Mar. 24, 2022

FACTS: WHEN YOU "POTTY" INSIDE OR OUTSIDE IN CHINA.

From the beginning of my Great Wall adventure, it was clear-- Nature’s Call would not offer any of the comforts of a traditional, inside bathroom. While searching remote villages for water and Chinese peanuts—my survival “fuel”--- I often used the Village’s outside bathroom or latrine.  Village after village, I quickly- learned what to expect and how to respond.  There were usually three-- sometimes four holes—each dug, by hand---deep, narrow, and scary.  The “latrines” were about one foot apart---and looked exactly- like---- narrow, open graves.

Remember—a person must  straddle the hole-- to use it properly.  WARNING: "STRADDLING" requires excellent balance.  It means a person must straddle and squat at the same time!!!!!  DO IT RIGHT OR--there's a real possibility of falling into the NASTIEST HOLE FROM HELL!!!

I noticed the Chinese men were very respectful and turned away when they saw me go toward the outdoor holes.  Traditionally, Chinese men are shy and apparently frightened of a stranger but--- Chinese women have an amazing curiosity and--- never-failed to follow me, one behind the other, to the “holes” or, as some foreigners call them: “human waste dumps.”  The Chinese women would openly-stare, giggle, point, even laugh---each time I pulled-down my running tights.

 I still remember the loud gasps when-- in one village-- the women saw me remove a tampon.  These country women-- from the farthest regions of north China-- must have thought I was a magician!  What was this thing I pulled by a string—from inside my body??!?!?   Clearly, The Chinese women had never see a tampon!  Apparently, everything about me looked different, including my body parts, because the women kept directing their fingers toward various parts of my anatomy, whispering, and-- leaning closer-- wanting to touch me, everywhere, especially my breasts!    The majority of Chinese women don’t have very-large breasts even when they nurse their babies. I learned that Chinese women in the countryside, often-breast feed each baby for as long as five years.   Although Chinese women never—publically-- touch men…. they think nothing of touching each other.  Because of my light skin, my strange outfit, and being so tall--several older Chinese women bravely reached out to touch me--.ever-so-slightly!

 Some important facts I learned from my many treks to outdoor toilets in China.  First, the user is responsible for wiping paper. Second, when the outside toilet-holes are full and running over, it’s safer to look for better accommodations-- elsewhere.

Privacy is impossible when bathrooming in China's public toilets--whether inside or outside. If a person seeks a little privacy in the countryside, one should search for a cluster of bushes, or a clump of leafy trees.  Don’t forget to always have toilet paper handy and, if possible, antibacterial hand wipes.  There won’t be any running water for "before-or-after." 

 And Now—I’ll give you a little EXTRA information--- simply because I can’t “contain” myself. THIS IS A “FIRST-EVER- REVELATION” from me to you!   After viewing countless human sewage holes--over so many years—and for  so many miles across China---I consider myself somewhat of a  OTC—an Outdoor Toilet Connoisseur.

 And So---for what it’s worth-- I will share my personal opinion: Almost All Chinese are small-framed, tiny-boned, and extremely-thin YET--- they produce gigantic bowel movements.  In fact—the Chinese have the biggest "Poops" I’ve seen-- in my lifetime!  I apologize for my frankness but---I believe in sharing my observations.

And-- Medical Studies show-- Colon/Rectal Cancer is basically "non-existent" among the Chinese People.