Arriving in the country as an optimistic college student, however, Lori soon discovers Spain's particular attitude toward Blackness. She is chased down the street by the local schoolchildren and pointed at incessantly in public, and her innocent dreams of a place where race doesn't matter are shattered. The story would end there, except Lori meets and marries a Spaniard, and that's when her true Spanish adventure really begins.

Against the ancient backdrops of Cádiz andAndalucía, Lori starts the intricate yet amusing journey of rekindling her love affair with Spain and becoming a part of her new Spanish family. From a grandmother who spies on her to a grandfather who warmly welcomes her to town with a slew of racist jokes, the close-knit clan isn't exactly waiting with open arms. Kinky Gazpacho tells the story of the redeemingpower of love and finding self in the most unexpectedplaces.

At its heart, this is a love story. It is a memoir, a travel essay, and a glimpse into the past and present of Spain. As humorous and entertaining as such favorite travel stories as Under the Tuscan Sun, this book also unveils a unique and untold history of Spain's enduring connection to West Africa. Kinky Gazpacho celebrates the mysticism of travel and the joys of watching two distinct cultures connect and come together.

Contents

Author's Note

1: International Day

2: Josephine Baker Was My Hero

3: Almost Africa

4: Quique

5: Black Like Me

6: Dreaming en Español

7: Sally

8: La Morena

9: If You Want My Body, and You Think I'm Sexy'?»...

10: Rupert

11: La Reconquista

12: Guess Who's Coming to la Cena?

13: Love. Life.

14: How Do You Say "Aunt Jemima" in Spanish?

15: Black to the Beginning

16: Kinky Gazpacho

Epilogue

Acknowledgments