Travel Tip # 2:

B.Y.O.T.P.

And by TP, I’m not talking a type of tent… I’m talking toilet paper!!!

NOTE: Robyn insisted I use this joke. So if you’re going to groan, please direct it at her.

Lots of countries have their own preferred way of disposing of the previous night’s digested dinner.

In Canada, we have the toilet, which can be found everywhere except Barrie, where they have the outhouse.

In France, they have the bidet.

And throughout Asia, they have the squat toilet.

“What’s a squat toilet” you ask?

Well, basically it’s a hole in the ground that you squat over. It’s a perfect example of “truth-in-advertising.”

I know the name sounds crude, but sometimes they’re quite elegant with beautiful tiles, chrome fixtures and a stylized trough.

And other times, they are quite literally a HOLE IN THE GROUND.

But either way, their role in your daily routine is pretty straightforward.

At first, they can be quite intimidating… “which way do I face?”, “how do I keep my balance?”, “how am I supposed to read?”

But eventually, you get used to them. In fact, sometimes the position your body is forced to be in actually helps with “the process.”

The big problem most tourists face with squat toilets is how you clean up when you’re finished.

You see, when you’re dealing with “squats”, toilet paper is not a common item.

Sometimes, there’s a hose.

Other times, there’s just a bucket of water and a scoop.

And in either case, there are never instructions.

Yeah sure – eventually you’ll figure it out. But trial & error often means a lot of awkward wet spots.

That’s why you bring your own toilet paper.

No fuss. No muss. Do what you’ve got to do and then kindly throw it in the wastebasket provided.

That’s right – put it in a wastebasket. Did I mention how reliable the septic systems are?

No?

Well, there’s a reason.