They exist in numerous cities. The bane of many frustrated drivers looking for a free parking space — free of charge and free as in available.

I invested a year in working with a German woman. I served as her ESL teacher while she lives here temporarily in tandem with her husband’s assignment at Roche Molecular Systems. She lives in Lafayette. For the uninitiated, Lafayette is an upscale community. Wealth. The entire Bay Area of Northern California is a reflection of the  wealth that exists among the population who, to a large degree, follow the lead that IT provides.

On visits to my student’s home, I discovered a wonderful little thrift shop. I view thrift shops as God’s way of saying, “Shop here Cyndi, you can’t go wrong.” And I don’t. A sweet, green polka-dot dress. Primary color candle-stick holders. A tie-front skirt. Greeting cards. These are a few of my finds, but I also found something else less endearing. When I pulled into the small parking lot, I found every space had a meter. Twenty-five cents will get you 3 minutes. I grumbled while I fed the meter 15 minutes worth of change. I made it my mission to mildly complain to the first clerk I found in the shop.

I questioned the lady behind the counter. “I think of Lafayette as being a wealthy community. Why do you need parking meters?” She didn’t hesitate. “Lafayette is a wealthy community because we have parking meters.” Duly noted.