Life lessons in an elevator

I went to the mall today to go to the Etisalat counter to complain that Elle's cell phone is still not working (after making at least 7 phone calls over the past 5 days). Of course there is a sign on their computer that says "System Down, Closed." I ask if they know when the system will be up or if they can help me. I get one response "No." So off to do other things because I've learned there is no sense in asking more questions. I come back about 45 minutes later and there is a LONG line and still the same signs. I am holding heavy bags and I need to get home becuase the dish washer man says he is going ot be at our villa at 1pm.

I get in the lift (elevator) to head to the car park (parking garage). There is a little Indian (I think but not entirely sure) man in the lift holding the door open for me. He tells me that I need a tolley (shopping cart). I shrug and say "Good exercise" while I raise and lower my bags of groceries. He say "English?" I contemplate what he means. I respond, "American." His eyes get big. He says "Oh you lucky! You go, you take me with you. I go there my whole life will change."

I thought about the exchange while drivng home to meet the dishwasher man that at 2:30pm still has not shown up. We are very lucky to be born in America. We could have been born in India, grow up with no education, and work in the blazing hot sun every day for pennies a day.

This is the kind of thing that we moved here to learn. I hope that Dani and Elle will take this kind of thing to heart. They are American girls who have FAR more choices that most girls in the world and they have lavish things like cell phones. But still I want the darned cell phone to work so you know this lavish American will be back at the cell phone counter tomorrow asking them to fix it. :)