Fool Me Once…
Bolivia had it’s own special way of welcoming me. Once our team had made it to the Bolivian border, it took a few hours to get through their customs and receive visas. While waiting, I found the closest bathroom to use which was right around the corner of the office building. Surprise, surprise, I had to pay to use their bathroom. By now, I know not to expect any luxury when paying, but again, no toilet seats. I’m beginning to think South America thinks that not having toilet seats is a special “feature”.
After my legs had fallen asleep from balancing on the very front rim of the bowl, I was finished and ready to flush the toilet. As I turn around and press the lever…. nothing happens. If this was any indication as to how my month in Bolivia would be, I was in for one long month. After I gave up trying to fix the lever, I decided that it was their fault that the toilet doesn’t flush, and I walked out of the bathroom. As far as I was concerned, they can deal with it. That was my gift to you Bolivian toilet, courtesy of the good ole US of A.
Fool Me Twice!
Sadly, I don’t have a picture to share, but this bathroom I used quickly in Peru is very similar. It just so happens that the stall I walked into had unflushed pee sitting in the toilet. The guy must have ran into the same problem I had. Wonderful isn’t it?! I later found out that to flush the toilet, you have to go outside of the stall and fill a bucket of water and pour it into the bowl. Now don’t I just look silly thinking you could push the lever to flush.
This photo was taken at a unique cafe called Cafe Mundo. This place is small, but it is made up of 3 floors. As you go through the cafe, each room is themed from a different part of the world. Kelsey and I had lunch in “Europe”. The bathroom was also unique. On this toilet, to flush, you pull a cork on a string. Maybe Bolivia should replace all of their broken levers with corks on a string? Think about it!
In El Alto, the place that our team stayed in was actually pretty fantastic. It had a lot of rooms, a living room, kitchen, and TWO bathrooms with laundry! It was basically an apartment building. The only problem is, I had to share this place with 13 other people. It wasn’t long before using the bathrooms became an obstacle course. I took a snapshot to explain.
At first glance, it’s not bad at all. It is hard to see, but the floor is completely covered in water. Right where that drain is in front of the toilet is practically a pond. To find a dry spot to place your feet was next to impossible. And yes, that is an overflowing trash can of used toilet paper. Fun for everyone!
I successfully made it out of Bolivia alive, but I have been warned Asia is a whole new world. I can only imagine what I might encounter, probably something out of my gravest nightmares. But, to lessen my burden, I will be reporting back with my experiences so we can all share in the wonder.
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