Soul Searching

We are coming up to our second year anniversary of being on the road. And with the amount of time that a person has in this lifestyle, it gives a person many opportunities to look inward. To glance into the inner soul of your being and to analyze. Not only to analyze but also to reflect upon this person that we call ourselves. Have we become the person that we thought we would become when we had all the hopes and dreams of a six year old?

When I was six, did I think that I would be a skeptical 52 year old adult? Or should I say an adult with many years of experiences that have shaped our personalities into what we have become. I think that the little six year old with all the hopes and dreams of innocence would have never thought in terms as an adult person does. Therefore, never even imagining the trials and tribulations that people go through that eventually shape and hone beings into what we eventually become.

Life often gives you opportunities. What you do with those opportunities is entirely up to you. I know now you are probably wondering what mountain I have climbed down from. You may also be wondering if I have been enlightened by the wise man or am I the wise man? Maybe the thin air has finally gotten to me and my brain has popped due to the lack of oxygen.

Well, none of the above. What I am talking about is that every once in awhile life lets you step into another persons shoes. We have been here in Yellowstone for just over a month doing a job that I have never really thought much about. And since I haven't thought about the job, it goes with out saying that I never thought about the people that do that job. The job I am talking about is cashiering.

The newness of the job has definitely worn off. The customers are nice because you always get new ones coming in and they are all on vacation. The questions we get, always seem to be the same. Some of the things we get asked are just unbelievable though. We as simple cashiers in a store in a small part of the park and are expected to know just as much information as the people that man the information stations in the visitor centers. A lot of the questions are just dumb. Remember being told when you are learning, that there are no dumb questions.

Well there are. Here are some samples:

How far can you see with these binoculars? (I can see the moon if I look at it)
I heard there where bears here yesterday. Where are they today? (On the other side of the park)
Can you tell me what animal that is on the ridge outside? (Not without seeing it)
How long will it take to clean the bathroom? (I don't know, I am not cleaning it.)
Where can you see grizzlies? (Over in the toy section)
Where are the wolves? (Next to the grizzlies)
Have you seen any animals today? (Not since I have been in the store)
Where are the animals? (They haven't let them out yet)

And it goes on and on.

Just a few tips from a cashiers point. Don't throw your money at us. If you do I will take my time to pick up each bill, straighten it, line it up correctly before I give you back your change and let you get on your merry way. Please don't give us change after you have been asked if you have the change and we ring it up in the computer. Please don't get to the counter, have your items rung up and then realize your wallet is in the car. And most of all don't write "See I D" on your credit card  and then don't have your I D. What do you want me to do then? It is a no win situation for me. If I refuse your sale you will be mad, if I go ahead with your sale you will think I don't check I D's. Also in this day and age, who thinks they can still buy alcohol or cigarettes with out I D's.

That is the tip of the iceberg. Until I have to vent again.