We are so blessed by our living arrangements this month. We have western toilets, hot water, a kitchen, and a washing machine. And while China is generally a very developed country, there is one thing that has slipped through the cracks – the shower.
So for all of you back home in America, with your beautiful shower heads mounted firmly on your tiled walls, here is a sneak peek into the Chinese showering process.
Step 1: Put on your flip flops (but for real… this is not optional).
Step 2: Hold shower head in one hand, turn on the water, and rinse off.
Step 3: Turn off water, put down the shower head, walk to the other side of the bathroom to get soap, and lather.
Step 4: Walk back to shower head, turn on water, and rinse.
Repeat steps 2-4 as needed.
Step 5: Take the broom and sweep the water (that is now flooding the floor) into the drain. Oh, I forgot to mention there's no shower curtain? Yeah, well there's not. Continue to sweep water into the drain for approximately five minutes.
Step 6: Dry off, get dressed, and pat self on back for a job well done.
It's really not as bad or as weird as it sounds. I'm already used to it. But it's easy to quickly become desensitized to foreign things and forget that life is indeed different this year.
While we have western toilets in our apartment, public restrooms have squatty potties. Those are already starting to feel somewhat normal to me too. In fact, my first, second, and third times peeing in a squatty potty were on a moving train. That will definitely make you a pro in a matter of seconds. Although I may or may not have christened my foot at one point. Hey, that's life on the race I suppose.
Sorry for the TMI. That's just how I roll. Peace and blessings to each of you. Now you are all ready to shower in China. 🙂
