Squat Toilets…what’s all the flush?

The reward for the best Squat Toilet scene in a movie by no doubt goes to Slum Dog Millionaire.  It’s actually a very big smelly problem in countries like India.This is a great video from YouTube done by user rahulbrown that gives a good understanding of how valuable something most of us take advantage of everyday.

Toilets along the way

Yeah… it’s something everyone thinks about if you are on a crowded public bus or van in a foreign country.  “How long is this trip really going to take, will we stop for a toilet break and what kind of porcelain throne will be put before me?”  Being a women who occasionally gets sick (ok…let’s say I make sure I have a good amount of Cipro with me on each trip) it’s always on my mind for one reason or another.   There’s never a need to panic when it comes to using the least favorite option:  a swat toilet.  Just let it be clean.

It’s all in the technique

Just make sure you correctly use it, don’t flush anything down the toilet if it does flush (that’s what the bucket is for or is it for the flushing part or both?  Just do what you think others have done before you)  Travelers going off the beaten path will most likely encounter the squat toilet in some shape or form.  They can even be found in rural areas of Europe and Japan.  There not just South Asia.  Travelers need to just get over it when to these places.  It’s a good reason to get those inner thigh and glut muscles toned before the trip and get use of the face mask if it’s smelly. Just be sensitive to those who have no other options.

Here’s some supposed healthy reasons why you should use the squat position.  The best thing a woman can do is like the Army ad says be prepared.  A good tip for women is to bring along a long skirt since it’s difficult to keep your pant bottoms from hitting the squat toilet floor (icky)  There is a reason why most women around the world just wear dresses and skirts (men too).  Or, just use some common sense and roll the legs up before entering then take a deep breathe and focus on getting things done.  Oh yeah, and don’t forget the TP and that person hanging out isn’t just hanging out.  They probably have the job of selling TP and or cleaning up.  Do them a favor and give up some coin.

It’s all a part of the experience.  If anything, mastering it makes for good travel anecdotes at the end of the day.  I wish I had some pictures of toilets I have mastered but I usually didn’t want to stay to long and/or accidentally drop my camera in the bottomless hole (see toilet scene from Slumdog Millionaire)

Happy Squatting and remember to wash those hands.

The Amazing Race…and the travel contestant

You’re in the taxi on the way to the airport.  Of course, the driver is chatting on his phone and decided to take the beltway to JFK since it’s longer and maybe he thinks he can travel it without having the use the brakes.  It’s the typical kamikaze ride to the airport.  Most taxi drivers enjoy the guarantee of a high rate and will pick up someone at the airport who will guarantee the same back to the city.  You get out, pay the rate which is always higher than the one you paid a week before and grab your pack that weighs more than you remember it.  You have arrived at JFK and begin the journey of the unknown to hopefully a new and unfamiliar place.  There are still many challenges ahead which include interaction with check-in, the idiots in the TSA (will they take something you need away?), and unknown passengers you will sit next to, fight for arm and overhead room and the usual quick-tempered flight attendant.  This is your own personal Amazing Race and you are up for the challenge.

I’m not really a fan of reality television shows since most are done on the cheap and seem to exploit anything and everything.  I’ve started to watch the latest series of the show the Amazing Race and find that this one is more than meets the eye.  It may even either inspire people to go out and explore the world or just learn a thing or two about what goes on when couples unpreparedly go out and explore the world.  When I catch an episode it always takes me back to my own travel experiences.  It’s nice to see others suffer the usual travel conundrums.

As most, the show has recruited the usual dumb blonde, senior citizen, macho guys/girls with strong accents, and hill billy teams.  These people are for better or worse a good cross-section of the U.S. population.  It’s hard to say who is a typical American but there is a good mix.  The teams all can be stereotyped and they are all guilty of pointed that out along the way.  It makes for good drama since the stereotypes ended up not being so stereotypical.  Who would have thought that the cowboys would have finished first in the second round?

As travelers, we can all relate to situations that they encounter along the way.  I have personally  had problems of being at the wrong bus terminal not knowing that there are more than one in town,  been misunderstood by locals since I unfortunately don’t know spanish well enough to have a conversation, and have missed bus connections and had to stay a night in a town where I wasn’t planning on visiting.  These are all things that travelers encounter and it’s all a part of the learning process.

Yeah, it’s another reality tv show but it at least shows how easy traveling to a foreign country can be.  The only requirement needed is just the drive and the desire to see and experience new things and learn something new about others and yourself.  A new traveler doesn’t need to even know the local language to get around.   The Amazing Race teams all look like they are having the times of their lives even when they end up getting eliminated.

I’m secretly hoping for a complete meltdown between couples on this show.  Couples traveling usually have at least one good one.  These guys are just seemed to cooperate wat too much and are too forgiving when one majorly screws up.  It just won’t be a reality show if there wasn’t any real drama right?  I’m sure it’s coming soon.

What do you think?  Can you relate to the Amazing Race?

Airline fees 101: Part 2 In-flight services

Remember the day where you got on the plane, got greeted with a friendly smile, were handed a baby blue stethoscope-lke headphone set, a pillow, blanket and possibly a meal all for the cost of the flight?  Sure, the small screen was in the front, people smoking could make it hard to see and the food was worse than what they serve in a hospital cafeteria but it was included.  Those days are over.  Airlines are getting themselves out of the red and once again seeing record profits all because they are charging for things that are other than the seat reservation.  Travelers can’t complain because airfares used to not be as “cheap” as they can be today and things like cost of living expenses, airline employee wages and price of fuel will always continue to rise.

Here’s a list of the fees broken down by airline straight from their sites.  I have linked the menu pages of each airline for more details on the menu not included.   If these options don’t excite you or you happen to have time to grab something beforehand than least the restaurant choices in most airport terminals have come a long way.  Much better then the old days usually, but there are usually no bargains.  I would also like to note that most airlines no longer except cash, so have your credit card handy if you do decide to purchase a meal, snack, drink, pillow or blanket on board.

American:

Passengers traveling domestically (flights 2-3 hours in length)  in the U.S. can purchase snacks, meals and alcoholic beverages at their seat by credit card only.   Nonalcoholic beverages are still complimentary.   Breakfast items for flights over 2 hours cost $3.99-6 and lunch/dinner items go for $10 and snacks at anytime cost anywhere from $3-4.  If passengers are interesting in an alcoholic beverage then it will set them back $7-8 per cocktail.

Pillow and blanket:  $8 (hopefully this means they clean them now)

Continental:

This airline is the only big player left that is offering complimentary nonalcoholic beverages, snacks and meals (domestic flights over 3 hours).  This may end at some point but for now love them or hate them…they are free.

Pillows/blankets:  complimentary still 🙂

Delta:

For flights over a half an hour there are complimentary peanuts or Biscoff cookies for a snack and a selection of complementary nonalcoholic beverage is available.

In addition to the complimentary snacks and beverages Delta offers a selection of high quality snacks for purchase from the All Day Goodies section of our EATS menu on flights from about 1.5+ hours.

For flights about 3.5+ hours,  the EATS menu and snacks are available for purchase, is available on Domestic (U.S. and Canada), Latin American, and Caribbean flights greater than 1,500 miles, or about 3.5 hours, during meal times. Breakfast is available from 5am-9:45am and lunch/dinner is available from 9:46am-8pm. They advise on their website that you print the entire EATS menu and order your selections from your flight attendant.

Please note that snack and beverage choices may change at any time and not all items are available on all flights.

Breakfast choices:  $3-6
Lunch/Dinner Choices:  $6-8
All day choices:  $3-5

Pillow/Blanket:  FREE

Jet Blue:

This airline is pretty straight forward and has been consistent from the start.  There are no meals but snacks and nonalcoholic beverages are complimentary.  Cocktails go for $6.

Pillow/Blanket:  $7 but it comes not only with a $5 coupon for Bed, Bath and Beyond but it comes in a carrying case so you can take it home with you.

Southwest:

This low-cost airline has offered complimentary snacks and nonalcoholic beverages from the beginning.  Cocktails will set you back $5 and they only take credit cards.

Pillows/Blankets:  not available so you have to bring your own.  They pulled them off after the H1N1 scares.

United:

They followed suite and do offer complimentary nonalcoholic beverages on all flights but charge for snacks and meals.    On flights less than 2 hours you can only purchase cocktails and no food (interesting)  On flights 2-3 hours in length passengers in economy can purchase:

A la carte snacks ($3) offered on all flights over 2 hours

Snackboxes ($6-7) offered on all flights over 2 hours

Fresh Food Offerings ($3-9) offered on flights over 3 hours along with the above snack options.

Pillows/Blankets:  not available on domestic flights

The thought of having to pay for things like food, pillows and blankets doesn’t actually really bother me.  I usually am not to bold over by the quality and/or taste of the free offerings of the past.  The additional charge for the pillows and blankets are acceptable as well.  I mean, who knows where they have been hanging out.  The ones you see tossed on the floor in business and first class most likely will be picked up and neatly folded back into a clean plastic bag.  Ready to be used by the next passenger as a napkin, face wipe or worse.

Airline fees 101 (Part One: Your baggage)

The airlines seem to be in acceleration mode when it comes to adding in fees and increasing traditional ones in the late.  There are so many to sort through that I’m blogging about them one at a time.  I have compiled a list of major airlines and what they are currently charging as of February 2010.  As most travelers have come to know, these fees can go up at a moments notice so they are subject to change.  And go up they will.  Another thing, these fees are for each way so the double on a round trip ticket.  One more good reason to pack light.

American:

1st bag (50 lbs. + 62″):  $25 domestic (U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands)$15 (to/from Canada) international: free

2nd bag:  (50 lbs. + 62″):  $35 domestic (U.S., Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands)$25 (to/from Canada) international: $50

Continental Airlines:

1st bag (50 lbs. + 62″):  $23 (online check-in) $25 airport check-in domestic (U.S., Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) international: free

2nd bag:  (50 lbs. + 62″):  $32 (online check-in) $35 (airport check-in) domestic (U.S., Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) international: $27 (online)  $30 (airport)  except Europe is $45 (online)  $50 (airport)

Delta:

1st bag (50 lbs. + 62″):  $23 (online check-in) $25 airport check-in domestic (U.S., Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) international: free

2nd bag:  (50 lbs. + 62″):  $32 (online check-in) $35 (airport check-in) domestic (U.S., Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) international: $50 (online)  $55 (airport)

Trips to the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia allow 2 checked bags for free

Jet Blue Airways:

1st bag (50 lbs. + 62″):  free (U.S., Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) international: free

2nd bag:  (50 lbs. + 62″):  $30 domestic (U.S., Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) international: free

Southwest:

1st bag (50 lbs. + 62″):  free domestic and no international flights as of now

2nd bag:  (50 lbs. + 62″):  free domestic and no international flights as of now

United:

1st bag (50 lbs. + 62″):  $25 (U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) international: free

2nd bag:  (50 lbs. + 62″):  $35 domestic (U.S., Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) International U.S. to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean: $27 (online check-in) $30 (airport check-in)  International U.S. to Europe, Russia and India: $45 (online check-in) $50 (airport check-in) International (everywhere else) allowed 2 checked bags for free

Virgin Atlantic/America

1st bag (70 lbs. + 62″):  $25 (continental U.S only)  international: free

2nd bag:  (50 lbs. + 62″):  $25 domestic (continental U.S. only) international: free


Valentine’s Day around the World

Tomorrow is Valentines Day.  Many lovers around the world will be scurrying to pick up last-minute chocolates, flowers and cute stuffed animals to show there love and affection they feel for one another.  Many countries around the world celebrate this day in their own way.

The traditional Valentine’s Day card industry began in my home state of Massachusetts.  A woman by the name of Esther Howland of  Worcester, MA decided to replicate the fancy hand written cards she had received from Britain.  The holiday just took off from here.   Today, Valentine’s Day cards represent the second biggest card-sending holiday of the year.

A similar situation occured when the Conversational fruit flavored Hearts were invented. They were originally made in Glasgow, UK by the brother of the Necco Company (based in the Boston Area of Massachusetts) and called Sweethearts in the 1860’s.  The Sweethearts were originally used for weddings since the heart candies inscriptions traditionally were “Marry Me” themed messages.  The UK-based Swizzels began producing their Love Hearts in 1933 and the US-based Necco began producing their Sweethearts line earlier in 1902.

Many other countries around the world have adopted this holiday even though todays version has a much different from its original version.  Saint Valentine was a Roman priest who was found guilty of marrying Christians and later executed for the crime.  The day of his death was February 14th and feast is held on this day to commemorate his death.  It was later when Chaucer associated this saint with romantic love.

Día del Amor y la Amistad

In Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador and Costa Rica call the holiday Dia del Amor y la Amistad or day of love and friendship. Finland and Estonia do the same.  The celebrations are pretty much similar to ones in the US but they incorporate friends in as well.  The flowers are a must along with lingerie.

White Day

In Japan and South Korea February 14th is a day where women traditionally give men chocolates.  The men later reciprocate the offer on March 14th by giving a non-chocolate give to women.  This holiday is known as White Day.  On April 14th in South Korea its traditional for those who didn’t receive anything on either days to go to a Chinese restaurant and eat themselves silly with a huge meal of black noodles.  This is known as Black Day there since they are mourning that they are single status.

Valentine’s Day banned?

Valentine’s Day has caused some outrage in countries where many see it as blasphemous.   The day sparks skirmishes between some Hindu extremists and non-hindu indians.  They usually threaten to attack Indian couples celebrating the holiday since they see it as encouraging obscene sexual behaviors.  These are the same people who strongly oppose Bollywood films.

Saudi Arabia has banned the holiday and any selling of flowers, chocolates and  even wrapping paper on February 14th just because it is a Christian holiday.  Pakistan also bans the holiday saying that it is a “shameful day” and an insult to Islam.

Valentine’s Day has been and will always be a Hallmark holiday.  For some, they need to be reminded to celebrate those they love and show them by showering them with gifts of chocolate, flowers, cards and jewelry. What’s so bad about that?  Happy V-Day!

A little slice of paradise

wo years ago this week my husband and I we stuck in Phuket, Thailand.   For most being stuck in a tropical resort beach with nothing to do but looking at naked Europeans and ladyboys playing volleyball in 70-80’s F temperatures is heaven.  For us it was just killing time and itching for something with more adventure.

We had arrived in Hong Kong at the end of 2007. We had unfortunately applied for our visas to China after the unforseen Tibetan riots occurred in Tibet, so this ment we could only be issued a single entry 30 day visa.  The Chinese government had totally messed up our plan.  We had not only planned to stay in China for 6 weeks but our travel path would have taken us over the Himalayas and into a whole different part of Asia and not Thailand.  We love south-east asia but had been to Vietnam and Cambodia a few years back and wanted to see experience traveling in northern India, Burma and then way down to Malaysia and Bali for some beach time.

I’m not saying that Thailand isn’t a great place to visit.  The people seemed very friendly but since they were still in recovery mode and most of the visitors to the area were those from the Euro zone countries prices were incredibly high and I could have been on any island in the Caribbean for the experience I got there.  Very commercialized and tacky.  The only good feeling I got was that I was helping a cause when I was there.  The hotel we stayed was rebuilt and run by a family who had most likely been a victim of the tsunami two years earlier.  We selected places to eat based not on popularity but whether it was locally owned and run.  There were no trips to Starbuck’s, McDonald’s or any of the chain restaurants that had re-established themselves there.

The only sadness I had in leaving was knowing that this area had a tough road ahead of them.  We had spent our days hiking up either side of Patong Beach to the outskirts of town.  These areas where either abandoned or being turned into very high-end condominium developments in the hills overlooking the beach that was once a place of very high devastation.  The only reminder of the tsunami was a small memorial located not far from the beach area.  It’s a simple construction which people have placed small elephant figurines and other mementos on it to show remembrance of love ones lost.

The early morning we left behind the cheap massages on the beach, the overzealous prostitutes, the noisy waterfront and the ladyboy that was ironically waving at our taxi as we skipped town.  He/she in her/his magenta wig pretty much summed up the place.  I don’t mean to discourage those in going to Phuket but know that it’s not like Leonardo’s movie.  If you are in for a place where you can recover from your hangover on the beach, ride an elephant through the jungle and get a cheap massage it’s a great place to go.  I only wish them well in there own journey to full recovery and hope they are better prepared next time.

Please let me know your thoughts on the matter of Phuket or other places like it.  I would love to hear other travelers comments.