Here, you could be anyone.
As often happens when you are in a different place,
the disparity between how you see yourself and how
you are being perceived stretches into an ever widening
gap. In this mirror is someone glimpsing mortality-for
this person who, if not a wreck, is creeping toward
inevitable collision-the flaws and imperfections
standing out in even greater relief. It might perhaps
be explained by the fatigue of travel, the bathroom
lighting, or the type of reflective glass-for how
could what you see be so different in this country?
Conversely, you are ogled and scrutinized to a much
greater extent here-people approach and want to buy
you drinks, or have a conversation. This rarely happens
in your day-to-day life, although you are often a
solitary figure in that as well.