I just needed a bathroom break, not a survival story. My
episode happened at a service plaza on a turnpike. I was traveling with 50
other passengers on a charter bus…and I was the group leader. This was one time
I wished we had played that childhood game – Follow the Leader. Maybe then I
would have had a rescue team.
I let my troops (group) off the bus and watched them disperse
into the restrooms and eateries inside the plaza. I rushed toward the women’s
restroom with a heard of other travelers seeking relief. Inside the restroom we
were all peeking into the slightly open stall doors. The last thing I wanted to
do was to walk in on someone in a Tai Chi squat position.
Once in a clean stall, I slid the metal lock into its space
on the door, then made my bladder happy. Nature called and I answered.
Ready to make my exit from the stall, I attempted to slide
the metal device to open the door. It didn’t budge. I tried again, and again
with no luck. I began to snatch the door
from the bottom, toward me. The lock still did not free itself. I planned
scenarios in my head – I could crawl underneath the stall door.
I abandoned those ideas as I remembered seeing one of our
travelers at the sink when I entered the stall. I called out in a wee voice, “Wanda…Wanda.”
The only response I heard was running water, and hand dryers blaring. I grabbed
my phone from my purse and attempted to call Wanda.
Once I unlocked my phone, a message scrolled across the top,
Wi-Fi unavailable, emergency calls only. I refused to call 9-1-1. Instead,
I said, “Lord, you parted the Red Sea, and turned water to wine; could you open
this stall door? I’m sure this will be funny later, but right now I’d like a
cup of coffee.”
I tried the lock one more time, and it opened. I said, “Thank
you,” and off I went to gather my troops to reboard the bus. The next time
nature calls when you are traveling, take a buddy.
Below are a few fun tips to get you through a situation like
the one I experienced.
- Stay
calm. Panic burns calories, but not enough to justify the stress.
- Accept
your new address. "Currently residing in Stall #3. Mail can be
slipped under the door."
3. Start
planning your autobiography. From Freedom to Flush: My Journey Behind
the Locked Door.
4. Wave
proudly at the person looking through the gap under the door. Awkward for
them, entertaining for you.
5. Keep
your sense of humor. It's lighter to carry than embarrassment.
Have you ever found yourself in an awkward situation where you
were able to later turn it into humor? Spill the beans, what happened?
