The Man with the Van
As the Qantas flight lowers into Brisbane International Airport, I gazed out the window marveling at how the electrified modern world’s cities look like the human nervous system. Using the vast network of main, side, and off beaten pathways thousands of organisms carrying information and materials to a destination from some other place. Always moving. Always active. This is it, folks. It was April of 2017 when the decision to attempt to achieve a decade-old dream (living and working in a different country) first began, 17 months later I arrived. My nervous… Another story.
The plane lands and taxis to a terminal that extends to latch on to the front hatch of the plane.
Ding… The sound of the seatbelts off sign indicates it is time to stop my contemplation and reflection. Get up and move.
Following the masses to the carousel to retrieve BOTH of my checked bags. All arrived with no drama this time. No airport workers to rush me to a cab, no running past swarms of people, or wondering where my luggage is currently held.
Truth. There was no candy and no bike. I got my hopes up too... Instead, just two new friends headed to what I can only guess is a suburb of Brisbane – Enoggera. Paul pointed out a few spots of the Brisbane skyline as well as Enoggera had a garrison of Aussie soldiers.
Once home, it was time for some American whiskey and meet his better half, Des. Later on, his daughter was returning from a night out at a club with her mates.
Only later would I meet their son. He was currently working out in Perth area. All friendly enough. Nothing alarming. Not long after a picture and some casually shared spirits off to bed for us all.
The cool sheets felt nice. The bed was comfortable. And I was ready to curl up and sleep. However, the god damn fruit bats had other plans for this Yankee. Till about 4 AM I listened to the constant unfamiliar squawking of fruit bats giving the entire city their best impersonation of Abu from Disney’s Aladdin. Till the finally stopped… Only to be accompanied by the chirp of the early morning birds greeting the new day. Folks, I now discovered then why gun laws are strict in Aus. That’s one night I defiantly took in the romp.
~~~©Dustin J. Casey 2021~~~
The plane lands and taxis to a terminal that extends to latch on to the front hatch of the plane.
Ding… The sound of the seatbelts off sign indicates it is time to stop my contemplation and reflection. Get up and move.
Following the masses to the carousel to retrieve BOTH of my checked bags. All arrived with no drama this time. No airport workers to rush me to a cab, no running past swarms of people, or wondering where my luggage is currently held.
Folks, I think everyone was taught at one point whilst we were kids not to talk to strangers, don’t make plans with people you don’t know, and defiantly don’t get in an old white van with a guy you don’t know - unless you are offered a bike or candy. Jokes aside… As an adult, I completely ignored my parents’ best efforts with a F### all attitude and got right in. It was time to meet the myth and legend.
Paul, the man with the van. With about 60kg or more of luggage, I thought I followed the instructions he gave me to the arrival point. Up the travellator, across the enclosed bridge, down another travellator, and headed to a car park. Now I wait for a man with a van only to find out I went too far. Time to backtrack. With a little guidance from Paul.
Paul, the man with the van. With about 60kg or more of luggage, I thought I followed the instructions he gave me to the arrival point. Up the travellator, across the enclosed bridge, down another travellator, and headed to a car park. Now I wait for a man with a van only to find out I went too far. Time to backtrack. With a little guidance from Paul.
Truth. There was no candy and no bike. I got my hopes up too... Instead, just two new friends headed to what I can only guess is a suburb of Brisbane – Enoggera. Paul pointed out a few spots of the Brisbane skyline as well as Enoggera had a garrison of Aussie soldiers.Once home, it was time for some American whiskey and meet his better half, Des. Later on, his daughter was returning from a night out at a club with her mates.
Only later would I meet their son. He was currently working out in Perth area. All friendly enough. Nothing alarming. Not long after a picture and some casually shared spirits off to bed for us all.
The cool sheets felt nice. The bed was comfortable. And I was ready to curl up and sleep. However, the god damn fruit bats had other plans for this Yankee. Till about 4 AM I listened to the constant unfamiliar squawking of fruit bats giving the entire city their best impersonation of Abu from Disney’s Aladdin. Till the finally stopped… Only to be accompanied by the chirp of the early morning birds greeting the new day. Folks, I now discovered then why gun laws are strict in Aus. That’s one night I defiantly took in the romp.
~~~©Dustin J. Casey 2021~~~
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