I Hate Underground Parking Lots!




I have no sense of direction and rely heavily on landmarks to find my way. I’ve never been very good at remembering where I parked, especially in underground parking lots. 

I think underground parking lots are truly the most depressing places imaginable. They’d be a perfect setting for an apocalyptic film or a thriller as they are so creepy and bleak.

Yesterday my son and I were downtown and decided to park in the underground parking lot at the Rideau Shopping Centre. After having our lunch, we decided to return to the car. All I remembered was that we were in parking lot P1 so when I saw a sign for P1, onward I went. We walked around in P1 for a while and there was no sign of the car. We went down to the other level of P2 and still no sign of it. I grew cranky, sweaty and anxious, feeling like I was in one of those bad dreams where you trudge endlessly, feeling lost and that no one cares at all.

My son said that we should return to the shopping centre, go back to where we started near the Goodlife Fitness and take the same elevator we had used. Foolishly, I didn’t listen and trudged on in circles continuing to look for the car.

At my wit’s end, I agreed to try my son’s suggestion. After more trudging through the confusing shopping centre maze (don't even get me started about getting lost in confusing shopping centres. Rideau Centre is the worst!), we found our starting spot. 

Success! Finally the right P1 parking lot. The only difference was the columns had a big green stripe on them to differentiate that it was a new and different parking garage. 

We headed towards the wall where the car was and I recognized the big rectangle crudely sawed out of the wall that I had noticed when we first parked. At least I had noticed that particular detail as I had found it funny how we could look through to another room and see the workers in there.  Not that I stare at construction workers at all. *Looks away*

As we approached, a work boot emerged, attached to a burly workman who squeezed his bulk through the makeshift window, making me laugh. He saw me laughing at him and laughed, too. I am grateful to him for making an unpleasant experience funny at least.

Lesson learned: Remember important details about where you park and write it down or take a photo if necessary. Oh, and listen to my son’s advice, too, of course! 

In this case though, I do think the strikes were against me calling this parking garage P1 just like the other garage P1. Please don’t confuse me like that! It doesn’t take much!

Comments

  1. Debbie D. January 12, 2016 at 10:00 AM

    They shouldn't have used the same designation for both! I can sympathize with this situation as I often forget where the car is parked and have to resort to sounding the alarm button to follow the noise. Of course, that wouldn't have worked in your case, Cathy. Glad there was a pleasant moment for you at the end.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownJanuary 12, 2016 at 10:21 AM

      Thanks for the empathy, Debbie. The battery has gone on our automatic door lock/alarm so that wouldn't have worked, even if it were the right garage. Yes, at least I had a giggle at the end when the hunky workman came through the wall. At last my hero was there to rescue me! Hahaa!

      Delete
  2. UnknownJanuary 12, 2016 at 12:14 PM

    Hahahaha - I am right there with you. Always in desperate search for parking up on the road, in the air... But fewer of those and more underground parking lots... Buuuuuu... Happy you had your hero!! Fun read, dear Cathy. Sending you big new year hugs my friend:-)

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    Replies
    1. UnknownJanuary 17, 2016 at 5:42 AM

      Big hugs back at you, Eli! Thanks for the comment. Glad you thought it was fun to read and I wasn't whining too much.

      Delete
  3. ChocolattezJanuary 12, 2016 at 12:57 PM

    It is scary sometimes... Even above ground... I know that I can't find my way out of a paper bag... So I really try to find the pike that has my specific parking area on it.. They have these poles with lights every so many feet... But many's the time I could not find the car... Grrr..

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    1. UnknownJanuary 17, 2016 at 5:44 AM

      Glad to hear I'm not the only one with parking lot problems. Yes, it's helpful if there are distinguishing features or numbers. The other night we parked in the Arts Centre parking lot and it had letters and numbers so I wrote them down so I wouldn't forget. That place was easy as there was only the one parking lot and not three like at the shopping centre.

      Delete
  4. IndywritesJanuary 13, 2016 at 3:44 AM

    Parking lots, they are indeed the set of a lot of woes for me too. i have taken to regularly parking in the same spot if possible and noting the number and level on my phone each time. I once got lost for 40 minutes, quite a scare I had since I was alone.
    Glad you had your kid with you.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownJanuary 17, 2016 at 5:44 AM

      That would be awful to be alone and lost looking for your car. Such an awful feeling, isn't it? I'm glad my son was there and he was the one who saved me in the end.

      Delete
  5. VinithaJanuary 14, 2016 at 2:37 AM

    I share the same sentiments on underground parking. It confuses big time! Glad that you found the right spot. :)

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    1. UnknownJanuary 17, 2016 at 5:45 AM

      Thanks, Vinitha. It was a scary time but finally we found our car. I can't even imagine what it must be like in India with more people and cars. Now that would be confusing.

      Delete
  6. Grace Grits and GardeningJanuary 14, 2016 at 3:32 PM

    I've begun taking pictures of my car in the parking lot with the Row/No or some type of lamppost or something nearby so I can find my way back. Works well!

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  7. AditiJanuary 16, 2016 at 6:30 PM

    I got lost once in a parking lot, and ever since my dad and sis pull my leg whenever we drive into these humongous underground parking lots of the shopping malls. So, you are not alone! ;)
    Taking a photo, sure comes in handy. I think now there is an app too,to find your car!!

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    Replies
    1. UnknownJanuary 17, 2016 at 5:46 AM

      Good to know I'm not alone, Aditi. Such a scary feeling being lost. Interesting to hear there is an app to find your car. Now that would be very useful!

      Delete

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