The Travelling Fairy DancerLet's Talk Toilets
May 13th 2008 08:08
The curtain that separated the bathroom from the kitchen was flimsy, see-through and didn't meet at the ends. A box with two unfastened slats of wood for a seat posed as a toilet and, as the floor was slippery with unimaginable substances, it was going to be hard to balance.
I contemplated leaving, but a few too many wines forced the issue and I nervously perched over the box, one hand on the wall for balance, the other desperately holding the curtain closed.
I could see the feet of the kitchen-hands walking back and forth and cringed in anticipation of someone stepping backwards only to land in my lap, or worse, knock me to the infested floor.
But, I survived, thankful I'd already learned the number one rule about travelling and toilets: always carry tissues.
No matter where you are, it's hard to escape bad toilet experiences. The disturbing encounter above was in Vietnam, but in a luxurious restaurant/bar chosen for the specific reason of hopefully escaping toilet trauma while drinking.
Men - you cannot possibly comprehend how fortunate you are in such predicaments.
Other toilet trauma hot spots:
All squat toilets: unless you have some serious thigh muscles.
Port-a-loos at music festivals: These should definately have 'WARNING, HIGHLY TOXIC' signs on them.
Underground public toilets commonly found throughout Europe: The actual toilets are generally fine, the problem is getting past the creepy attendant, being handed a few scraps of toilet paper for your money and venturing into what often resemble dark, dingy dungeons.
At the opposite end of the spectrum:
Even if you don't need to go, the 35th floor of the Sofitel, Collins Street, Melbourne, houses beautifully presented bathrooms with the added bonus of sweeping views over the city. Worth a look.
Bless the clean, functioning toilets you come across. The world certainly needs more of them.
I contemplated leaving, but a few too many wines forced the issue and I nervously perched over the box, one hand on the wall for balance, the other desperately holding the curtain closed.
I could see the feet of the kitchen-hands walking back and forth and cringed in anticipation of someone stepping backwards only to land in my lap, or worse, knock me to the infested floor.
But, I survived, thankful I'd already learned the number one rule about travelling and toilets: always carry tissues.
No matter where you are, it's hard to escape bad toilet experiences. The disturbing encounter above was in Vietnam, but in a luxurious restaurant/bar chosen for the specific reason of hopefully escaping toilet trauma while drinking.
Men - you cannot possibly comprehend how fortunate you are in such predicaments.
Other toilet trauma hot spots:
All squat toilets: unless you have some serious thigh muscles.
Port-a-loos at music festivals: These should definately have 'WARNING, HIGHLY TOXIC' signs on them.
Underground public toilets commonly found throughout Europe: The actual toilets are generally fine, the problem is getting past the creepy attendant, being handed a few scraps of toilet paper for your money and venturing into what often resemble dark, dingy dungeons.
At the opposite end of the spectrum:
Even if you don't need to go, the 35th floor of the Sofitel, Collins Street, Melbourne, houses beautifully presented bathrooms with the added bonus of sweeping views over the city. Worth a look.
Bless the clean, functioning toilets you come across. The world certainly needs more of them.
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Comment by Louella Suque
Like Yeah Whatever
I am totally disgusted with dirty, filthy, disgusting bathrooms. When finding hotels, I always make sure the bathrooms are sterile clean, with fresh, new and clean toilet bowls, shower and tiles.
Sorry about the Vietnam encounter
Comment by The Travelling Fairy Dancer
Travel Magic