So, when friends arrived Thursday afternoon, I zipped out Nimitz to H-1 and the airport offramp, found the lei stands without a hitch and, headed for the parking lot garlands of flowers in hand.
Then it got interesting.
I've had trouble finding the old parking garage ever since the new inter-island lot opened, so I pay close attention to the signs. One said Arrivals and Parking. My friends were arriving and I wanted to park, so, I followed it.
Next was a sign that said Bank and Parking. I proceeded as directed, found a sign that said More Parking, followed that ... and soon was headed right out of the airport!
Return to Terminal. This time I ignore the Bank Parking sign, knowing it's a trap, and keep going, past the various arrival gates, alongside the parking garage ... and once again right out of the airport. I'm amazed. There's no garage entrance on that level.
Return to Terminal. By this time, my friends are on the ground. I'm desperate. OK, if Arrivals doesn't work, try Departures - even if nobody's departing. Try it.
On my third pass, I find the garage entry, park, run down the stairs and meet my friends - but at the baggage carousel not the gate.
Working with words every day, I'm aware of their power, but it's still amazing how few it takes to lead me astray.
