Blog #5: A Just in Case Plan
Once when I was travelling in Paris with my family, we briefly got separated because it was a very crowded place and somehow we lost sight of each other. I’ve got to admit I got a bit nervous. Where were they? What should I do? I decided to stay where I was and wait for them to find me.
One time when I was working at the Arboretum, a very large outdoor space, I walked to the main bathrooms, I went in one door and came out another and found myself completely turned around. I had no phone on me and no water and it was an extremely hot summer day, at high noon! I started walking in what I thought was the right direction, but it wasn’t the right direction at all. I had no other plan in place. Luckily, my coach alerted the groundskeeping team and they went on a search for me.
Remember to make a plan just in case. Because you never know if you might get separated or lost, or just turned around. There are lots of different strategies that will work depending on the environment you are in. You are never out of options.
In the Arboretum case, there were no obvious landmarks. So after the incident we decided that we should always have our cellphones with us, just in case. We would be able to track each other or just call to say “Hey, where are you?” That became our routine.
Speaking of landmarks, a great strategy is to pick a landmark together so that you have a designated spot to gather if you do get separated. Landmarks can be also very useful (if duly noted beforehand) to retrace your steps if you get turned around for some reason.
These situations can be quite stressful, panic doesn’t help, it will only make things worse. Try to remain calm, think about your options. Can you ask for directions? Do you have your cell phone? Learn how to say: “I need help” in the local language.
A great strategy is often simply to stay put. However, the best plan is to actually have a plan! If you never talk about it, should it happen you might not know what your options are.
Happy Travels!
