The Italian customs agents got on at the last stop in France to check travel documents and then departed at the first stop in Italy. In our car, there were six Caucasians of various nationalities and three black African men. The customs officers checked only the documents of three people on our train car. We guessed what they must be saying. I tried, but the language difference would not allow it.
Racism can be so bold and yet so subtle, so cutting and dehumanizing, so stubborn and insidious.
You can't go to Europe without visiting cathedrals. It's not allowed. They are everywhere. Some cathedrals are huge. Some serve primarily as regularly worshipping congregations.