a good time celebrating our union. 

(P.s. I’ve been in situations where I was one of a few who look like me my whole life. I never give in to ignorance. I dont let it make me feel uncomfortable in my own skin or give up my plans. I ensure my safety and march on)

#saratogasprings #weekendgetaways #interracialmarriage #microaggressions #anniversary #thisisamerica #racism #blackwomentravel