we’re not in kansas anymore
I just walked in the door and it’s 4:15am, though the clock in my hotel reads 3 hours off.
The 200 mile trek from phoenix into the heart of the desert was mildly amusing. I needed to stop and get a coke (read: caffeine) so I stopped at the best looking gas station I could find.I walk up to the door and it is locked. My eye is drawn to this strange metal drawer protruding from the wall – like a bank tellers window. I decided to get a little closer. Out of the back this zealous fellow pokes his head politely inquiring as to my needs:
“A coke please”
“20 oz?”
“Sure”
“Be right back”
He brought my coke and passed me a debit card swipe machine through the hole. I swiped…no luck. Again, no luck. So he gave me a plastic bag and told me to wrap the card in it. It worked but apparently I had to pay a surcharge to use a debit card…whatever. I’m there thinking to myself how much I wish I were in NJ when this 1980s cadillac pulls up with a motley group of 30-40yr old guys.
“Is it open or do you have to use the window?”
“You have to use the window” I replied
“What the !$#*@! This state sucks….and you, you suck too!”
I laughed out loud. I couldn’t make stuff like this up if I tried.
Anyway, forgive any spelling errors as I’m on my blackberry. I left my laptop charger at my house (read: idiot).
16 Comments so far
Leave a reply
There’s no place like home :):)
Why are you in the desert? :)))
while reading what the strangers said to you I literally laughed out loud! Probably like you did. I keep wondering when peoples actions will stop shocking me but I havent got there yet..lol
I also agree…theres no place like home!!
Im praying for you and your precious Olivia. Its amazing to me that I can be so spiritually attached to two people I have never met :)
Just checking in – are you on vacation? That experience you had at the gas station sounds like a scene out of a movie…leading to disaster. I’m glad there wasn’t more to the story! Also wondering if you being a guy had any fear? I may have laughed out loud – very nervously – and I definitely would have been praying!!!
Anyway, as always, I’ve enjoyed getting caught up on your updates. Have a great day!
P.S. You are NOT an idiot – just had to throw that in…
….you’re just used to the characters in Jersey. :)
I’m so going with you next time. :)
Is your real name, Griswold?
It was all a mirage, The Guy the coke the debit card!!
I have not been able to send you comments and read your posts because of being busy….but it was great to catch up on things!!! I am so happy to hear how you are traveling…it sounds like FUN!! I lived in Arizona…how’s the weather??? Kepp safe and keeping posting…it sounds soooo exciting!!!
God Speed!
WHY ARE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE???
Darn brave of ya to laugh out loud, especially if you were in front of those goons. Oh well the Lord was not gonna have it any other way. Please take care of youself.
Love ya, Val
Funny bro .. reminds me about a year ago I had to go and pick up a truck I had brought up in Ohio and had to drive it back to Florida and came down through kentucky and Tenn. and across Ga. .. and a few places I had to stop the feeling was not comfortable .. I am a shade darker then the avarage Purto Rican from so much sitting by my pool on a daily bases and on more then one occassion on that journey I had to say to myself
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
I have a fuuny feeling these words or this verse was on your mind.. LOL .. stay safe .. Jah Bless .. Tbone out
so i remeber when i moved to AZ and the first time (& it certainly hasn’t been the last)I thought “I wish I were in NJ”….. It also involved a gas station… Lauren and I pulled up to get gas and after sitting @ the pump for a few minutes it dawned on us… SELF SERVE! Urgh! Being Jersey Girls neither of us had the slightest idea as to how to pump gas! It took about 10 minutes, a lot of pushing random buttons, and a good amount of laughter before successfully pumping gas! We high-fived each other for our victory over the gas pump!
it was great seeing you! HUGS….
~Deborah
Wow! Absolutely one of my favorite places to be…in the desert. Whenever I trek to Arizona I always make a point of driving up to Cotton (somewhere around Sedona) and taking the Valley Verde Train up through the desert. I grew up in Nevada for a portion of my life and the desert was my playground. Really! Some of my fondest memories. For whatever reason you are there, please be sure to say hi to the cactus and sagebrush for me. Have fun. Brenda
Yeah, AZ is no fun, although I’ve never been there but I have heard my far share of stories. Have fun! Tim will be there soon!!
Darren,
I think if I were standing there I would not have believed it was all happening. LOL!!!!! What a funny story! A little scary but funny. Glad your inside now! But that’s a girl for ya! We I think rule on the side of caution and guys well, they are just guys and you all seem to handle things so much better when it comes to situations like that one!
Love you,
Lavenia
LOL. Who would of thought a desire for soda would lead to such adventure? I think someone else said it, but that was like a scene out of a movie. I was really confused by it. At first, I thought you were telling us about a dream. But then saw today, that you are on business. Now I get it… lol. Safe travels!