After a month of traveling with a roll of toilet paper in my purse, I was so excited to get to the Philippines and once again enjoy (yes, that’s right enjoy) publicly provided toilet paper. See, before the Race, I never even considered carrying toilet paper with me. Even when I visited South Africa a few years ago I only took a small travel roll, but never had to use it. That is not the case on the World Race in Asia…take note future World Racers.
We are now at debrief at Puerto Galera, a small island in the Philippines. As we divided up into separate rooms, one by one my roommates and I walked into the bathroom and came out saying, “Where’s the toilet paper?” Each time, we all had the same expression on our faces.
The only problem with having to supply our own toilet paper again is the fact that the nearest store to us is about a 30 minute car ride. Luckily, toilet paper is provided but only upon request. So every time that we run out of toilet paper, we have to go up to Margie and ask for another roll. We have now devised a plan of taking turns asking for toilet paper, it seems to work a little better since apparently we’re one of the only people who use toilet paper. Although we still get ‘the look.’ It also seems to not make us look like all we do is stay in the bathroom. We’re three women sharing one bathroom. Do you know how long a roll of toilet paper lasts with three women? I actually think some of the men haven’t gone through one roll yet.
But oh no, that is not our only toilet paper trouble. Oh no! See in Asia, the sewer system has not been developed to hold toilet paper. So for example in the States, you can flush your toilet paper but not in Asia. See, here you throw it into the trash can. Yes, you read that correctly. You throw toilet paper into the trash can even if it’s hot outside and you have no air conditioning or ventilation. If you try to sneak and flush the toilet paper, your toilet will overflow on you and your roommates will not like you very much.
During our first day at debrief, someone who had previously boarded in this room had apparently forgotten this fact and our toilet did not work. So once again we had to go to Margie and ask for a toilet to be fixed, actually we asked her if it should flush or if we just needed to bucket flush…we’ve done it so much before we really truly don’t mind and it works! But no, it was just due to the toilet paper. At this point, I’m pretty sure Margie thinks we stay in the bathroom all the time.
So just remember if you ever visit Asia, bring your own toilet paper and don’t flush it!!!
