Interlude - When in Rome...

Dear reader, 

Forgive the delicate subject matter of this instalment. If you are of a nervous disposition, please don’t worry we will get through it together and be enlightened at the end. 

For me “when in Rome” while in Sri Lanka applies to eating local food, surviving public transport and now, how to use a toilet. 

You may have noticed on your travels to Asia an innocuous little water hose next to the lavatory. If like me you are a true stiff upper-lipped Brit you’ve probably ignored them and continue to use the toilet paper or bring you own when there is none. I never knew or wanted to know how things could be done differently. 

On this trip however, I was encouraged to try using what I am now calling the ‘personal hose’. In case you aren’t sure what I’m talking about it’s a flexible plastic hose attached to the wall next to the toilet. Usually with a chrome head consisting of a nozzle at one end and and lever at the other. It’s raison d'être is for cleaning up after a number 2. Having seen them on my gap year over 15 years ago the idea has taken years for me to get used to.

The first time you direct a jet of cool water at your most delicate area with intent is an extraordinary moment. Hovering in position. Thumb trembling over the trigger. “There is no going back after this”, I thought to myself...

...and why would you? It’s a most exhilarating and refreshing experience. Clean fresh water when and where it is needed most. Truly not what I was expecting at all, it leaves you feeling fortified and hygienic. 

So that is the story of how I learned to poo Sri Lankan style. Congratulations on making it this far with me. I hope my little story has been insightful and educational and I do hope that when the opportunity presents itself, you too will be able embrace something new or different no matter how trivial it may seem and no matter how long you have resisted. 

Alex