When it comes to the big cities in poor and underprivileged countries, the big cities always make space for their superficial necessities i.e. America's negative influence of fast food chains and American store chains. With stores and restaurants, they form an over sized big building, which we call a Mall, Mega plaza, or entertainment arena. It's a place for the middle class and upper class to go spend money because they have the money to spend on a $14 burger and fries at TGI Fridays and an overpriced shirt from American Eagle.
It's pure sadness to see people spend such money on restaurants and overpriced stores. If they were living in the US, they would have groupons, coupons, and happy hour available to them to save money. As far as clothing and electronic items, they could buy them on Amazon, an outlet, craigslist, and so many other mediums. Instead people are stuck spending double or more for what we buy or eat. Of course, there are markets to buy replica items and cheap local fast food restaurants, but people like and want the real thing. It makes them feel a sense of belonging and feel good.
Perhaps they deserve the high prices for craving this in the first place, but they are human and crave the materialism-it's normal.
As far as La Ceiba, the have three malls or as they call it, "mega plaza." This plaza has three level and contains all your Gap to Sephora to department stores. Perhaps, these Hondurans deserve a mall like everyone else because that is what the world's large cities are moving towards-all having malls or commercial centers. It still is upsetting for someone who sees such poverty amongst these large commercial investments and hubs.
What was I doing at the commercial center? I was looking for a pair of sunglasses that would not break because on the road with all the sun I need to cover my eyes at all times. I brought two pairs-one disappeared and the other broke. This was the recommendation given by my lovely, adorable kind, smart girl from my guesthouse. I always consider the source for my recommendations and I trusted her. She came back to visit her parents for two weeks from Miami as she is studying fashion and design there. We talked about boys, shopping, Miami-such a doll.
So, I arrived at the Mega Plaza and immediately went into the grocery store to get a water. I walked again, which people would not imagine doing, but I did a partial run so it worked out. The store was dirty, things were shelved wrong and expired. I walked outside and asked how this store ended up at the glamorous mega plaza. They were laughing and while their friendly meter was open I asked them if I could borrow a cart. They happily lent it to me and even put my bag inside the cart for me.
Did I really need a car for my couple bags? No.
Was I trying to be entertaining and challenge people? Yes
Testing people on their job, humor, abilities, strengths, honesty, loyalty, ability to listen and analyze, and integrity-that's where I come in and spread some humor and do some testing.
I took the cart going over curbs and causing some commotion in the parking lot. I entered the mall and decided to take a look around for my sunglasses. I watched the security guards keep their eye on me.
When looking in stores, I left my cart outside and it was still there each and every time. The guard in the store said this was strange for him to see the cart in the mall. He let me keep walking around. I did not see an elevator so I tried to bring the cart up the escalator. The older, adorable security guard with glasses said,
"No es possible."
I asked him, "Why not?" I need to bring it upstairs.
He said, "Just leave it downstairs and I will watch it."
Unfortunately, the mall was closed upstairs so I had to immediately come down.
After one hour or so, it was time to leave the mall. I brought my cart outside and saw a Wendy's to the right side. I couldn't just leave my cart there because I had to return it. I decided to bring it with me to Wendy's. In the parking lot, I was followed and stopped by two men.
"Maam we need to take that cart."
"I'm carrying my stuff and I can return it after."
"Maam give up the cart and we'll return it."
They were so serious, but still polite and nice as they were laughing at me. As far as my test, the security officers demonstrated integrity, patience, humor, and professionalism. If this happened in the US, they might have me in a white security car with flashing lights headed to the police station. Love these Honduran folk- chilled out and fun to test.
It's pure sadness to see people spend such money on restaurants and overpriced stores. If they were living in the US, they would have groupons, coupons, and happy hour available to them to save money. As far as clothing and electronic items, they could buy them on Amazon, an outlet, craigslist, and so many other mediums. Instead people are stuck spending double or more for what we buy or eat. Of course, there are markets to buy replica items and cheap local fast food restaurants, but people like and want the real thing. It makes them feel a sense of belonging and feel good.
Perhaps they deserve the high prices for craving this in the first place, but they are human and crave the materialism-it's normal.
As far as La Ceiba, the have three malls or as they call it, "mega plaza." This plaza has three level and contains all your Gap to Sephora to department stores. Perhaps, these Hondurans deserve a mall like everyone else because that is what the world's large cities are moving towards-all having malls or commercial centers. It still is upsetting for someone who sees such poverty amongst these large commercial investments and hubs.
What was I doing at the commercial center? I was looking for a pair of sunglasses that would not break because on the road with all the sun I need to cover my eyes at all times. I brought two pairs-one disappeared and the other broke. This was the recommendation given by my lovely, adorable kind, smart girl from my guesthouse. I always consider the source for my recommendations and I trusted her. She came back to visit her parents for two weeks from Miami as she is studying fashion and design there. We talked about boys, shopping, Miami-such a doll.
So, I arrived at the Mega Plaza and immediately went into the grocery store to get a water. I walked again, which people would not imagine doing, but I did a partial run so it worked out. The store was dirty, things were shelved wrong and expired. I walked outside and asked how this store ended up at the glamorous mega plaza. They were laughing and while their friendly meter was open I asked them if I could borrow a cart. They happily lent it to me and even put my bag inside the cart for me.
Did I really need a car for my couple bags? No.
Was I trying to be entertaining and challenge people? Yes
Testing people on their job, humor, abilities, strengths, honesty, loyalty, ability to listen and analyze, and integrity-that's where I come in and spread some humor and do some testing.
I took the cart going over curbs and causing some commotion in the parking lot. I entered the mall and decided to take a look around for my sunglasses. I watched the security guards keep their eye on me.
When looking in stores, I left my cart outside and it was still there each and every time. The guard in the store said this was strange for him to see the cart in the mall. He let me keep walking around. I did not see an elevator so I tried to bring the cart up the escalator. The older, adorable security guard with glasses said,
"No es possible."
I asked him, "Why not?" I need to bring it upstairs.
He said, "Just leave it downstairs and I will watch it."
Unfortunately, the mall was closed upstairs so I had to immediately come down.
After one hour or so, it was time to leave the mall. I brought my cart outside and saw a Wendy's to the right side. I couldn't just leave my cart there because I had to return it. I decided to bring it with me to Wendy's. In the parking lot, I was followed and stopped by two men.
"Maam we need to take that cart."
"I'm carrying my stuff and I can return it after."
"Maam give up the cart and we'll return it."
They were so serious, but still polite and nice as they were laughing at me. As far as my test, the security officers demonstrated integrity, patience, humor, and professionalism. If this happened in the US, they might have me in a white security car with flashing lights headed to the police station. Love these Honduran folk- chilled out and fun to test.
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