Man, what a day! I swear, being a cashier in Queenstown is like riding a rollercoaster. One minute you’re chillin’, the next you’re dodging tourists like it’s dodgeball. So, I roll into work at the Four Square on Camp St, right? It’s a sunny day, and I’m thinkin’, “Today’s gonna be easy-peasy.” Ha! Spoiler alert: it was NOT.
First off, I’m just getting settled when this fam rolls in. Like, a whole crew of them. Kids runnin’ wild, parents lookin’ frazzled. I’m talkin’ about the kind of chaos that makes you wanna pull your hair out. They’re all like, “Where’s the milk?!” and I’m like, “Dude, it’s right there in the fridge!” But they’re too busy arguing about which ice cream flavor to get. Classic, right?
Then, outta nowhere, this guy comes in. He’s got a backpack that looks like it’s been through a war zone. Seriously, it’s all torn up. He’s like, “Hey mate, do you have any maps?” I’m like, “Maps? You mean Google?” But I grab one from the rack anyway. Turns out he’s a hiker, just got back from some epic trek up Ben Lomond. I’m like, “Dude, you’re nuts! That climb is brutal!” But he’s all smiles, like he just conquered Everest or something.
So, I’m ringing up his stuff, and he starts telling me about this insane view he saw. I’m picturing it, and I’m like, “Man, I need to get outta this store!” But then, just as I’m daydreaming about the view from Skyline Gondola, the power goes out. Yup, just like that. Lights off, registers down. I’m standing there like a deer in headlights.
People start freaking out. I mean, c’mon, it’s just a power outage! But nah, they act like the world’s ending. I hear someone yell, “What about my ice cream?!” I’m like, “Chill, it’s not gonna melt in two minutes!” But they don’t listen.
After a few minutes, the power comes back. Thank goodness! But now, the line is out the door. I’m sweating bullets, trying to keep my cool. I’m ringing up stuff like a machine, but then this lady comes in with a cart full of groceries. I’m talkin’ about a mountain of food. I’m like, “Lady, did you just raid the pantry?”
And then, just when I think it can’t get crazier, this dude walks in with a parrot on his shoulder. A freakin’ parrot! I’m like, “Is this a pet store or a grocery store?” The parrot starts squawking, and I’m losing it. I can’t even focus on ringing up the lady’s groceries.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the rush dies down. I’m exhausted but kinda pumped. I mean, Queenstown is wild! The views, the people, the unexpected moments. I step outside for a breather, and wow, the lake is glistening. It’s like a postcard. I take a deep breath, and for a second, I forget about the chaos inside.
But then, I remember I left my phone on the counter. Ugh! I sprint back, and guess what? The parrot is still there, now perched on the register. I’m like, “Dude, you can’t just hang out here!” The owner laughs, and I’m like, “You’re lucky I’m too tired to care.”
As I wrap up my shift, I can’t help but think about how crazy today was. Queenstown is a vibe, man. It’s got its quirks, its surprises, and a whole lotta character. I love it, even when it drives me nuts. I head home, ready to crash, but I can’t stop smiling. Tomorrow’s another day, and who knows what’ll happen next?