Motel row and Florida dreams

Many people come to Florida for a fresh start. They will tell you its because of the weather but it usually involves the circumstances of their life. Things will be better in Florida - they are certain of that. In Tampa, most people you meet are from somewhere else. There is a reason for that. They come here with Florida dreams. I got a call around sunset for a middle age couple living out of a cheap motel. They had out of state tags on their car from the north.

They were trying to survive until they had saved some money for an apartment, and were paying out the nose for this dump motel. They needed me to help them with their stuff. They had filled their car up with stuff, but had a tv and other items to put in mine. They also had a cute little dog. The lady said it was just too expensive to stay. I know how they feel. The reason I drive a cab is because I can't work at near minimum wage and survive. I helped them but could see they have a tough road to go. Low wages and few benefits are the jobs in Florida.

The door to nowhere...they hoped for more

They were trying to survive until they had saved some money for an apartment, and were paying out the nose for this dump motel. They needed me to help them with their stuff. They had filled their car up with stuff, but had a tv and other items to put in mine. They also had a cute little dog. The lady said it was just too expensive to stay. I know how they feel. The reason I drive a cab is because I can't work at near minimum wage and survive. I helped them but could see they have a tough road to go. Low wages and few benefits are the jobs in Florida. It was once said that you got paid in sunshine down here. These people found out that don't pay the rent. I hope they make it. Not everyone does who moves to Florida. The good paying industrial jobs of the Midwest are gone. That is why so many people from Ohio, Michigan, and othe states are down here. People often go back, but to what? They seemed like good folks. I learned about that sunshine myth a long time ago.

Comments

Larry 157September 4, 2013 at 5:30 PM
Wow that # 14 door looks familiar. No that can't be right. I used to stay on the bottom floor. Park my cab and go to the retreat or blue pigemon. ( sp ) My landlord is going to be pissed. Me thinks the A/C went out. Oh shit I just saw that about Pirate. We both stayed at the old Cab Driver Hotel. He was in room 101 and I was in 102. He was really a good guy. Justin and Pirate. Justin worked the 6-2 and Pirate the 2-10. Both of them really helped me out when I was the new kid on the block. Yeah you helped too Tim. Later I truly hope your business will pick up one day. Larry 157
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