Friday, March 20, 2015, 11.30 a.m.
Driving in Qualicum Beach, Part One: today there was no street parking near the Qualicum Beach post office, so I pulled into the parking lot, which was full. A woman was just getting into her car, so I waited politely and patiently (with my turn signal on and not blocking the sidewalk) for her to drive away.
Two women walked around my car, and got into their parked cars and began to back out of their spaces (which I was blocking, while waiting). I honked at them, to remind them that I was still there, even though they’d only just walked past my car.
They gestured to me to get out of their way. I pointed to the car ahead. Once the first lady pulled out of her spot, I was able to park.
The second and third ladies then tried to pull out of their side-by-side parking spaces simultaneously, barely missing a collision with one another, and both honked and gave me “the finger” as they drove by me. The entire interaction lasted about two minutes.
Driving in Qualicum Beach, Part Two: After my errand at the post office, I drove down the “one way” lane from the parking lot, and had to hurriedly move aside from a vehicle driving too fast, the “wrong way.”
Driving in Qualicum Beach, Part Three: I then went to the store, where I again waited patiently, turn signal on, for someone to vacate a parking space — and three vehicles drove by me, too fast, in the parking lot — oblivious to the fact that someone was trying to back out.
More honking and raised fingers ensued. Again, this interaction lasted less than two minutes.
What’s the hurry? Why the overt hostility? What’s up, Qualicum Beach?
This is why I prefer to walk.
Hilary WheltonQualicum Beach