by Becca Smith
If you have researched going to Southeast Asia I hope that somehow, somewhere you have been warned about the toilet situation they have going on over there.
An actual bathroom I came across in Vietnam, but don't worry this is actually a gross exaggeration and most squatters are fairly clean.
I would hope that you have at least heard about the “squatters”, which is a toilet with a flat top so that it is used by squatting on rather than by sitting. Which when I think about it could be more hygienic - it eliminates the skin contact. However, I had quite a hard time getting used to it, and usually had to hold the wall for support. I also heard some people suggest completely taking your pants off to use the toilet - which is a little more than I am willing to do in a public restroom.
In all reality, I was not a good traveler when it came to the toilet situation, and would often wait for the opportunity to use a regular toilet and would pass on the squatters (which would get me into trouble during long bus rides.)
Aside from the squatters, the important thing to know about restrooms in Southeast Asia is that they typically do not come equipped with toilet paper, only a wonderful little hose. Which I think is more likely the reason people suggest completely taking your pants off. Also, this use of water often led to the floors of public restrooms having a flood situation - deterring me from wearing shoes that did not cover my entire foot. So when I knew that I would be in situations when I could only use public restrooms, closed shoes and those little personal packs of tissue paper that fit nicely in a purse were my two best friends. It was always a bad day when I forgot to put my little pack of tissue paper in my purse.
I started to consider the rolls of toilet paper in hotel rooms complimentary like the soap and shampoo and never left an unused roll in a room. Sometimes I would have multiple rolls in my bag. Southeast Asia is such a magical place because you learn what you really need and what our lives in the United States has just made us accustomed to. And I have learned, that I really do need toilet paper.
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