“How to Shit Around the World”

Well, I’m definitely buying this book! I realize it’s more about travel health but it reminds me of two bathroom stories.

One – I was eating at a restaurant in Bosnia and I had to pee.

The owner gave me a key to the bathroom. I had to go outside, down a little hill and around the back – which happened to be off a main street. I figured with the key this would be a nice, clean bathroom.

Maybe it was, maybe it wasn’t. All I know is that as soon as I opened the door, I saw what looked like a shower stall with a toilet seat (like the top part) around a hole in the floor. If I had only thought to take a photo. I am sure I didn’t bring the camera to the bathroom and I had other things on my mind – like deciding if I was going to attempt this!

Either way, I got freaked out and I decided to hold it. I didn’t want to insult the owners of the restaurant since they were so kind, so I just waited around the corner for a sufficient amount of time so they would think I went and then I headed back. I’m not sure what I would have done if I had to go number two!

I realize this is hardly a shocking bathroom travel moment, but for that moment, I just freaked.

I know I have popped a squat more times than I would care to remember. This would have been the same thing, just with a toilet seat on the floor!

Two – After going through customs at the airport in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I had to go to the bathroom. I knew the ride into the city would take at least an hour and I had to go. I went to the ladies room and I remember that the toilet seats were the THINNEST toilet seats I had ever seen. It was almost like the seat shouldn’t have been there because the ring was just so thin. Did notice that around the whole country. Are American asses so big that our toilet seats are so much bigger?

Let’s go. I’m sure there are funnier stories out there. Weirdest bathroom situation or observation you’ve got. Domestic or international – go.

Caveat: “When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.” – Clifton Fadiman