Its not that I am so deprived of money that I welcome a wage that is probably 2-3 times less than America's current standard. And its also not that I'm bursting with laughter that I'm getting paid for doing absolutely nothing, because I would beg to differ that I get a lot done during my 8.5 hour work shift. It's just that I am really happy that I can work what I would like to describe as a "virgin job" - which connotes the way that I work this month. When I say virgin job I mean it in the most non literal way possible, meaning that I don't have to worry about anything except for showing up to work, presenting myself in an acceptable way, and obviously correctly executing tasks efficiently. I don't have to worry about electric bills, plumbing mishaps, car insurance, kids, nagging wife/wives, food, and the IRS. All I have to do is wake up and go to work. Come to think of it, after 4 years of college and perhaps a couple more years of graduate studies I'll have to worry about the aforementioned things for the rest of my life. Work sure is good now.
But one of the questions that may be lingering in your minds is this: Why is an 18 year old American high school graduate working abroad, and worst of all why Asia? The cost of Asia is decidedly lower than America and other Western countries but that doesn't really help since the wages are lower and I only visit Asia once a year. If I was looking for the best solution I would stay in America and find a low pay job - which is still significantly higher pay than what I am doing now. The amount of money I make in a month won't even cover the cost of the plane ticket that got me here. So why am I doing this job? I really don't know why. The hotel management industry let alone the service industry has nothing to do with my intended career path (well it might if I plan on going for a MBA). But let me say this: I am happy.
What is the purpose of working then? I would like to rebuke this question by answering that it shows us how hard it is for us to make money. This job will change me.
I spent a month playing around from Beijing to Taiwan. And then I spent another month working an honest man's job in a five star hotel. The pay was cheap and the hours were long, but the people there were among the truest, most honest people I have ever met in my life. The hotel likes to attract handfuls of college students into some sort of co-op job opportunity. Most of the time we're just standing around waiting for something to happen. The rest of the time we're opening doors for German aviation engineers who travel in and out of the EVA maintenance facilities. There's also plenty of face time with airline crews. And when I say airline crews, I mean flight attendants.
These are the airline companies that we accommodate every night: Air Macau, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Thailand Airlines, Vietnam Airlines. Their significance is roughly in that order. Once you hang around the front long enough you can get a feel of the physical characteristics of each company. Airline crews typically check-in at night and hang around for a day then leave the following night or the morning after that. That being said, virtually every Asian female from between the age of 20-30 who stays in our hotel is a flight attendant.
Now, let me say that by dwelling around the front door for a month I have noticed a couple things. When Vietnam Airlines checks in at 9:00 pm they immediately raise their index finger and say, "could you call a taxi for me?"
Part 2 continues later tonight...
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