Observations from Sea World

While we had a wonderful time at Sea World, I made several mental notes over the course of our 3 day adventure that I would like to share with my world. In such a multi cultural city like San Antonio, I was very surprised to be such a focus of attention for many people we encountered.

As we prepared to check out of the hotel, I noticed an older woman (late 60's) staring at the girls. For whatever reason, her gaze moved from the children to me as she sat eating breakfast. I immediately caught her eye and chirped, "Good morning!" with a painfully large smile pained across my face. She looked away, which was my intention. Our family was obviously a nuisance in the breakfast area of the hotel with 3 kids, a lot of plates, and a defiant almost 2 year old so I am not surprised by the number of looks and stares we received while eating breakfast. Sea World, though, was a whole different story.

I noticed more interracial couples at Sea World than I have ever seen anywhere in my life. Black and white, black and Hispanic, white and Hispanic. It should also be noted that I have never seen as many strollers as I did at Sea World. Seriously, Graco should conduct every test and trial at this stroller mecca. We only saw one other gay couple, which is unusual in such a giant place. We were the focus of many stares with very few friendly smiles. I definitely felt the spot light. I wonder if the girls did too or were they so focused on the rides and the shows that they didn't pick up on it. Who knows. I am sure Dr. Steve, who we also saw at Sea World, would say the girls can feel the tension/attention, but there were so many distractions that I can't be sure.

So many times I wanted to engage folks in a conversation, to make them aware of the staring, which is rude. I also wanted to use these moments as teaching ones to bring awareness to the issues of transracial parenting. Unfortunately or fortunately, I was in mommy mode. I wasn't there to educate or enlighten. I was there to have a good time with my kiddos and we did. I am more aware than ever how special our family is and how unique we appear to be to much of the world. The irony is we are more alike than different.