Dear Angelika,

Life on the road is truly incredible, I don't know how to put it into words. Seeing the world, getting out of our small town, it's everything I hoped it would be and more. The places are beautiful, some of them green and colorful with nature as far as the eye can see, some of them gray with buildings all around, which can be a bit disconcerting...but it's all different, and that is better. Anything that isn't home is better for me.

The people are nice too...mostly. They come to our shows with wonder in their heart and an excitement to see something that they wouldn't normally see. A break from the mundane nature of their everyday lives. They 'ooh' and 'aah' at the animals, treating their trainers like they are gods. They watch the performers who can do crazy things with their bodies with wide eyes and happy expressions. The clowns are seen as funny little characters that might be found at the end of a child's bed, treated with child-like amusement.

Personally, I find the clowns quite terrifying. All that makeup...it makes me shudder. But I suppose it isn't like I'm going to find a clown at the bottom of my bed. Not unless I invite one...

Ooh, that probably made me sound really bad, didn't it?

I'm not like that. Not really. I never thought about that sort of thing before...but here, everyone is at it. It doesn't matter what anyone looks like, what their lives might be like, or what ailments they may or may not suffer, they are all enjoying one another's company. Even the freaks. Actually, they might be the worst of them all, I haven't decided yet.

Speaking of the freaks...they are the only people that I have seen be treated quite badly by the public. People act like they aren't human and that the vicious words which spill out of their mouths can't hurt them. They criticize the parts of them that haven't been afflicted badly, calling the boy with claw hands fat and mocking the bearded lady's dress sense, almost as if they get a kick out of making them feel bad about their life choices on top of everything else.

I always thought that I had a sheltered life, but at least I know that words spoken can have the most damaging effect of all. Physical injuries fade—and trust me, I have seen some of those dealt out too during my time traveling—but mental scars are the ones that will always last.

As for me? Well, right now I am observing all of this madness, enjoying the fun parts and doing what I can to ignore the bad. I am just one person, what difference can I make to the world? I am alone, trying to create a piece of entertainment. I do not have any power.

I'm sure it will be fine anyway. The world will slowly become a more tolerant place.

It has to, doesn't it?

Lots of love,

Diamonique.