ikea

I have been looking at and pricing new kitchens but I really didn't know what I wanted so Liz suggested that I go for a look at the kitchens at Ikea.  It sounded like a good idea so I checked the train timetables and the route from  the station and set off.  Coming into Burnley station the sky was looking very ominious but the rain held while I walked the two k's down Burnley Rd to Ikea.  Wow.  Being an Ikea newby I was a little overawed by the whole place.  I stated looking at the childrens section with my grandkids in mind.  After several minutes of aimless wandering I had to give myself a mental slap.  If I kept this up I could see myself being here all day and still not doing what I came here to do.  As I walked deeper into maze of lounge rooms and entertainment areas I was surprised by the sheer amounts of people wandering though and around.  It reminded me of Christmas Eve at one of the larger department stores.  Is it always like this?   I checked the store directory and headed for the kitchens.  An hour later after examining all the door, drawers and benches I decided enough was enough.  I headed back to the entrance fighting my way against the flow of pedestrians.  After several minutes of running up and down the stairs like a rat trapped in a maze I had failed to find a way out.  I stopped an Ikea employee.  "How do you get out of this place?" I asked feeling rather foolish.  "You follow the black arrows" she told me like I was dim witted.  I looked down at the arrows and they were pointing  back in the direction I had just come from. "How long will it take me to get there?" I asked now feeling quite desperate to escape.  "Depends."  She looked at me and seemed to be assessing my physical endurance. " About 5 minutes."  On the way to the exit I passed through the kitchen accessories.  Even in my heightened state of flight I couldn't help but be drawn to the bright and shiny knick knacks.  I picked up a set of bright handled paring knives a spatula and a bright dinky little bottle cap remover.  This place was like a huge $2 shop.  I made my way through the huge warehouse area.  Ahhh so that's how the flat packs work.  Very smart.  I put my purchases down on a self check machine and began to read the instructions.  Next second there was an employee by my side.  "You use the scanner" he said grabbing it from the stand bip bip bip and he had scanned my purchases.  "Now all you need to do is pay with your credit card".  "OK thank you" I replied but he had already moved on.  Oh well so much for self serve.