An Inconvenient Truth

I'm not shocked by squat toilets. Visiting Taiwan as a child, often that was the only option in public spaces. So although it's not a big deal, I certainly don't enjoy using them.

Having thought Saudi Arabia was a relatively developed country, I was surprised the first time I encountered squat toilets in the shopping malls. And in the restaurants. Thankfully, each place has at least one sit-down toilet, and I've stubbornly waited to use it. I'm already off-balance with my 24-weeks pregnant belly, wearing a floor-length abaya over my jeans, so it's not exactly the easiest task to handle if I have to squat on the floor as well. Also, the floors are usually sopping wet since (I only learned about this two weeks ago) ablution is required before praying, and THEY PRAY 5 TIMES A DAY! There are hand-held little showers in each stall, and please, I don't even want to imagine what they are cleaning with these hoses, much less what residue I am stepping on.

Actually, some of these public restrooms are quite clean, as there is an attendant that cleans up each individual stall after every use. Each stall has a little drain on the floor, and the attendant sprays everything with the hose. It's kind of nice, and weird, to go into a pristine Starbucks bathroom.

Hi, my name is Pauline and I carry toilet paper in my purse.

One other thing I learned quickly was to keep a roll of toilet paper with me at all times. Many places either do not restock, or never had any in the first place, toilet paper in the bathroom. At least they have the little dispenser contraption nailed on the wall, so at first glance you'd think they just ran out. And then the panicked realization sets in after sticking your head in every stall. And of course, there are only hand dryers by the sink, so you don't even have hope to use the rough paper towels. I am taunted by the empty dispensers! At least in China they don't even have any toilet paper dispensers mounted in the stall, so you know for sure you're never gettin' any!

One other phenomenon is that many toilets are missing toilet seats! I'm balanced precariously on the edge of these enormous toilet bowls. I thought the first one was a fluke, but then I came face-to-bowl with another, and another... Where have all the toilet seats gone, Pete Seeger?