Bathrooms

You really try to do your business at the hotel before you leave for school, because otherwise you are in for a challenge when using the bathroom.  It goes something like this.  Get some toilet paper from the teacher's workroom (thank goodness they provide us some, last week it was napkins), and walk down the hall to the squatters.  The squatters are used by students and teachers alike. There are stalls, some of which don't lock, and some don't even have doors.  If the floor is wet, which is usually the case, be careful that you don't slip in. That would be a disaster. We don't think they are cleaned, because you can smell them coming down the hall.  I did see someone attempt to clean it once, but without soap.  Oh, and speaking of soap, there is none! No paper towels, no hand dryer, no toilet paper. It is called bring your own.  So, when you are ready, you call inside to make sure no one is in the unlocked stall. You step carefully into the stall and shoo away the mosquitoes. The squatter is an elongated hole in the floor, with places to put your feet. Hold your pants up off the floor while you are squatting, and do your thing. Watch the pee splatter as you go. And they think that it is more sanitary than a western style toilet! Ha!  It is rather difficult to wipe in the squatting position especially if you are overweight, have bad knees, or short arms.  Sorry for the vivid description. Don't put the paper in the toilet. Deposit it in the garbage can, including at the hotel. You do NOT put paper in the toilet. We sometimes forget and do it anyway!  Stand and pull up your pants, step off the squatter, and turn and kick the flusher to flush the toilet. Don't use your hands, because other people have mentioned that they kick it to flush. Now, imagine what is on the flusher handle, since you just stepped in it.  Step down from the squatter,  pushing the door open with your arm. Wash with only cold water, unless you have brought your own soap and towel.

Head back to the room for antibacterial wipes.  Hope that you don't have diarrhea, and feel sorry for those that did!

Enjoy your bathroom facilities! Be grateful and thankful that you don't have to use a squatter everyday!