Simulations: The Lost Bags

A big part of why I signed up for the World Race was the scenario trainings (simulations)! Throughout our whole time here, we’ll randomly be told that we’re supposed to take part in a simulation. Sometimes they’re fun, other times, less fun.

Take my first simulation, for example. The night before, we were told to pack up everything (including our tents), but to leave shower and work out stuff in our daypacks. We thought it was just a simple exercise in getting better at packing, so we went along like sheep to the slaughter.

Then disaster hit.

We were all gathered around our bags, which had been placed on two separate tarps, and read the situation. “We were on a flight from Eswatini to Indonesia, and unfortunately, the airlines lost half of our bags. They promise they’re doing everything they can to find them, but we’ll have to check in with them again tomorrow,” Alyssa, our squad leader, said, barely containing her laughter at our reactions of shock and outrage.

Then she took another tarp and covered half the bags. What happened next was chaotic. Amongst the screams of joy (from those who did not have their bags lost) and disappointment (from those who did), we had to pair up and figure out how we were going to survive the night, and the rest of the day.

My partner was Abeni, and she was prepared in every way but how she was going to sleep. I tried to give her most of my sleeping stuff, but she only accepted the sleeping bag. And that’s how we spent the night. Me layered up in almost all of my warm clothes, but comfortable on a sleeping mat, her in a sleeping bag, but directly on the ground.

We didn’t get out stuff back in the morning. Lunch came and went, and the airlines still hadn’t found our stuff. Then, at around 3:00, we were all gathered around again, and my team leader, Kait, gave us all the sad news. “Unfortunately, the airlines still have been unable to find your bags, and they won’t find them for another 3 days, but at least that’s only 2 nights! In addition, they also lost another 2 bags, so who’s going to volunteer to lose their stuff?”

Abby raised her hand immediately, and someone else followed seconds later (I feel so bad, I don’t remember who). After applauding their generosity, Kait stepped away to take a phone call. Then she came back, “Great news, the airline found your bags!!” I don’t think the cheering could have been greater if we’d actually lost our bags.

Through that, we learned what to do if we ever did lose our stuff (and I’ve heard that it happened to one guy twice), and we also became much more comfortable with each other! That wasn’t a “fun” simulation, but it was valuable, and it brought a new sense of closeness to our team!