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With beaming pride
Oct. 15th, 2006 01:01 pmI bounded into the foyer of the Waldorf, tugged at my "Canberra Cabs" cap, and looked at the receptionist. "Here to pick up a passenger, Ma'am!"
She indicated a young lady waiting on a nearby lounge, who wasn't quick enough to stop me from seizing her bag and hustling it into the back of the cab waiting outside. And I opened the door for her.
My final session of jockeying yesterday, and I can affirm that I have not lost my enthusiasm. Clad (crom the waist up) in official Canberra Cabs uniform, I was full of beans. Once again my cabdriver was Mick from Glasgow, who greeted me with a smile and a handshake as I climbed into the spotless interior of cab number 168. I took every opportunity to get out and carry bags, open doors, hunt up passengers, and fill the tank when we stopped for gas.
It was fun all the way through, and we were on the go all the time, only the occasional five minute wait at a cab rank for the next fare. I even managed to spot a fare waiting on the rank at Kingston, and although it was only a five minute ride to the National Press Club, it was still a few dollars extra for Mick, and a chance for me to learn a few more streets.
Hot and dry and windy yesterday, and almost without exception the passengers collapsed gratefully into the airconditioned cab. Had to laugh at one couple, visiting Canberra from Perth, here for the Floriade spring flower festival. "Take us to the national art gallery," she said, "or a museum or something. Anything!"
So we did, giving them a brief tour of the Parliamentary Triangle on the way.
Heat aside, it was a perfect clear blue day, and I felt a swell of pride in Canberra. The open parkland, the grand buildings, the wide blue lake - I really do live in a great city. And I'm happy to show it off.
My sponsor - the chap who owns the cabs and has been arranging the jockeying, has indicated that I can have more if I need it, but I don't think I do. What I've had has been golden, and I'm keen as mustard to get stuck into the real deal. Only a few more steps to complete before I'm on the road:
Monday - buy the rest of my uniform. A pair of trousers from the social club at Hawker, some comfortable black shoes. (Much as I love my Columbia boots, they wouldn't meet the "black or brown shoes, no sneakers" criteria.) Go to Health Services Australia and sort out my medical certificate - the doctor forgot to tick an important box. Get a haircut.
Thursday - do a final run through of the practical driving test locations, revise my course notes. Do the test and (assuming I pass), take myself off to Dickson Motor Registry for a "T" endorsement on my licence - this involves getting a whole new licence, complete with photograph. Then return to the cab company with all my paperwork, in uniform, with money bag and coin clip, for registration on the network. If I have time after that, I might see if I can meet my sponsor and arrange to begin work on Monday, following my return from Adelaide.
So, it's just on a week to go now. We'll see how I feel in a fortnight's time after I've got a few ten or twelve hour shifts under my belt. Will I bounce around helping passengers, or will I slouch in the seat, cracking another bottle of Red Bull caffeine energy drink, trying to stay awake and alert?
She indicated a young lady waiting on a nearby lounge, who wasn't quick enough to stop me from seizing her bag and hustling it into the back of the cab waiting outside. And I opened the door for her.
My final session of jockeying yesterday, and I can affirm that I have not lost my enthusiasm. Clad (crom the waist up) in official Canberra Cabs uniform, I was full of beans. Once again my cabdriver was Mick from Glasgow, who greeted me with a smile and a handshake as I climbed into the spotless interior of cab number 168. I took every opportunity to get out and carry bags, open doors, hunt up passengers, and fill the tank when we stopped for gas.
It was fun all the way through, and we were on the go all the time, only the occasional five minute wait at a cab rank for the next fare. I even managed to spot a fare waiting on the rank at Kingston, and although it was only a five minute ride to the National Press Club, it was still a few dollars extra for Mick, and a chance for me to learn a few more streets.
Hot and dry and windy yesterday, and almost without exception the passengers collapsed gratefully into the airconditioned cab. Had to laugh at one couple, visiting Canberra from Perth, here for the Floriade spring flower festival. "Take us to the national art gallery," she said, "or a museum or something. Anything!"
So we did, giving them a brief tour of the Parliamentary Triangle on the way.
Heat aside, it was a perfect clear blue day, and I felt a swell of pride in Canberra. The open parkland, the grand buildings, the wide blue lake - I really do live in a great city. And I'm happy to show it off.
My sponsor - the chap who owns the cabs and has been arranging the jockeying, has indicated that I can have more if I need it, but I don't think I do. What I've had has been golden, and I'm keen as mustard to get stuck into the real deal. Only a few more steps to complete before I'm on the road:
Monday - buy the rest of my uniform. A pair of trousers from the social club at Hawker, some comfortable black shoes. (Much as I love my Columbia boots, they wouldn't meet the "black or brown shoes, no sneakers" criteria.) Go to Health Services Australia and sort out my medical certificate - the doctor forgot to tick an important box. Get a haircut.
Thursday - do a final run through of the practical driving test locations, revise my course notes. Do the test and (assuming I pass), take myself off to Dickson Motor Registry for a "T" endorsement on my licence - this involves getting a whole new licence, complete with photograph. Then return to the cab company with all my paperwork, in uniform, with money bag and coin clip, for registration on the network. If I have time after that, I might see if I can meet my sponsor and arrange to begin work on Monday, following my return from Adelaide.
So, it's just on a week to go now. We'll see how I feel in a fortnight's time after I've got a few ten or twelve hour shifts under my belt. Will I bounce around helping passengers, or will I slouch in the seat, cracking another bottle of Red Bull caffeine energy drink, trying to stay awake and alert?
