Eiffel Tower, check, Notre Dame, check, Leaning Tower of Pisa, check. Parthenon, check, Forbidden City, check--check, check, check. If it's a famous place and we've been there, there's invariably a picture of Teri and me standing in front of it
Why is that? It's not like we don't know we were there, and it's not like anyone else cares to know what we look like standing in the Piazza San Marco.
Sometimes I think that it would be far more interesting to take more pictures of things that are different from back home but are more mundane. You know, strange street signs, train stations--stuff like that. For instance I took a couple of pictures of us outside of a Wal-Mart in China, but I didn't think to take pictures of the inside--and that Wal-Mart was way interesting. So why do I insist on having my picture taken outside the Colosseum in Rome--we've all seen pictures of that before--and not pictures of Italians pushing and shoving their way to the front of the counter for gelato on a hot summer night?Which brings me to the subject of plumbing.
One of the "little differences" you'll discover on our journey is that not all porcelain is created equal. I thought I'd write a few amusing words about potties around the world and especially in France, and I Googled a few key terms in hopes of finding a picture or two that I could use (start with the terms "french toilet" and "squat toilet" to commence your own trip down this rabbit hole).
Well I was stunned to find out just how fascinated the denizens of the world wide web are with all things flushable. There is so much more out there than you could ever possibly digest. There are also gazillions of pictures of people in (but not on) toilets around the world. One hilarious short video clip shows a young American woman hunting in vain for the toilet inside her Paris hotel bathroom click here to see it.
I'm so glad that while I was getting my picture taken in front of the Louvre, these people were busy capturing the "real" France.
So here's what you need to know about toilets in France:
Somewhere along the line you may encounter the dreaded squat toilet (aka squattie pottie or squatteria as my dear spouse likes to refer to them). I've included a picture of one here. These are common in Asia and there are still quite a few in southern Europe, but I bet they're mostly gone from France by now. However if you do happen to encounter one of these, I wish you good luck ladies.
Sometimes you'll have to puzzle out how to make your toilet work. There are lots of different kinds of toilets in use in France, and some seem to date back to the age of Charlemagne. Figuring out what to pull, push or step on to achieve a flush is half the fun.
Modern toilets everywhere except in the US often have two buttons on top. One button is for number one and the other button is for number two. I've never figured out which is which and often have to push both buttons repeatedly to get the darn things to achieve their intended aim.
At some point along the way, you'll end up using one of the space age self-sanitizing toilets found in most major cities in France (see picture). That'll be a cultural experience for you.
WC is code for toilet everywhere except in the US. WC stands for water closet. Phonetically in French you would ask "ooo ay le doobla vay say" if you're searching for the facilities.
When you've found the toilets, don't be surprised if there's a little old lady there to take up a little coinage in return for renting you a spot and handing you a few sheets of potty paper. It's a bargain as these toilets are invariably very clean.
Also don't be surprised if the toilet in your cafe is more or less co-ed. Ladies you may have to walk past gentlemen standing at the urinals on your way to the stalls.
There's more, much more, but I have to leave some things for you to discover on your own.
3 comments:
Okay, I knew that sooner or later we would talk potty. The last time I was in Paris, they had these stands that went from about knee to head. Your feet and head would be visible. YOu could go in and pee in the gutter. They called them (and I am so not sure of the spelling and you must have the French accent)"pisswaughs". I am so glad to see that they have moved up to a fully contained port-o-let.
I have personally used the hole in the floor. The picture you showed was very nice. And yes it is very hard for ladies to go. It was most likely designed by a man. I think the first time I ever saw one, I went to the bushes. It was cleaner there.
I think the buttons for Number one an Number two are just for that. Think about it....
CUBA was great and I miss it already.
KC
Well, at least the blog has been up and running for seven months before we got to this point, so you have to admire our collective restraint in avoiding this topic until now.
The word you're looking for is pissoir and I also remember those on the streets of Paris when I was a little kid. If you Google that word and then click on "images" you can see some old pictures of them.
The new self-cleaning street toilets are much, much nicer.
Kathy, can you e-mail a picture of you and/or Beau in Cuba to me so I can share with the group?
OK, now you're getting into MY territory. I expect everyone to be as photogenic as H&T, to stand wherever I tell them to, and to not chew the scenery. We will be creating scenes that will convey the sense of awe and wonder, of concentration and thoughtfulness, and of gawking dweebness, not necessarily in that order. I expect everyone to bring their best Jean-Paul Belmondo sulk and Catherine Deneuve detachment, based loosely on gender preferences (although, if you want to explore a bit of transgenderation, that will be fine, just don't expect your fellow travelers to clamor to sit next to you at dinner afterwards) There will be opportunity for emoting every day, and the lack of proper toidy facilities is as good an excuse as any. Personally, I plan to do my own version of Brando yelling "Stella" beneath every balcony we pass.
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