U-hauling Costco and The Transportation of Vagrants
26 June 2009 | Jason
It all began before school ended. It was simply a day where everyone was sitting in the lounges, the occasional good student studying for finals, when a Moose (Shankari) came to me and asked if I had a Costco membership. To her disappointment, I did not, but I did know who does. Moose’s (metaphorical) antlers shot up in joy and asked if we could go. How could I, a poor college student, deny a trip to the bargain saving Costco. Plans to go were made, and we waited in anticipation.
A few weeks pass. The date draws near. The day before, Vivian almost pulls out claiming an overload of work, but after a quick reminder of her importance to the trip, she made time in her schedule. One very last minute email around to people asking if they wanted to join, and we had our party. Morning rolled around and we all were giddy in anticipation. I printed out maps, studied the route, and went to grab the truck. I looked back and realized, oh, the back is empty. Ignoring this fact, I drove around to round up the group. With one empty seat in the front, the others had to sit in the back. With the entire group in the van, we took off in the direction of Costco. We got there shortly and embarked on our journey. I was hungry and focused on the food samples. I went to one stand, picked up a small cup of Pom, and was asked if my parent were around. ”Ummmm… I’m 19.” Realizing his mistake, he apologized and I went on my way. An hour later after shopping we reconvened near the entrance. We checked out with a slight hassle, but not much problem.
Footlong hotdogs in hand (except the vegetarian Moose, who got herself a yummy looking berry smoothie) we returned to the van. We enjoyed our meals in the back of the van and contemplated the idea of living in a van for Fall semester. At twenty dollars a day, it would be cheaper than dorm housing. As we discussed this idea, a Chinese lady came up to the back of the van and looked at us. She then asked us in Mandarin where to get one of these vans as well. We all stared at her before Cathy began to reply. The levels of asianness went like this. Moose was the least Chinese of all of us. I can’t speak or understand Mandarin. Vivian can understand Mandarin but can’t speak, but can speak Cantonese. Cathy could understand and speak. After this hilarious encounter it was decided we should return. Another bumpy van ride back and we returned to our respective residences.
Fast forward to later in the day, at 77 Mass Ave. A collection of 9 people gathered at the stairs to spend an evening together. ”How will we get there?” We point toward the white van parked down the street. Well at least it doesn’t say “Free Candy” on the side. They all pile into the back and are very skeptical of how this will work but we reassure that it is …reasonably safe. Hiding in the backseat, I reassure them that the van is technically marketed as a 15 passenger van. We take off in the direction of DoReMi, or so I think. All I am told is to go toward Cambridge St. I do and we end up at Harvard. This was not the intended direction. Yelling ensues about the sanity of the driver but I take charge, grab a map, and figure our route. We continue driving and eventually make it there, in roughly one piece.
Upon entering the shop, it was deserted of people and zombies. All we could see were the record player lined wall and LaserDisks. The owner then arrived and placed us into a room. Starting the Windows XP karaoke machine and turning on the lights, we were perplexed by the technology. The music began and the laser lights moved. After a good two hours of belching songs in a plethora of languages, including 99 Luftaloons (red balloons) (in German) we went home to relax from a night of fun.
More to be read on Vivian’s blog Here
Empty vans are a fun way to get everyone together. I bet it could fit many more than 15 people. Shall we try next time?