What's Your Poison and What is the Strangest "Facilities" You've Ever Encountered on a Trip?
Dec 9th, 2005, 02:26 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What's Your Poison and What is the Strangest "Facilities" You've Ever Encountered on a Trip?
I'm having Chilean Chardonnay tonight and contemplating the question of the evening. IndyTravel gave me the idea for the topic, but I changed it up just a bit.
I've been in some strange facilities in my travels, but if I had to choose one, I would say it was in a pub in Paris in the Latin Quartier about six years ago. Male and female combined facilities with a turkish toilet that had only a set of saloon style swinging doors between you and the pay phone three feet away. Unfortunately, there was a really good looking guy on the phone and my bladder was saying "enough already!" I don't think I need to elaborate further.
So, what's your poison tonight and what is the strangest "facilities" you've ever encountered on a trip?
I've been in some strange facilities in my travels, but if I had to choose one, I would say it was in a pub in Paris in the Latin Quartier about six years ago. Male and female combined facilities with a turkish toilet that had only a set of saloon style swinging doors between you and the pay phone three feet away. Unfortunately, there was a really good looking guy on the phone and my bladder was saying "enough already!" I don't think I need to elaborate further.
So, what's your poison tonight and what is the strangest "facilities" you've ever encountered on a trip?
Dec 9th, 2005, 02:39 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Statia!
I've been waiting for this post. Back from Paris and the "Traveling Sot" tour I'm ready to play "poison."
Snowed in today so I had to work from home. Not my favorite thing. Odd things happen like personal hygiene goes out the window. I snack junk food all day. I knock off early for my favorite poison. Etc. I'm a much better person when I actually go to work.
Poison is the usual VO Manhattan.
The most unusual for me was Japan in '79. Mainly because things happened that I'd never seen before in my Midwestern years.
The public toilet at the local fair that had urinals in the front and stalls in the back. Try to be 18, male and relax enough to "start the flow" while Japanese babes whisper and giggle behind you on their way to the stalls.
The other was the bathroom of the Japanese family where I stayed. It was an outhouse but in the Japanese squat-style toilet. So it was pretty much an oval hole into a cesspool pit. Fascinating the first time or two but then just a little weird. Though I'm sure I'd be in better shape today if I had to use my thighs and squat whenever I wanted to use the facilities.
I've been waiting for this post. Back from Paris and the "Traveling Sot" tour I'm ready to play "poison."
Snowed in today so I had to work from home. Not my favorite thing. Odd things happen like personal hygiene goes out the window. I snack junk food all day. I knock off early for my favorite poison. Etc. I'm a much better person when I actually go to work.
Poison is the usual VO Manhattan.
The most unusual for me was Japan in '79. Mainly because things happened that I'd never seen before in my Midwestern years.
The public toilet at the local fair that had urinals in the front and stalls in the back. Try to be 18, male and relax enough to "start the flow" while Japanese babes whisper and giggle behind you on their way to the stalls.
The other was the bathroom of the Japanese family where I stayed. It was an outhouse but in the Japanese squat-style toilet. So it was pretty much an oval hole into a cesspool pit. Fascinating the first time or two but then just a little weird. Though I'm sure I'd be in better shape today if I had to use my thighs and squat whenever I wanted to use the facilities.
Dec 9th, 2005, 02:39 PM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Statia. La Crema Pinot in a few minutes, along w/Belgian chocolates that I got my DH for his birthday yesterday.
What exactly is a Turkish toilet?
The strangest facility I have ever been in was in Japan last spring. I had much warning about traditional style Japanese flush toliets, which are like porceline bowls set into the floor and you squat over them. So I thought I was all ready. But then I got there and went into the stall at the train station for the first time and man, oh, man, did it take some maneuvering. I am not that old but my knees hurt holding that position, adn there is NOTHING in the stall to hold onto while you squat. And my aim was not that great, ok? A major ordeal. After two weeks of this, as we were leaving the country and at the airport, my teen son said very nonchalantly, "Mom, just go in the last stall it's always a western toilet." I could have killed him for not telling me this sooner, when he knew how big an ordeal this was every time for me! Teen boys and their cruel/funny tricks.
And Japanese people say that these squat toliets are "more healthy for you." I honestly do not understand how that can be true, and no one has ever been able to explain it to me...
What exactly is a Turkish toilet?
The strangest facility I have ever been in was in Japan last spring. I had much warning about traditional style Japanese flush toliets, which are like porceline bowls set into the floor and you squat over them. So I thought I was all ready. But then I got there and went into the stall at the train station for the first time and man, oh, man, did it take some maneuvering. I am not that old but my knees hurt holding that position, adn there is NOTHING in the stall to hold onto while you squat. And my aim was not that great, ok? A major ordeal. After two weeks of this, as we were leaving the country and at the airport, my teen son said very nonchalantly, "Mom, just go in the last stall it's always a western toilet." I could have killed him for not telling me this sooner, when he knew how big an ordeal this was every time for me! Teen boys and their cruel/funny tricks.
And Japanese people say that these squat toliets are "more healthy for you." I honestly do not understand how that can be true, and no one has ever been able to explain it to me...
Dec 9th, 2005, 02:40 PM
#4
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,419
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I will get poisoned later, but facilities... in Palm Springs, CA, there is an Indian Casino.
The restrooms have metal parts made of polished brass. Everything, including the seat covers holders. So whenever you pull your pants down, you see your reflection like in a mirror.
The restrooms have metal parts made of polished brass. Everything, including the seat covers holders. So whenever you pull your pants down, you see your reflection like in a mirror.
Dec 9th, 2005, 02:46 PM
#5
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just uncorked Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir. I saw a segment on the Today show about wine pairings for Thanksgiving dinner. Pinot Noir was suggested as going well with turkey and all the sides that typically accompany the meal.
I actually ate duck at a restaurant on Thanksgiving but the waiter also suggested a Pinot Noir to go with the duck so I decided to pick up a couple bottles on my latest foray at Super Target.
The wine has been in the trunk of my car the past couple of days and is very chilly (-4 wind chill this morning... brrr...) Anyone know what temp to serve a Pinot Noir?
I actually ate duck at a restaurant on Thanksgiving but the waiter also suggested a Pinot Noir to go with the duck so I decided to pick up a couple bottles on my latest foray at Super Target.
The wine has been in the trunk of my car the past couple of days and is very chilly (-4 wind chill this morning... brrr...) Anyone know what temp to serve a Pinot Noir?
Dec 9th, 2005, 02:47 PM
#6
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh my eye, my eyes! The vivid images have forever scared me, lol!Well, I have to say that what Indy described is exactly what we encountered on a trip to Ohio many years ago. I don't remember where exactly, but I was desperate (as I usually am on car trips) for a bathroom off the highway. I entered what I thought was a bathroom, but it only had a hole in the ground! Let's just say, from that time forward, I've learned to "hold it"
No poison tonight (not unless you count ginger snaps, lol). I'm trying to (over) pack for my trip, but I'm having too much fun on the computer today.
Dec 9th, 2005, 02:53 PM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OK stw, where are you off to? It's probably here somewhere but I'm too lazy to argue with Fodor's search function.
Remember put back half of what you stuff in a suitcase. You probably won't need it. Or can buy it there.
Remember put back half of what you stuff in a suitcase. You probably won't need it. Or can buy it there.
Dec 9th, 2005, 02:54 PM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
I am snickering big-time here, guys, imagining you in these *facilities.* 
My 8 yr. old GD regales me with tales of her "bathroom adventures" when she travels to China! My poison tonight is my usual glass of Mountain Rhine, while I force myself to wrap a gift every hour or so! Happy Friday, Fodorville .... enjoy that poison. 
My 8 yr. old GD regales me with tales of her "bathroom adventures" when she travels to China! My poison tonight is my usual glass of Mountain Rhine, while I force myself to wrap a gift every hour or so! Happy Friday, Fodorville .... enjoy that poison.
Dec 9th, 2005, 02:54 PM
#9
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whoops.... about the facilities.... a traditional, very nasty and dirty Turkish toilet in the ancient town of Briancon where we had hiked up to from the modern town of Briancon while we were staying there during the Tour de France two summers ago.
DH and I were on a tour of the Tour de France with 50 cyclists from around the world crammed on a bus with our bikes pulled along behind. Every morning the driver would drop us off along the route, we'd ride our bikes on the route, watch the pros ride past then jump back on our bikes to ride some more.
The toilet on the bus broke down on day 2 of 14 so we all got very good at peeing along the side of the bus. As one of only about 8 women on board I can say we bonded well with our backs up against the bus.
DH and I were on a tour of the Tour de France with 50 cyclists from around the world crammed on a bus with our bikes pulled along behind. Every morning the driver would drop us off along the route, we'd ride our bikes on the route, watch the pros ride past then jump back on our bikes to ride some more.
The toilet on the bus broke down on day 2 of 14 so we all got very good at peeing along the side of the bus. As one of only about 8 women on board I can say we bonded well with our backs up against the bus.
Dec 9th, 2005, 02:59 PM
#11
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,199
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ha! I'm off to Boston and then New Hampshire. I know I need to pack for cold. I need my warm jacket and boots for the slushy sidewalks as we're out-and-about during the day. I need dress boots and my evening coat for the Holiday Pops. Half back, huh? How's about a 1/4 back
Dec 9th, 2005, 03:04 PM
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Alright, I'm already rolling on the floor here with your stories and realizing that my "facility" experiences haven't been so odd in comparison to some of yours.
DH is getting off work earlier than planned tonight and I MUST have this notebook off my lap when he gets home. In the meantime, however, keep 'em coming!
emd, a Turkish toilet is basically a hole in the ground, surrounded by porcelain, with actual "foot pads" to put your feet on as you aim. Yes, it gives new meaning to "thigh exercises" and playing "air wolf." BTW - I can't believe your son didn't tell you that sooner!
DH is getting off work earlier than planned tonight and I MUST have this notebook off my lap when he gets home.
In the meantime, however, keep 'em coming!emd, a Turkish toilet is basically a hole in the ground, surrounded by porcelain, with actual "foot pads" to put your feet on as you aim.
Yes, it gives new meaning to "thigh exercises" and playing "air wolf." BTW - I can't believe your son didn't tell you that sooner!
Dec 9th, 2005, 03:10 PM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Being a man I've always used the men's room due to principal. The few times I've used the ladies' loo I thought them very clean and pleasant.
I've been with a few women who had to "go" in the men's room. They've mostly said the word "nasty" a lot. Men can be such pigs in the potty.
I've been with a few women who had to "go" in the men's room. They've mostly said the word "nasty" a lot. Men can be such pigs in the potty.
Dec 9th, 2005, 03:11 PM
#17
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Drinking Sancerre and have often decided that the short line was a better option and used the men's room...always with an accomplice watching the door.
My own personal worst facilty was an open portapotty on the bow of a salmon fishing boat in Vancouver Island. We were told the bost had facilities so I drank water, juice and coffee with breakfast anticipating same.
My own personal worst facilty was an open portapotty on the bow of a salmon fishing boat in Vancouver Island. We were told the bost had facilities so I drank water, juice and coffee with breakfast anticipating same.
Dec 9th, 2005, 03:12 PM
#18
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
stw- in France whenever our bus stopped for gas we all ran inside to get in line to use the toilets because there were 2 buses traveling together on the trip. Almost every time, the women's restrooms were closed for cleaning and everyone used the men's. That was common practice as mothers didn't hesitate to take their little girls right in with them.
Dec 9th, 2005, 03:16 PM
#20
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What I don't understand is the weird double standard in Japan. They have squat toilets, but they also have these western toilets w/amazing bells and whistles. The toilet in our Westin Tokyo hotel room had a seat heating function 
, a blow drying function 
, MUSIC button (jazz, pop, classical) :-", a button that would flush quiet and slow while you were sitting down if you felt the need for a half-time flush 
, etc. Like the complete opposit of the squat toilets.
, a blow drying function , MUSIC button (jazz, pop, classical) :-", a button that would flush quiet and slow while you were sitting down if you felt the need for a half-time flush , etc. Like the complete opposit of the squat toilets.
