The day started out with an Aussie bloke staying at the Inn. Funny I picked it out and he asked me first “Are you an Aussie?” “Sure am mate.” He was in town visiting family in Bellingham and then onto to Chicago. He owns his own construction company back in OZ. He knew about the archaeological compliance aspects for building in NSW. He was eager to know what they do in the states. I told him the nitty gritty details of all the states I’ve worked in and the comparisons in Australia. The bloke was fascinated by it. I wanted to talk to him longer but his stop was the train station back to Seattle.
Next customer was Raj, he was born in Canada and wondered if he should go back. He works for a tech company and his mother is ill. I said if she’s sick you should go back. Be cheaper medical up there than here. He also has a niece in Melbourne. Ahh Australia you’re getting smaller by the day. As I dropped him off he gave me a $10 tip. Nice. Cheers mate. The ride was only $7! I was just being friendly and my normal self.
Valentine was next. I had her in my car before. She works at a salon in Fairdinkumhaven. She talked about tattoos and that her bf was a tattoo artist. I’ve often thought about getting one, but not sure if I’m ready for that commitment. I’d get a panther, wolf or dragon. She said either would look cool. Then I thought of the pink panther and a dragon with a massive overbite. Not so cool now is it? Pink panther is still kinda cool though. Hmmm…
I went to wait at Fredrick Meyer aka Fred Meyer and a lady parked next to me. Omg, she’s a Lyft and uber driver. She’s in a Honda fit and basically is trying to steal my customers. Her proximity was better than mine. So I left immediately to find another spot. Nope. Nothing. Damn. How rude. I’d never do that. If there were other uber or Lyft drivers waiting in the day I wouldn’t purposely inhibit there customer chances. What nerve! How dare you! The good thing is she didn’t get anyone.
I went to the airport to see if I can get a ping there instead. Whilst waiting a copper pulled up behind me. She said do you realise you are facing the wrong way? I said um, yeah? Every uber driver does it, so I thought it was OK. She said well in your written driving test they told you to not drive over double yellow lines and park the opposite side of the road. I said no not where I’m from. She said but you have a Washington State drivers license. I said not always. I had a California one prior and an Australian one before that. Neither had this so called double yellow line thing you’re talking about. I said now that I know I won’t park like this again. She didn’t give me a ticket. The annoying thing is every uber and Lyft driver parks there like this because it’s an easier route to the airport. You don’t have to go all the way round to get there. Got out of a ticket. So far I have had 3 tickets in Washington, none in California and 2 in Australia. I have lived less time in Washington and keep getting them. Managed to at least talk my way out of this one.
My final customer was a guy that knows another archaeologist in town. We chatted the whole way to his house from the airport and beers will now be a thing in the future.
Then below was a nice compliment from one of my riders. Legend whoever you are.
