Lessons from the stall (or no stall)

[Operator 1,927]

I am lucky to have had the opportunity to travel around this beautiful big blue marble we live on and most of those experiences I would not change as some of them have changed me. Like meeting my wife.

Yesterday I saw a picture of a lovely bejeweled toilet from Japan on a post here and it started me thinking of plumbing around the world. The good, the bad, the odd....and the really down right nasty.

I always find other traveler's tales of public facilities humorous and sometimes educational so I thought I'd start a thread of shared public toilet experiences. Hopefully to amuse or possibly educate but certainly not to offend. If you find this topic devoid of any social benefit then I apologize and am sorry that you have no sense of humor.

Lessons I have learned:

1. After my first visit many years ago to less developed parts of China I discovered that my thigh muscles are not well conditioned for long visits to the squat toilet. In a public facility this can result in funny looks from your fellow relievers when you have to stand up and stretch out a cramp mid-job. My advice is to work on conditioning.

2. After making the mistake of drinking draught beer instead of bottled in Torreon, Mexico I paid the price and so did the rest room. The lesson here is not about choosing bottles over draught (you have to learn that on your own). The lesson here is if the bartender is responsible for ensuring the hygiene of the facilities make sure you run faster than him.

3. I made a trip last year to the Northwest of India and spent some time in some small towns. I found the people to be wonderful. Not being accustomed to the food I had a tendency to locate the facilities of any place I was visiting just to be sure I knew the correct and quickest route. My lesson was that I found I was not to ashamed to find a discreet location outside and as a foreigner I was cut some slack. How many of us would do the same here in the US for a visitor who couldn't find the can?

4. As any seasoned traveler knows its always advisable to carry a small bit of...shall we say, therapeutic papers, when we are in a strange land. The lesson I learned on a hot, rainy April day in Hangzou several years back was two fold. The train station restrooms are not stocked with any sort of paper products and the locals really frown on the use of their currency for anything other than circulating around the economy. Sorry sweety I know you don't like it when I tell this story.

I hope I haven't put anyone off. Just a little lite forum discussion before the holiday season.

Happy holidays to all my VJ friends!

[bigdog 377]

O - I can agree with you on all points. Before I went to China the first time, i was told "if their is a facility use it now", don't Wait. Great points and a happy first Christmas to you.

[Operator 1,927]

Thank you! It's actually our 3rd together but first as a married couple. Happy holidays to you and yours.