The Misadventures of student Parking. As a poor, government supported student, I don't have the privilege (or money) to pay for parking. But since I live so far away from my university and hospital attachments, I need to drive. And so this dilemna sparked the need for some alternative parking arrangements.
Every tertiary hospital in Perth is busy, and you are either a doctor and have a spot, or you pay through the nose to leave your car somewhere whilst you visit your sick relative/friend, or you take public transport.
What about the students? No one cares for the students. It's a bit like army training, you are meant to be tough.
My previous surgical outpost at a private hospital last month was no exception. On my first day I drove around, scouting out possible parking options. All my friends either payed, or parked miles away and walked.
And then I found the jackpot of parking spots, right across the road from the hospital!! [Top photo]. It was a newly rennovated office suite, for lease. I had found home. No one was occupying the place, so i parked in the underground area at the rear for my whole eight weeks. Not only was I shaded from the harsh australian summer, but it was free. Shit it was so private that i think i got changed there a couple of times lol.

Now I am at the main city public hospital doing general respiratory med. In terms of parking, it is even worse. I parked in the doctors carpark for a week, until they erected a boom gate. Then I parked in the country health carpark until they saw me, and told me where I could go with my cheap, second hand piece of shit of a student car. OK, I added the bit about the car slur :o)
Then I parked at the church for a few days, until I got too guilty. And Now?
I used to work for a huge stationary and office supplies company two years ago. They have a branch just down the street from my hospital, and I have been using their carpark now for the last two weeks. And they are on to me. Yes its on like donkey kong. First, they threatened me with a warning on my windscreen. I ignored it. Two more warnings followed, the third being a threat to tow my car away.
I didn't want my car to be towed. It seemed they were determined to bring me down to china town. Having worked there before, I knew that something like this would be the talk of their lunch breaks, yes they are that sad. They were probably even making bets. So what should do? Find somewhere else? Take the public transport? Consult a transexual soothsayer?
Well, I couldn't find a transexual, homosexual or bisexual soothsayer, so I did the next best thing. Pretending to be the manager of the stationery company, I rang the local parking authorities, police and towing groups. It seems, that no one can do shit to my car, until the company signs an agreement with council parking to patrol their carpark. The rangers would then fine everyone, including staff members. Also, unless the agreement was signed, towing of my car would be considered by law, theft. Yachtzee!!
So I continue to park there...[see photo, mine is the emerald green charade...pretty masculine i know], they've since put other stickers on my windows but after all beens said and done...like love, the free parking vigilante will always find a way!