Slight DeTour

I was in the panel for Agile Iowa discussion last week and had to go to downtown for the meeting. I worked at downtown during 2005 and I used to travel by public transport mostly at that time. It had been so long and I had to go there last Thursday. Vijay offered me a ride, but I refused thinking that I could manage. I left work around 11:15 and went to the meeting. I reached downtown and found a parking space with the parking meter. I parked there, added some coins for 1.5 hours and went to the building for the meeting. Panel discussion went well until 12:30 and we had group discussions. I was in the Agile QA discussion and was answering people until 1:05 or so. I left the building, went to my parking spot. I saw an parking fine ticket in front of my SUV for $15. Bummer!

But actually you know what, that was just a start L. I took my SUV and started going in a direction where lot of cars were going. I thought I would surely see Freeway 235 board somewhere and I can take West on it. But I went towards South Des Moines and went for 4 to 5 miles and was very confused. I just pressed the navigation on the SUV and it started directing me some way and I thought it was instructing me to our home. So, I started following the directions and it ended up taking me to Des Moines Airport J. What a fun!

I am like Ok Whatever! At least I know this place and I can go back to West Des Moines from Airport as I travelled this way so many times. Vijay used to take Highway 5 to go to Airport. Once I pass the airport, I saw “Army Post Road” and I am like yes, I know how to go now. I took that road and went for few more miles & took a right turn even though I saw a board for 35 towards the left side. But I felt that I am not going in right direction. I tried calling Vijay couple of times, but he did not pick up the phone. Then I decided to take a U-turn and started going towards 35.

My adventure really didn’t end here too. I saw the junction for 35 North towards Minneapolis 35 South towards Kansas City. I took 35 S and I had to take a HUGE U turn to join the highway. I was concerned that something is not right as I am not seeing any buildings or correct exits. But I still drove for few miles. You know what? I really missed my route for the FOURTH time. I saw the “Cumming” exit and took it. That exit was really deserted and I did not see any cars and it was a country road. This time, I was really scared. I took a U turn again, came back to the same exit and took 35 N.

I could see the exits to West Des Moines finally and took Mills Civic and I took right instead of left (Again!!!!!????????). But since I was experienced enough, I found that out in one signal light and took a turn again. I finally finally reached my office at 1:45 PM. The place where I went for the meeting is actually around 9 miles from my office. But I took 35 miles and 40 minutes to reach back J. I knew I was not good at geography, but did not realize that I am this much geography-retarded J. Sodhappalo Sodhappal!

It was quite an DeTour J. But Something Fun to remember always!