Inconveniences?
My "office" is my Ford Escort, sans A/C or anything else automatic, which I drive into the Philly ghetto every day as a research assistant (west and north Philly). Temperatures on most days this summer have been in the 90's, with this week's temps being over 100 (not including the 75% humidity which adds to the effect). Due to the high crime rate, however, I can't keep all my windows down (not that it would help much), so my car is usually in the 90's if not hotter, while I'm working.
Most of the people I survey (grocery store owners) are immigrants who struggle a bit with English, so I've had to resort to my smattering knowledge of Spanish, Arabic, and Thai on occasion, accompanied by repeated hand gestures, facial expressions, and pointing around the store. It's worked so far, and I love meeting these people... but it does slow down my efficiency somewhat.
Also, the city is rated #1 for homicides this year, with 230 so far in 2006 alone... (and thousands of non-fatal shootings so far). I work directly in the areas where these crimes happen, which can be a little intimidating since I'm alone, female, 5-2", and 125 lbs. On a positive note, it's incredible convenient that I'm half-Thai, since no one can figure out if I'm Latina, Asian, or something in between. I'm not black, but I don't stand out too badly compared with the usual suburban American.
Those are my major inconveniences so far. But they're also what makes the job so challenging, and I love a good challenge. I mean, hey, it beats last summer in rural Zambia, what with living in a tent for 2 months and shitting in a hole in the ground where bats flew out at night!
Then again, very low homicide rate in rural Zambia... so there are trade-offs.
Not to mention this summer, my per-diem is $40 a day, so I can have $20 posh lunches outside the ghetto and free gas all summer. MAJOR perq!
Almost worth the risk of getting shot.
