It is fascinating and very enlightening to live here -- and to learn. There are so many things which we take for granted and really don't even give a second thought to in the States.
We had just finished teaching English and were planning on going shopping, but I needed to use the restroom. I asked our students where the 'toilet' was (that's what they call it here) and she showed me.
Both stalls were occupied, so I waited. Much to my shock, a couple of moments later a lady exited one of the stalls! As I stood there for a moment dumbfounded and not quite sure what to do next, I finally remembered that we had been told that many of the restrooms here were 'coed'. I wasn't quite certain what to do but finally summoned the where-with-all to proceed.
I entered the stall only to discover that there was no toilet paper and, indeed, no place for a supply to be kept anyway. Then I also remembered that we had been told such was the norm here. You have to carry your own supply with you.
Oh well. I could wait.
We began our shopping trip and found ourselves in one of the nicest stores in town. I thought that perhaps I might have better success there. So, I asked where the restroom was and was directed to the right place.
Ahhhh! Separate restrooms! My fortune was changing! I pushed the door open and entered ---- only to have the cleaning WOMAN follow me through the door, who then went right to work cleaning the restroom -- as I was standing there -- in the middle of the men's room -- wondering what I should do next!
Wow -- two dumbfounded moments in one day!
And I really tried, mind you, I really did. But I just couldn't bring myself to - well - you know! After all, a man's dignity can only be pushed so far!
I really didn't need to 'go' anyway! (Besides, I did check and there wasn't any TP there either!)
I can't wait to see what tomorrow might bring! Stay tuned!
6 comments:
I had an experience like that in Ecuador last fall. Our group (the people we brought on tour from Utah) was finishing up in a restrauant. Several people were going to the bathroom so I decided to go to. Delbert and I stood up at the same time, walked to the door of the restroom. There was only one door, we thought that when we got through the door we would be in a small hall, one way would go to the ladies and the other way would go to the mens. Kinda like McDonalds in the states. WRONG We found ourselves in one room with one sink and two half doors. One said girls and one said boys. We looked at each other and we each went into our stalls. There we said next to each other, with a thin little half wall between us. We could hear each other. We flushed and walked out together, he let me wash my hands first. Oh my gosh, he'll never let me live it down.
The only thing I can say is "no comment. . ."
Wow!! The things that we take for granted that we don't even know we take for granted. You are teach us all a lot, I can't imagine how much you are actually learning being over there! Maybe we should send you some of those travel packs of toilet paper, just in case. Of course, the toilet paper wasn't really the big issue here was it!?! CRAZY!!
Hahahahaha! Too funny! (I'm laughing with you, not at you).
I'm laughing at you.... :)
This is similar to my out lying areas in China. Only e had to squat to a hole in the floor. I had a bad leg and had to spread eagle with my hands on the floor to balance myself. Belive me I was my hands for 30 minutes agfer. I hav efound the scroudrals who assigned you. Do you want me to take them out?
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