Lori L. Tharps - Kinky Gazpacho: Life, Love & Spain

Magazine writer and editor Lori Tharps was born and raised in the comfortable but mostly White suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she was often the only person of color in her school and neighborhood. At an early age, Lori decided that her destiny would be discovered in Spain. She didnt know anyone from Spain, had never visited the country, and hardly spoke the language. Still, she never faltered in her plans to escape to the Iberian Peninsula.
Arriving in the country as an optimistic college student, however, Lori soon discovers Spains 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 doesnt matter are shattered. The story would end there, except Lori meets and marries a Spaniard, and thats when her true Spanish adventure really begins.
Against the ancient backdrops of Cdiz and Andaluca, 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 isnt exactly waiting with open arms.Kinky Gazpachotells the story of the redeeming power of love and finding self in the most unexpected places.
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 asUnder the Tuscan Sun, this book also unveils a unique and untold history of Spains enduring connection to West Africa.Kinky Gazpachocelebrates the mysticism of travel and the joys of watching two distinct cultures connect and come together.