A very boring day indeed. So boring, in fact, I have decided to post a blog that I wrote about two years ago but never posted.
I ask for your forgiveness in advance please.
Some subjects are not normally talked about...
Toilets are one of those things that are usually not brought up in polite conversation at home. However, we are not at home and toilets can occupy a fair amount of time and energy while travelling. The reason for the focus in toilets is usually because of either the state of cleanliness or their absence. I will try to give a few examples that we have encountered over the years while travelling, plus stories told to me from other travellers.
1. As you may know we recently spent two nights on a train in India. Quite an exciting experience. Gail was the first one to 'explore' the toilet prior to going to bed. She came back and told us how to lock the door. Sounds basic but it was not. The toilet was merely a stainless steel pan with two foot rests and a hole. You need strong leg muscles to squat using one of these toilets. Basically your backside almost faces the door opening and anybody not locking the door properly would find themselves in a somewhat compromised position trying to stabilize themselves in that position on a rocking train. Fortunately Gail was merely using the sink in there to brush her teeth!
2. Also while in India we went on several game drives early in the morning. There is a stop about 1 1/2 hour after stopping. There is the only opportunity to use the facilities the whole morning. Men do not seem to have a problem, a tree will do for us or even a bush if modesty is not an issue. However women need somewhat more 'cover' to retain their dignity. None of our women used those toilets, that were the same as the men's: a reed wall with four stalls in there, each separated with a reed divider, no hole, just a bed of leaves. Maybe OK for No. 1, but if used previously by somebody for a number 2, you do not want to even be near it. [Sorry folks!]
3. While in Hong Kong we went to the 'Night Market'. That is where about dusk, vendors set up their stalls and take over a stretch of road about one kilometre long. Corner restaurants will set up tables and chairs in the street. We were seated at one of the lower class places eating a meal. [Not the best on this trip.] Another few people from the ship sat down and ordered a drink. One of the party asked to use the toilet. The waiter took him across the street and down a dark alley and said, 'here toilet'. They left.
4. While on tour, Moe has mentioned several times about toilet experiences. One funny little thing was a woman commenting to Moe on a toilet that they had encountered on the tour. Moe had used it as well. The lady commented to Moe, 'Yes, it was so nice I went twice!'
5. The public toilets on Amsterdam are about the best you can encounter in the world. Self flushing urinals, liquid soap dispenser, touchless taps and individual cotton hand towels. Wonderful.
6. About the most disgusting toilet I have ever encountered was on Mount Kilimanjaro around 12,000 feet. Many people were by then sick and the facilities were poor to start with. Hygiene seemed to be non-existent. I took one look and suddenly was constipated until we reached our own cabin 36 hours later. [Again, sorry folks.]
7. While in Europe with Ian and Judy last spring, it was Ian's and my job to go and scout out the toilet before the ladies ventured in. [Many toilets are not gender specific.] Sometimes a few words would suffice, on a few occasions the digital camera would convey the message, good or bad. Women generally have more staying power than men in that regard.
8. We encountered an amazing toilet in Australia, but I have also seen them elsewhere. [Some require a payment.] The whole room is stainless. There is only a regular bowl and seat, no urinal. You use the facilities, and when you wash your hands, [touchless taps], the bowl flushes. When you open and then close the door behind you the whole facility is drenched in a powerful shower and the toilet, seat, walls , floor and all is sterilized. A bit of a weird experience.
9. They usually give a talk on upcoming shore excursions. Great attention is paid to the conditions that passengers may encounter on the trip. They even go to the extent of saying, and this is true, 'the toilet is at a lower level and is 14 steps down'.
10. Often, women will say to a complete stranger, travelling on the same tour, 'I have to use the toilet, do you want to come with me?'
11. The day in Luxor the line up at the women's loo was seeming endless. Right next to it men where going in and out of their facility at breakneck speed. Our table companion, who shall remain nameless, finally took over the men's toilet and asked men trying to use it to please use the other facility upstairs. Who would refuse?
12. The coaches used on long trips are very modern and usually have a small toilet. The facilities are all in miniature, including the water supply. These toilets are also sometimes problematic and often malfunction enroute. The toilets are the driver's responsibility and about the last thing he wants to do is go in and fix a revolting toilet. They often lock it and say 'out of order'. Sometimes it is neglected and it is absolutely disgusting.
13. We always carry toilet tissue, hand wipes and hand sanitizer with us when going off the ship. A small price to pay for a bit of piece of mind. I really do not know why there is not more disease in the world with the sanitation facilities and habits of some countries and people. I do suppose that many of the habits of people at home leave some room for improvement as well.
14. In some places the toilets are charged per-use. A euro was the going rate in Lisbon. They are absolutely spotless. And a person cleans and wipes them down after every use.
15. In other places that the toilets are supposed to be free, some enterprising cleaner will be at the door with his hand out in a subtle way to catch some cash. You can tell the ones that payment is required very easily.
16. On some occasions a person will hand you a sheet of tissue as you go in. Gasp! I remember once in 1960 when I had, shall we say a stomach issue, that I had to stand and convince this large Yugoslavian lady that the amount she was offering was just not going to do it for me!
I am sorry for writing what may appear to be a rather crude blog. Blame my sister Moe. The other day when chatting, Moe bought up the subject and we laughed hysterically at some of the experiences. That humour is not likely conveyed in my writing but you may get some insight into one of the down-sides of travelling in certain places and countries.
This was written near the end of a World Voyage two years ago. As you can see, we have absolutely no concerns on such matters now. Especially when a very nice young man comes in and cleans it twice a day for us!
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