Squattie Potties... the thigh workout you never knew you could have.

My first squattie pottie experience was in Ecuador. In a tiny little hillside village that couldn't have held more then 15 families at most. We were visiting different family farms and took time to pray with many of them. After about three hours I had to go pee and asked where the nearest toilet was. Of course I was pointed in the direction of a tiny shack that looked like it couldn't possibly house a proper toilet. Once I stepped into the structure of shrunken, holey wood I stopped. There was what looked like the base of a toilet, you know the hole in the ground but no toilet. Moreover, there was no flush and no toilet paper! Hmmm... Ever quick on my whits (actually I just remembered someone mentioning this predicament before), I decided that the bucket that I saw floating in the pool of water outside of the shack must be for flushing. I toted back my bucket, peed and flushed. It was actually quite an experience to liven up the normal bathroom routine. ;)

Now the whole squatting thing can be quite tricky (ladies I know) because if one is, well off aim then disaster strikes! To make sure you are going to get the right aim do a few practice squats before you drop trou. (It's actually a good thigh/bun workout.)

Now the really gross part. Most Americans expect to have toilet paper in the bathroom they use, regardless of if its a Nordstrom's, movie theater, a friends house or a 7-11 toilet. There should be toilet paper right? Nope! People toilet paper is a luxury, not a necessity. Yes, it may seem like the world is ending once you get comfortable on your porcelin throne and there is no Quilted Northern Ultra Plush; but alas you will live if it does not miraculously appear. Asia seldom offers toilet paper for free, especially in Cambodia and Thailand. So remember your own and remember to toss it in the wastepaper basket or next time you will be stepping in what you ought not to due to the sensitive plumbing.

My second experiences with squattie potties were in Cambodia and then again in Thailand. (Just ask Tori or Brad about Ecuador or Andrea about Thailand or Lacie about the Philippines, they all experienced the "joys" of squattie potties as well.)

Now I live in Korea, which mind you is a rather developed country, so I didn't expect to encounter a squattie pottie here. However, my school (which is about 10 years old) still boast the porcelin floor pot. Korean style squatties have a flush though so there is no need to fill up a bucket and wash your business down. My school pottie is pictured.

So if you ever travel to Asia always remember aim smart, bring your own toilet paper, toss your waste in the basket and flush with the bucket.