A weekend to remember...

It was a long weekend that I won't forget in a hurry. Monday being a holiday on the occasion of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, I had planned a short trip to South Lake Tahoe just to see the snow.

I did remember the last time I made the trip to South Lake Tahoe however that was in summer. I found a parking spot for my car in the public parking lot. The weather then was clear and the lake was blue. It was a carnival like atmosphere with a music band playing.

Cut to the present, there was a chilly breeze blowing across and the steps towards the lake was covered with snow. Mom was a bit adventurous as she climbed down the frozen steps gingerly holding onto the railing however as she was about to get down the last step, she slipped and sprained her arm. Ditto with dad who slipped when trying to cross the road. The cold weather proved too much for them and we had to beat a hasty retreat after spending just an hour. What transpired then was something which I hadn't dreamt of. I went to the parking lot to find my car missing. What I did remember was that I had parked in front of a restaurant.

It left me feeling giddy and I started imagining the worst and berated myself for starting the new year on a bad note. On seeing the tow-away and no-parking signage(s) I started getting tense.I went inside the restaurant and inquired with the restaurant staff whether they had seen a car being towed away. They replied, they weren't sure but guided me by saying that there is a number for the towing agency behind the restaurant.

I called up the number and the lady on the phone asked me about the car make and the registration number to which I responded. She said that there is no such car with them. That made me even more tense. My parents were equally worried and mom was literally in tears. I then called up 911. The emergency operator asked me whether the car was stolen or towed away to which I replied I wasn't sure. She said that an officer was on the way.

My heart skipped a beat and I started wondering what happened to my brand new Nissan Altima if it was towed or how come the much vaunted intelligent key system couldn't stop the theft if it was stolen. Then somehow deep within, my instincts told me to walk further. By force of habit I always park my car with rear facing the front. As I started walking, I could see the alloy wheels and the white hood of my car and boy there was such a huge relief on my face. I immediately called 911 and informed the operator that I found my car. There was a big sigh of relief and also joy on our faces however next time I would make it sure that I park my car in a legally permitted spot and not take short cuts. Lesson learnt :) When I returned to work the next day and narrated my story at the team meeting, my boss and other team members couldn't stop laughing their hearts out :)