Bathroom Duties

Regardless of what you call it....the John, the Pot, the Commode, the Throne, etc...you're going to need to use it.

Most, if not all, of the time you'll have access to a "normal" Western toilet.   But you'll notice some differences in public restrooms.

1. No Toilet Paper - carry some in your purse or day pack.
2. No Soap (often) - carry some alcohol cleanser in your purse or day pack.
3. No Towel - carry a small washcloth or handkerchief
4. No Sink (sometimes) - but there will be a water faucet in the toilet stall (the Indian version of toilet paper).  You can rinse your hands there (and your nether regions if you so desire).  Every restaurant will have hand washing stations, however.

*Might as well toss some Imodium in your purse, too, in case Indian Spices and lots of vegetarian water-based foods get you going more than you'd like*

There will usually be the option of a Western or an Eastern toilet stall.  If you get an Eastern one, don't panic (and don't fall in! just kidding - that would be really hard to do).  If you feel nervous, remember that Easterners using a Western toilet feel the same way, as evident by this picture we took while in Japan last month:

It's normal to have a fear of the unknown, but if you've ever been camping, you already know how to squat and pee.  Have you heard of the squatty potty?  Apparently it's healthier to squat anyway ("it makes going #2...#1).

Now, what you've all been waiting for, the obligatory HOW TO USE AN EASTERN LATRINE VIDEO.  He keeps switching between English and Tamil, so don't be alarmed if you don't catch everything he says.