Is it "casual racism" to notice that someone looks different and to be curious about it? The author says there was nothing negative about it and the people are

Is it "casual racism" to notice that someone looks different and to be curious about it? The author says there was nothing negative about it and the people are friendly. She also complains that "they recognize me here" as opposed to her preferred "being invisible" in San Francisco. Uhm... what did you expect?