Hongnam [Bathroom] Confusement

Alright, girls, this goes out to you, mainly. You, and the men that have to do more than use the urinals.

You see, there are these things called "squatters" in Thailand. Simply put, they are bowls in or on the ground with wings on the side for your feet. You stand on the foot holders and straddle the bowl. You squat. You attempt to aim your duties into the procelein bowl on the floor that resembles a ery flat, backless toilet in America.

After taking care of your business (hopefully without missing), you reach to the toilet paper holder that your mind tricks you into believing ACTUALLY HAS toilet paper for use. Good luck finding toilet paper in a pblic restroom anywhere. Buy some and carry it with you. I recommend buying those purse-sized tissue packages; they're much less embarassing when people look in your bag(s). Trust me, they will look.

Then you look around for the flush handle. You won't find one on a squatter. You use the tupperware bowl in that little "kiddie pool" next to the toilet, fill it with water, and pour it into the bowl until your mess is down the drain.

Also, get used to air-drying your hands after washing them. Bathrooms tend to lack paper towels or air dryers, and starch-sewn skirts will not, I repeat NOT, dry your hands. I have only once come across a bathroom with toilet paper and hand dryers. I'll be amazed if I find another.
Then there's the home/business bathrooms. Don't be surprised to find a shower head sticking right in the middle of the wall. No bathtubs or closed-off rooms for showers, just... a shower head (or you can use the buckets an pails of water next to you to shower). The water is not warm, but you get used to it rather quickly.

Mosquitos will always be in the bathroom. I advise killing most to all of them when you first go in. Otherwise, you'll get pricked and leeched on while you're rinsing the shampoo and conditioner from your hair with difficulty.

Oh, and don't ask what that little spray hose is that's connected to the toilet.

Monica.