Something as normal as using the bathroom can be challenging.
Then there was the time I was in the suburbs of Chicago on a platform waiting for an outdoor train. I really had to go, but unfortunately there weren't any bathrooms nearby. A transit worker was kind enough to suggest I pee between the cars and that he would block me from people's sight. And that's exactly what i did. (Fortunately it was early and there wasn't anyone around or so I hoped.)
I've gone to the bathroom in a Mcdonalds in the dark, on the top of Mt. Sinai, and in Bukhara, Uzbekistan in a family's restroom that as I've said earlier looked something out of National Geographic. Basically a cesspool.
On time my sister S. went to Acapulco, Mexico and while she very astutely didn't drink the water because of fear of contamination when she got to the airport for the return flight, ordered a coke with ice cubes. Not realizing the ice cubes were bad too.
When she got on the flight, she really had the use the bathroom, but they refused to allow her to. Truly Montezuma's revenge.
Finally, there was the time that I was in Turkey at the top of a Roman Ampitheter and I felt my stomach starting to gurgle horribly. I began a trek that felt like I was on the show "The Amazing Race," or in my case the race to the bathroom. When I got there the attendant said it was "$1 to use the bathroom."
fortunately I had exact change, and I later said to my friend Mike, "That was the best dollar I ever spent."
Life Lesson 111: What can we learn from all of this? Here are a few tips
1) Always pack emergency money in case you need it, and don't forget toilet paper when traveling, hand sanitizer for good measure and imodium too. Vaccines are important as well.
2) (no pun intended) Learn about the place you are visiting ex. "Can I drink the water"
3) Be like George Castanza from Seinfeld. "Give me an address in NYC, and I'll tell you where the best bathroom is."
4) Don't be afraid to ask people for favors if it is really an emergency.
5) Go now so you don't gotta go later.
6) Garbage in, Garbage out, and that applies to drinks as well.
7) Never eat yellow snow
8) Explore the world, one bathroom at a time.
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