It's easy for me to begin feeling like royalty here. The hotel I'm staying at is 5 star, which is a stark contrast to the establishments I usually select when travelling abroad, where I'm more likely to be wrestling rats for the covers than received a chocolate-sealed turn-down. Everywhere I go, it's 'Let me get that for you, Mr. Box' or 'Good morning, sir'. Very posh.
Now, I have no issue adjusting to a lifestyle of luxury, but for Mike it has been a struggle. He is more of 'I'll do it myself, no need to make a big fuss' and is flummoxed by offers to carry his bags or make his bed up every night and makes every effort to avoid it. We have a hired driver to take us around town, and often we must leave him waiting until we've done whatever task we had at hand. Again, this made him uncomfortable - it's just not done in our culture.
Now, I agree there are excesses. When we arrived at our hotel, we were pleased to find three complimentary bottles of water awaiting us. I downed a couple to quench my thirst, and the next day they were replenished. But I never did get around to drinking those, and the day after they had friends. And more the next day. It is now the 4th day of staying at the hotel and there is a veritable bottle army overwhelming my room - I count their numbers at no less than 15 strong.
I've got another week-and-a-half here, and the perverse side of me wants to know how many they'll leave before declaring enough to be enough. Stay tuned.
Now, I have no issue adjusting to a lifestyle of luxury, but for Mike it has been a struggle. He is more of 'I'll do it myself, no need to make a big fuss' and is flummoxed by offers to carry his bags or make his bed up every night and makes every effort to avoid it. We have a hired driver to take us around town, and often we must leave him waiting until we've done whatever task we had at hand. Again, this made him uncomfortable - it's just not done in our culture.
Now, I agree there are excesses. When we arrived at our hotel, we were pleased to find three complimentary bottles of water awaiting us. I downed a couple to quench my thirst, and the next day they were replenished. But I never did get around to drinking those, and the day after they had friends. And more the next day. It is now the 4th day of staying at the hotel and there is a veritable bottle army overwhelming my room - I count their numbers at no less than 15 strong.
I've got another week-and-a-half here, and the perverse side of me wants to know how many they'll leave before declaring enough to be enough. Stay tuned.
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