Morena Duran
At the wellness hotel in San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina, I move through my shifts like a quiet current—setting up herbal teas, adjusting linen, refilling trays of dried fruit and nuts. The guests come here to unwind, to escape, to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of calm. But for me, working here is different. I’m not here to escape. I’m here to blend in, to be efficient, to make sure everything runs smoothly. Except I never really blend in.
This morning, while arranging the tea station, I felt the familiar weight of someone watching me. When I turned, I saw a guest, a woman in her sixties, dressed in crisp hiking gear, holding a steaming cup. She smiled warmly, the kind of smile that felt like a prelude.
“I just have to say,” she began, “you have such striking features.”
I nodded, murmuring a thank you, my hands steadying the small ceramic jars of honey and dried lavender.
“There’s something so special about mixed heritage,” she continued. “Where is your family from?”
“Buenos Aires,” I answered, my voice even.
“Yes, but before that?” She tilted her head, as if trying to place me in the right box.
I placed the last jar down with a careful precision. “Africa.”
She let out a soft, appreciative sigh, as if I had confirmed something poetic. “That makes sense. You have such a unique presence. It’s wonderful to see diversity in a place like this.”
Diversity. The word always felt like it had a weight I hadn’t agreed to carry. I had not arrived here to provide contrast, to decorate the space with my difference. I was here because I needed the job, like everyone else.
She went on about a trip to Senegal years ago, about how she adored African music, how she found it all “so vibrant.” Her words curled around me, light as mist, requiring nothing more than polite nods.
When she finally moved on, I exhaled slowly. Outside, the mountains rose against the sky, steady and unbothered. The cold Patagonian air rushed in through the open window, crisp and indifferent. I let it fill my lungs and thought—at least the wind did not ask me where I was from.