Waiting in Line

It is Monday morning and I am at the post office. I need to send a package to my sister in another country. The post office is very busy today. There is a long queue of about fifteen people in front of me. I take a number from the machine. My number is forty-three. The screen shows they are serving number twenty-eight. I think this is going to take a while. I find a seat near the window and sit down. The woman next to me looks frustrated. She says, "I have been waiting for twenty minutes already. This is ridiculous." I say, "It does seem very slow today. Maybe they are short-staffed." She says, "They should have more people working on a Monday morning. Everyone comes on Monday." I agree with her. Mondays are always the busiest day at the post office.

I look around the post office while I wait. There are people of all ages. An old man is holding a large box. A young woman is filling out a form at the counter. A mother is trying to keep her small child entertained. The child wants to run around but the mother keeps saying, "Please be patient. It is not our turn yet. We need to wait." The child does not understand why they have to wait. I smile. I remember when my children were that age. Waiting was impossible for them. I take out my phone and check my emails to pass the time. I have a message from my sister asking when the package will arrive. I reply, "I am at the post office now. There is a long queue but I will send it today."

After fifteen minutes, my number is getting closer. They are now serving number thirty-six. Seven more people before me. The queue is moving faster now because a second counter has opened. A man behind me taps my shoulder and says, "Excuse me, can I go before you? I only need to buy stamps and my bus leaves in five minutes." I think about it. He looks stressed and it is a simple request. I say, "Of course, go ahead." He says, "Thank you so much. You are very kind." He goes to the counter, buys his stamps in thirty seconds, and rushes out the door. The woman next to me says, "That was nice of you." I say, "It was only stamps. It did not take long." She says, "Not everyone would do that. Some people get very angry about cutting in line."

Finally, my number is called. Number forty-three. I go to counter two. The woman behind the glass says, "Good morning. How can I help you?" I put my package on the counter and say, "I would like to send this to Australia, please." She weighs it and says, "It is one point five kilograms. Would you like standard delivery or express?" I ask, "How long does standard take?" She says, "Standard takes ten to fourteen working days. Express takes five to seven days." I think about it. My sister's birthday is in two weeks, so standard should be fine. I say, "Standard, please. How much is it?" She says, "Eighteen euros for standard international delivery." I say, "That is fine." She gives me a form to fill out with the address.

I fill out the customs form. I need to write what is inside the package and its value. Inside there is a book, a scarf, and some chocolates. I write "gifts" and the value as thirty euros. The woman checks the form and says, "Everything looks good. Would you like tracking?" I say, "Yes, please. How much extra is that?" She says, "Two euros extra for tracking. You will get a number and you can check online where your package is." I say, "Yes, I will take tracking. My sister will want to know when to expect it." She prints a tracking label and sticks it on the package. She also gives me a receipt with the tracking number. The total is twenty euros. I pay with my card and say, "Thank you very much." She says, "You are welcome. Your package should arrive in about two weeks. Next, please!"

I leave the post office feeling relieved. That took forty minutes in total, but at least it is done. I send my sister a message with the tracking number and say, "Package sent! It should arrive in about two weeks. Happy birthday in advance!" She replies immediately with excited emojis and says, "Thank you! I cannot wait to see what is inside!" I smile. I love sending gifts to people. There is something special about receiving a package in the post. It is more personal than just sending money or a digital gift card. I hope she likes the scarf. I chose it because it is her favourite colour, dark blue with silver stars. The book is one that I read and loved, and I think she will enjoy it too.

Now I have another errand to do. I need to go to the phone shop to ask about upgrading my phone contract. My current contract ends next month and I want to find a better deal. The phone shop is on the main street, about ten minutes from the post office. I walk there, enjoying the fresh air. It is a nice morning, cool but sunny. The main street is busy with shoppers and people going to work. I pass a bakery and the smell of fresh bread makes me hungry. I think I will stop for a coffee and a pastry after the phone shop. I arrive at the shop and go inside. There are three customers being served and two people waiting. I take a seat and wait for my turn. At least this queue is shorter than the post office.

After five minutes, a young man comes over and says, "Hello, how can I help you today?" I explain that my contract is ending and I want to look at new options. He asks me what I use my phone for. I tell him I use it mainly for calls, messages, internet, and taking photos. He shows me three different plans on his computer screen. The cheapest is twenty euros per month with limited data. The middle one is thirty euros with more data and a new phone included. The most expensive is forty-five euros with unlimited everything. I think the middle option is best for me. I ask, "Can I keep my current phone number?" He says, "Yes, absolutely. We can transfer your number to the new contract." I say, "And is there a minimum contract period?" He says, "Twenty-four months." I think about it and decide to take it.

The man helps me fill out the paperwork for my new phone contract. He asks for my ID and my bank details for the monthly payment. He says, "Your new contract will start on the first of next month, when your old one ends. You will receive your new SIM card by post in about three days." I say, "Do I need to do anything to activate it?" He says, "Just put it in your phone and follow the instructions. If you have any problems, you can call our helpline or come back to the shop." I say, "Thank you for your help. You explained everything very clearly." He says, "You are welcome. Is there anything else I can help you with?" I say, "No, that is everything. Thank you." I leave the shop feeling satisfied. Two errands done in one morning.

I reward myself with a visit to the bakery I passed earlier. I go inside and the smell is even better up close. There are croissants, pastries, cakes, and fresh bread on display. I order a coffee and an almond croissant. The woman behind the counter says, "Eat in or take away?" I say, "Eat in, please." She gives me my coffee in a proper cup and the croissant on a plate. I find a small table by the window and sit down. The croissant is warm and flaky, with a sweet almond filling. The coffee is strong and smooth. I sit and watch people passing by outside. I think about my morning. I waited in line at the post office, sent a package to my sister, and got a new phone contract. It was not the most exciting morning, but I feel productive. Sometimes the ordinary tasks are the most satisfying when they are finally done.