The VA Parking Lot
After we stopped laughing and headed up toward the truck in the parking area near the potties there were a couple of road signs that had copied notices that said SFVA on them and SFVA shuttle. Apparently, the lower parking area was where Mr. Garble mouth was trying to directing us to.
We waited and waited for the shuttle and waited. A couple of women came up to us and asked if we had any idea where the VA over flow lot was. We giggled and pointed down to the signs. They were relieved and explained that they could not understand what the guy in the VA parking lot up the hill had told them. We all agreed that he was an idgit.
A bit later a plain white van was driving by us and on of the ladies stopped it and asked if the driver knew where we were suppose to catch the shuttle for the VA. The driver smiled and pointed up a hill to a higher level of the lot. Then he laughed and said but you have found me! Yeah!!!!
Five blocks or more up the hill to the VA he drove us. Happy to arrive at the VA *although without the scooter) we each purchased a cup of much needed coffee.
Cloths and Food
First order of business was to find Billy. After locating him on the ground floor, we started roaming the building to find something Trish could change into. We found a pair of sweat pants in the gift shop area and Trish changed into them. We were hungry so we headed to the cafeteria to grab a bit. The place was full of people and none of them was paying attention to anyone but themselves. We finally decided on each getting a piece of pizza.
Every time Trish tried to catch a piece as it circled more and more folks behind us in line got annoyed at us and started shoving. We earned our pieces of pizza.
Elevator Woes
After eating, we went from desk to desk until someone finally could tell us what department Billy was in at the time. X-ray – the sign says second floor oh boy!
We boarded the first elevator going up. Pushed the second floor button and headed up. The elevator stopped at the first floor and a gentleman got on. The second floor button was already lit so he waited with us expecting to go up. Well, now this is the VA remember? The elevator shook and groaned and went right back down to the ground floor. Trish and I wanted to get off but the two people who jumped on and the original man were blocking our way. As we protested, they hit the second floor button and up we went – to the first floor! More people boarded and ignored our pleas to get off. The first gentleman is now on our side and wants to get out of the elevator now also.
As you must have figured out by now the elevator shook and groaned as it made its way back down to the ground floor. Before we could make our way though the crowd of people jammed in the elevator the woman next to the panel hit the second floor button and off we went – to the first floor. More folks got on and no one would let us off! Talk about a rude bunch of &$#$%@.
As the elevator shook and groaned I made my mind up come fall on my arse or piss everyone off I was getting off! You see, kmilyun does not do elevators well even when they are functioning perfectly.
Once the doors opened, (this time there was a long delay and people started panicking) on the ground floor again I shoved and bumped my way to the front and slide out with Trish and a two folks right behind me. Well, I must say that my exit was not graceful but I was outta that elevator!
There are two elevators and we had done the right one too many times! We waited until the left one finally came down and as we were getting on a bunch of folks started running toward it as they rushed out of the right one. Now I am usually fairly agreeable and helpful but . … these folks trapped me – refused to let us out . .. so I hit and held the close door button LOL heck with them. The four of us cheered!
We arrived at the VA around 9am and did not get out of there till 2pm. By the time, we got a ride back to the truck and Billy drove to China Town it was too late to even think of finding a parking spot. He circled several times but it was not to be. By the time we got out of San Francisco and headed home, we had hit so many potholes and bad road patches that we were all hurting.
Maybe our next
Trip to the VA
will be better.
zoomdoggies
I wonder how many miles you guys put on those pathetic old elevators? I’ve not had any dealings with the VA myself, but my parents have had their share of adventures there. Only the brave…
kmilyun
It is a very interesting place to watch people. The bureaucracy of the institution?
Karen
Looks like good pizza…I’m craving pizza.
kmilyun
It was not too bad 🙂
sherri
i hear such horror stories about the VA…. but i admit this is the first one about bad elevators…. what a horrible ride… at least no one was jumping up and down a la jackass movie style…
glad you guys made it out of the city safely… sounds as though going to the doc was quite an adventure….
and the crash test dummy lives on!
kmilyun
The crash test dummy never dies! Just falls to pieces.
Muff
You must have been worn out after all the ‘mis’adventures! I guess we’ve all heard/seen the horror stories about the VA. I think they kind of ‘fixed’ the one near us.
Peace,
Muff
Donna
You know my dad gets treatment at the VA in his town (about 60K population). I think he gets way better treatment than I do! I believe it’s rather rare and also has to do with it not being one of the big metro hospitals.
Wow, what a ride literally. I’ve never been keen on elevators as they make me dizzy and always took the stairs even when I worked on the 13th floor. But, of course, elevators are now our friends (tongue in cheek). What an experience — the malfunctioning equipment is disturbing, but the peoples’ behavior even more so.
Not exactly what you had in mind when you planned for adventures in the big city!
Donna
kmilyun
The VA in San Francisco does seem to give Billy great care. The desk clerks are usually friendly and helpful. it is just some of the other ancillary peeps are not always happy campers.
Elevators and I do not like each other – never really have. No other way to get around really I can not walk that far no way no how. Not having the scooter did not help either 🙁
jan
Kim
These trips to the doctors or VA can be tough. They require patience or humor, I guess….
kmilyun
yes they do require something 🙂 not sure what? I am glad that it was not an appointment for me or I would have really been going nuts! Sometimes the visits go very smoothly and other times well . …
Thank you for dropping in and commenting I hope you continue to do so!
jan