For some perhaps, but not for me. Not for people like Matt or Jim either, but they were exceptions to the norm.
Some people just had to hate each other and skin color was a good excuse to start the rivalry.
My guide opened a door and I stepped through it. Everything was beyond compare in terms of color and artistry within the room. The tiled floors of the room were so clean I wouldn't have given a second thought about eating a meal off of them.
I was led through a series of rooms until I stepped out onto a veranda that had an ocean view. Traveling along the white railing I came to a table with two chairs. One was occupied by an older man, who rose stiffly as we drew near.
He extended out his hand in the most genuine act of welcome that I had experienced yet and I took it and shook the old man's hand that had a surprisingly firm grasp to it.
"Winston Riley at your service, and who might I have the pleasure of speaking to?" The old man asked.
"Eli Warner." I responded in kind.
He gestured to the second chair and said, "Won't you have a seat and enjoy my ocean view?"
I sat down as I continued to study the older man. He seemed like a genuine individual, even a likable sort.
The governor, for that was who I took him to be, turned slightly to the guide and said dismissively, "You won't be needed any longer Morgan."
Morgan looked hesitant to leave, until the old man gave him a sharp glance that had some steel in it. Morgan hastily left and the governor sat back down in his seat.
He glanced after Morgan's retreating form for a moment before switching his gaze to mine and asking, "Tell me stranger does that man annoy you half as much as he does me with his presence?"
I couldn't help it. I genuinely liked this man and I let it show in the smile that creeped out in response to his question.
He smiled in return, "I see I have my answer."
He glanced out at the sea and asked as a slave girl approached out of seemingly nowhere with a tray of drinks on it, "Well, you've been here all of about an hour now, what do you think of our colony beneath the world above?"
I glanced up at the slave girl dressed in the garb of a housemaid. She was very attractive and very much black. She again must be one of the unpure ones that had some white blood in her.