Thread: Bathroom Question...

This is in regards to the Med and the Baltics.

I guess is more a question for the ladies.

I have heard that the bathroom situation in the Med can be less than ideal. Often times public restrooms can't be found, or the ones that can be found are dirty. Even the pay toilets are dirty. Is this true?

I plan to carry a roll of toilet paper with me. But how bad can I expect it to be?

Also, is this a problem in the Baltics the way it is in the Med?

The Baltics' public restrooms were wonderful! Yes, many are pay-toilets, but they were clean and well-stocked. You can also purchase portable toilet-seat covers as Europe does not use these in most areas. They came in handy when using the publich restrooms in Scandanavia.

I honestly can't remember anything about public restrooms in Italy, but there's nothing popping out at me that it was a bad experience....sorry...

thanks Jodi, as always, i appreciate it.

No problem....glad I could be of help!

Think of the toilets in Europe as an adventure. Each will be a little different from the next one. If you let these differences bother you...or the fact that it's not what you are used to at home...it could get to you. Instead, I suggest you have fun with it and check out just how creative and funny some of the European (and Baltic) toilets are.

Sometimes there is nice toilet paper, sometimes it's like wax paper, and sometimes there is no toilet paper (take note: have some Kleenex in your purse). Usually you have to push a button, pull a string, or step on a pedal to flush...and sometimes it takes a little detective work to figure out how it works. Every now and then the toilet is nothing but a hole in the floor and there is no flushing to be done! In a nice modern place in Moscow, for example, there were these two foot pads and not much else.

But all this won't hurt you...we've all been camping haven't we? And none I have ever seen were as bad as the port-a-potties we are stuck going to at concerts or carnivals. Personally, I think the wacky toilets of Europe add to the overall travel experience. It's something you'll laugh about later!

Hey I'm not complaining. I have afterall been to Thailand numerous times as well as China before. You can't get more third world bathrooms than what I've seen and experienced before. I just want to be prepared for what I may find.

You'll find variety...lots of variety...and it probably won't be as bad as you've heard. Remember to bring some coins in the local money to pay an attendant, just in case.

This might come in handy. Here's the LADIES ROOM symbol in Russia.

I took this photo as I left, and as I walked out some Russian women were going in...so I know I chose the correct door. I was a little worried...it was a 50/50 chance and I guessed!

thats too funny! thanks Julie.

Julie, that's the first letter of the word Zhena, which is woman in Russian. It's usually written Zh in English, but it is much easier to pronounce. It's like the French J, or like the S in the English word "pleasure".