Dear Aussies

Dear Australians,

Why don't you tip? You're so nice. You're so courteous. You're so friendly. If you're not going to tip, then stop leading us tour bus drivers on by telling us how "splendid," "marvelous," or "stunning" of a time you are having and not pay out in the end. Sure, the compliments you give are morale boosters after a long day of touring and telling stories and herding everyone around the different picture stops, but nothing deflates that morale like an empty hand in the end.

You're right, us tour bus drivers shouldn't let the amount of tips we receive be the factor by which we gauge how well we did, but it has become part of our culture. Our two cultures aren't much different. I've seen the Outback Steakhouse commercials. You love bar-b-ques, we love bar-b-ques. You love the outdoors, we love the outdoors. You think the English are a bunch of sissies, we think they are too. You see?

It's more understandable when Asians don't tip. They actually take offense when they receive tips. I am sure you wouldn't be offended if I handed each of you a 5 spot as you got off my bus. You could go buy your beer you are always asking for at each stop.

When a busload of your "mates" only shell out 5 bucks for the whole lot of you, that is unacceptable. I'd say I am biting the hand that feeds me, but in your case, I am biting the hand that pets me then slaps me in the face. Please consider these words, more Alaska tour guides may like you in the end.

"Cheers,"
Tim

Open Air

Take a look at where I am at. The picture below shows it visually, but it's up to anyone who cares to let those 1000 words fall into place to tell the story. It's perfect here, for the most part. This is where I imagine that people are imagining they are when they need to escape from somewhere else. Or they're thinking about a similar place. It's nice to be just a little bit removed from the "outside world," where mail, news, and travel take a little more time to get here. The extra time helps one take it all in. The only time that overwhelming feeling sets in up here is at the top of a mountain and one realizes just how big this world really is.

As I sat staring out over the Skagway River Valley, I began to wonder if my imagination was getting robbed. Here I was looking at a place that billions of people could only imagine and I am experiencing it first hand. It was only a fleeting thought. Soon I saw myself standing on the highest peak, or jumping from tree limb to tree limb, or getting chased by a bear through the woods. And with those visual images in my mind came all different feelings: wonder, excitement, fear... It felt good to have those senses stimulated for a moment.

So, it's good to be familiar with such an unfamiliar place. Come fall, I'll be ready to be home, but I know I am where I need to be for now. The view, the friends, and the money are all good. I wish everyone could experience Skagway, Alaska. But then if everyone were hear it wouldn't be the same. Let me spark your imagination for a minute.