Is it Really is Time to Go to Outer Space

Is it Really Time to Go to Outer space or Just Leave The USA.

The frustrations of living in the USA, who knows, maybe the world of today is scream worthy. It seems not a day goes by that frustrations don’t threaten one’s sanity. I mean it’s everywhere. From the internet provider you pay every month for service that barely works to the $140,000 Tesla that gets stuck on the parking lot when the key fob fails to the businesses that care less about customer service as long as you keep paying your bill. And if you threaten to cancel the service you can’t because they have a monopoly in the area. Then there are the billion dollar businesses that have no clue that on the other end of their billion dollars are customers not robots

I’ve already written about my Airbnb experience. Airbnb is a company that rents out properties it doesn’t even inspect before recommending them. Hopefully you don’t show up and you’ve rented a pizza parlor…it has happened…and if you did…may the power be with you because Airbnb won't. The vacation you had so meticulously planned for R&R goes right out the window, disintegrating into a screaming match with a parrot on the other end of the line who says… “we are so sorry you are experiencing this but there is nothing we can do.”

My latest frustration is with Hilton Hotels. Last week I had to be in D.C. and rented a room at the Hampton Inn Navy Yard, only six miles from where my appointment was going to be. When I booked the hotel through Booking.com, there was no big sign that said the premise was dog friendly but even if it were, I would have imaged any good business would have designated floors for people who love their pets so much they have to be in a hotel room with them. I am not taking issues with pet lovers but maybe the smart business would have the foresight to designate say floors 1–5 for people with pets and the rest as normal rooms. Not Hampton Inn. A dog can be in any room in the hotel. So, I go to my appointment and return for a good night’s sleep to get on the road the next morning. No sooner I am ensconced in bed, I feel my body going into allergic mode. My eyes are watering, my throat tightens, my skin begins to itch. I am allergic to dogs, and to be honest most things so I get to carry paraphernalia for such attacks such as EpiPens, Zyrtec. etc. When I complained, I was told to talk to booking.com! I mean talk about passing the buck. If you allow booking .com to sell you inventory you are still responsible! I assure this is my last time at the Hampton Inns. Increasingly I keep hearing myself say this is the last time for a host of things. Why is everything so difficult?

Last winter I lived in Mexico for six months. I never screamed once. The country that needs a wall was progressive and life was easy. So, is it the culture of caring and not technology or the size of the company that makes a difference? On Sundays in Merida, they shut down the main street so families can come out and ride their bikes together, visit with local artist, eat at restaurants, listen to music and shop at the farmer’s market. My internet was perfect and faster than any I’ve used here in New York! People were friendly and helpful and there was a throwback kindness that permeated the culture. The decisions made by the people in power appear to be people friendly so screaming is optional. So I’ve concluded that it’s not the technology but the people and culture that makes a difference. Kindness, humility and caring goes a long way in enhancing one’s quality of life.

I’ve lived on a few continents for extended periods of time and can say this “we don’t care” attitude and shoddy service of the business we patronize are not common. Many times these countries are as technologically advanced if not more, so what is the problem here in the USA, the superpower of annoyances that makes life unbearable? From business to politics from hatred to ultra-narcissism to the kinds of macro and microaggression in this country life is wearing on the soul.

Maybe I won’t put in a bid for outer space. I hear a lot of the crazies (billionaires) are headed there. I think I’d rather find a lovely third world country where life is simple, people are friendly, food is organic, and business are welcoming. Maybe when I find it, I will build a wall…to keep out the megalomaniacs who run this country and believe money =happiness. It does not.