Going Around in Circles

I have returned.  I spent the last few days in Louisville, Kentucky at a string teacher conference.   It was a lot of fun, but I had some serious problems trying to get out of the parking garage.

Let me tell you about it.

I parked on the lowest level (this lot went down instead of up).  Amazingly, I had no problem remembering where I parked.  The problem was navigating out of that thing.  I followed the exit signs, as any somewhat intelligent homosapien would do.  I made it to the next level.  And the next level.

But then something weird happened.  I went around in a circle, following the exit signs.  I drove past Indiana license plates, admiring how lovely they were (yes, I happen to like Indiana license plates) and then realized on the third time around, that they were on the same cars. Wait a minute, I thought. Didn't I just pass these vehicles?  I looked to my my right.  There was the elevator to go up to the hotel. I hadn't gone up another level!

But I didn't see another exit.  What's the problem? I thought.  Must I drive around admiring Indiana license plates for eternity?  

I went around again, looking for an alternative exit.  I found one.  But it must've been a pedestrian exit sign, because I ended up at a dead-end.  I got my car out of there after some very careful maneuvering and headed back to the cars with the lovely Indiana license plates.  There had to be a way out!

That's when I noticed another exit sign.  But this one had a one way sign on the wall next to it.  At that way wasn't the way I wanted to go.  Should I go that way? I considered the possibilities:  Wander around in that garage for the rest of my life, or face a head-long collision.

I opted for the head-long collision.

I turned down that one way ramp, and rounded the corner, fully expecting to see a pair of headlights coming my way.  But there wasn't.  Instead, there was a wide, two-way ramp going up and out!  

All I have to say is, somebody must've drank a little too much bourbon when he put that sign up, and thought it would be absolutely hilarious to mess with my head!  Darn Kentuckian!