Ines

Works as a maids supervisor at a hotel in Times Square. She loves her job as much as she loves NY. The tourist industry in NY City may have seen its good share of slowdowns over the past decade, especially after 9/11 and most recently as a result of the economic downturn. Ines' job, fortunately, was not affected by either. She remains very satisfied with the benefits that are offered by her company and continues to give her 100% today as she did when she first set foot at the hotel 25 years ago. A valuable word of advice that she likes to share with her son is to love your job because that is the only way you can give it your 100% every day. A very wise advice indeed, especially since I sensed that she meant and lives by her words! She is a very dedicated person and many people would take all the credit but Ines remarked that it is "gracias a Dios" (thanks be to God) that she has been so fortunate.

Over the 25 years that she has been working at the hotel in Times Square she has come across many interesting and peculiar characters. Recently, she responded to a service call and when the guest opened the door, she saw a man who was dressed, tattooed, pierced and spoke or growled like a tiger. I think Ines was referring to the Cat Man, described by Times Square Gossip as "The Cat Man AKA Dennis Avner. Cat Man has transformed every inch of his body to appear tiger like from filing his teeth, tattooing tiger stripes on his skin and undergoing 20 facial surgeries becoming the most modified human being in the world." I am sure that it was an interesting and somewhat frightening encounter!

When asked whether she would share something that is in her Christmas wish-list, she wasn't able to respond right away but after a brief moment of deliberation, she said money. She wishes she had a little extra money so she could help her family or do something "special" during this jolly time of the year.

On a chilly day like today, even someone like Ines, who loves the Big Apple, reminisces about Colombia, her home country and cherishes the warmer climate that extends throughout the year. According to her, she's getting old and she can feel the chill much more intensely.