Johnny Castro

MELBOURNE, VIC | 2.1.19

“I expect a 5 star rating for expert navigation.”

Did you know the Melbourne airport has a section for aviation and fire fighting training? Complete with a mock-up of a 747? Neither did we and neither did our local Melbournian Uber driver. As we drove past signs to the airport and into open fields and government type buildings, we slowly realized we had gone the wrong way. When we saw what looked like a burnt shell of a plane, we really questioned where we were. Quite the adventure trying to pick up our rental car.

Johnny greeted us outside the hostel, asking if we were traveling with our homes on our back. With two backpacks each, the answer was a resounding yes!

Johnny grew up in Melbourne and has spent most of his life here, with a few months out of the country spent in America, Colombia, and Italy. A big rap fan, with expert knowledge on the Cardi B vs. Nikki fight and hip on the latest songs and music videos, Johnny played both driver and DJ. He’s played Pokémon Go since it’s release and despite the big coffee scene in Melbourne, he prefers Starbucks.

We left the car in stitches, I can’t remember a driver making me laugh so hard. Before we went our separate ways, he scrambled out of the driver’s seat, asking a man on the curb to take a group picture.

We exchanged Facebook info, waved goodbye, and of course, left a rave review on Uber.