Bathrooms: Shitters and Showers

This topic is near and dear to my heart. It is a lengthy subject. There is always something new and unusual to discuss. I have come to learn many things about bathrooms here in South America ... so here is my newest list ...

Ten things you need to know about bathrooms in South America:

1. Toilet seats are a priviledge not a right. Pop a squat, sit in the rim, whatever ... you have to pee so get over it.

2. The same goes for shower curtains.

3. And toilet paper.

4. Also for sinks being securely attached to the wall.

5. Wait ... that toilet FLUSHES??? What ARE you complaining about?????

6. When you dont scoop enough water into the toilet in the middle of the night (using your standard half-a-carton jug from the freestanding bucket full of water in the corner of the outhouse) when there is no light and you have no idea what youre doing ... the toilet does not flush, you do not realize it, and bad things happen.

7. A bare-lightbulb-directly-above-the-shower floorplan makes more sense than moving it over a foot outside of the stall. After all, its more fun to wash your hair thinking youre going to start an electrical fire any moment.

8. Electric "hot" showers mean that the water is not totally freezing (just mostly).

9. Also, dont even think of making any sudden movements in electric showers because if you touch the showerhead, you get shocked.

10. When the shower only has one water knob, you know youre in for it.