You may at one time find yourself venturing into the deep interiors of America, wondering what the heck you're doing there and if you'll make it out alive.
I have gone South...and returned, bearing photographs aplenty.
Here is a truth-tell of how to experience the South as a Yankee, a city slicker, and - of course - an Asian.
GENERAL
Shame on you Los Angeles and New York. The South beats you by spades in politeness. One creepy thing Southerners do is look you in the eye when they speak to you! Like they actually care that you're a human! What is that?!
CHARLESTON
Nervous about landing in a state that proudly flies the Confederate flag? "Chas" is a bit of an uncomfortable place to be Asian - because you'll be the only one. In EVERY SINGLE place you visit. We definitely received double takes and awkward stares. Fun place to see American history, but lacking greatly in diversity.
NASHVILLE
New blog friend Joy is moving to Nashville, and I'm happy to report that the music capital is a fairly comfortable place to be Asian. The 3 colleges, including nationally known Vanderbilt, brings in enough hipster-wannabes that you can pretend you're in Venice, CA. Nobody bats an eye when you walk into a restaurant, and you can even play Spot the Asian about once a day.
