I decided to create a new thread to describe the actual on site experience Zombie13 endured, for those who might have to travel to a similar 3rd world country atmosphere location, either in Mexico or other areas of the world.
Zombie asked me to write up an expose of the many terrible travails he had to survive in the course of an abysmal 5-day work trip.
First of all, he was bullied into flying out on a genuine company holiday (one of only 6 annual guaranteed companywide vacation days available to all employees.) He was able to upgrade on Alaska Airlines to a premium economy seat and therefore avoid a cramped leg position which would have made his long standing and squatting movements even more painful than it proved to be. (Whether he will be reimbursed for this upcharge remains to be seen.)
The hotel he was pressured into booking in San Diego turned out to be inconveniently located far from the border in a very sketchy part of town with a lot of homeless denizens and despite clearly listing complimentary breakfast, offered no onsite restaurant or food services at all! The room (bed, bathroom, etc.) according to Zombie was at least clean if barren of extra amenities. He was forced to pay upfront with his CC but upon returning home, after much upper management haggling, mercifully saw the $500+ charge mysteriously vanish from his card.
The rental car, his first BMW, ended up being both uncomfortable and uninspiring to drive. The company made it clear in writing, that under no circumstances could he drive this car or any auto for rent across the border into Mexico, due to high theft and vandalism "concerns".
Each day he drove this very fancy brand to the border, paid to park, and stood in line to cross on foot. Thankfully, the crossing ended up a relatively short wait, and he was met by an AL (local to SD) employee. This gentleman always hailed the battered company taxi, which was abysmally beat up, to drive the two of them to the sprawling Benchmark compound, surrounded by comforting barbwire. Zombie made note of numerous potholes and damaged roads all along the way and said he felt every jolt of the torn-up asphalt during the six rides back and forth to the border crossing.
Never did he appreciate the luxury of living in America until he was compelled to work in Tijuana, he told me only yesterday! He counts this exhausting adventure as the most eye-opening so far of his life - He said he had never seen such poverty, such hopelessness, such resignation to appalling conditions, for which no easy remedy exists.
(To be continued.........)
Zombie asked me to write up an expose of the many terrible travails he had to survive in the course of an abysmal 5-day work trip.
First of all, he was bullied into flying out on a genuine company holiday (one of only 6 annual guaranteed companywide vacation days available to all employees.) He was able to upgrade on Alaska Airlines to a premium economy seat and therefore avoid a cramped leg position which would have made his long standing and squatting movements even more painful than it proved to be. (Whether he will be reimbursed for this upcharge remains to be seen.)
The hotel he was pressured into booking in San Diego turned out to be inconveniently located far from the border in a very sketchy part of town with a lot of homeless denizens and despite clearly listing complimentary breakfast, offered no onsite restaurant or food services at all! The room (bed, bathroom, etc.) according to Zombie was at least clean if barren of extra amenities. He was forced to pay upfront with his CC but upon returning home, after much upper management haggling, mercifully saw the $500+ charge mysteriously vanish from his card.
The rental car, his first BMW, ended up being both uncomfortable and uninspiring to drive. The company made it clear in writing, that under no circumstances could he drive this car or any auto for rent across the border into Mexico, due to high theft and vandalism "concerns".
Each day he drove this very fancy brand to the border, paid to park, and stood in line to cross on foot. Thankfully, the crossing ended up a relatively short wait, and he was met by an AL (local to SD) employee. This gentleman always hailed the battered company taxi, which was abysmally beat up, to drive the two of them to the sprawling Benchmark compound, surrounded by comforting barbwire. Zombie made note of numerous potholes and damaged roads all along the way and said he felt every jolt of the torn-up asphalt during the six rides back and forth to the border crossing.
Never did he appreciate the luxury of living in America until he was compelled to work in Tijuana, he told me only yesterday! He counts this exhausting adventure as the most eye-opening so far of his life - He said he had never seen such poverty, such hopelessness, such resignation to appalling conditions, for which no easy remedy exists.
(To be continued.........)