© irene waters 2014
Toilets have long been a preoccupation of mine. I tell of my toilet life in an earlier post which has some great toilet pictures. Well great if you happen to like toilets. And then there is my toilet memoir. A point to take note of when trying to teach children. Following this was Snapshots (sans photo), yet another toilet piece. However all my pieces are humorous, light pieces of the toilet obsessed person.
There is a more serious side to toilets which is the reason that something to do with toilets became the topic of this prompt given to us by Charli. World Toilet Day. Amarnaik tells us that “daily 620 million Indians are defecating in the open. That’s half the population dumping over 65 million kilos of poo out there every day. If this poo continues to be let loose on us, there will be no escaping the stench of life threatening infections, diseases and epidemics.” He says “It’s time to take the poo to the loo.” To read more of his facts and stats go here. Even more sobering when you consider that this is just India. What about the rest of the developing world. See more at UNICEF and also see more at Anne’s where she also has many links to other articles.
We may laugh at our many styles of thrones,
© irene waters 2014
© irene waters 2014
and we might complain about the seat being left up — but at least we have them.
Sobering in another way is my flash for today.
“Don’t wait.” June said, already entering the toilet block. Overcome by the stench of ammonia she gagged as she engaged the latch. The opener broke in her hand. There was no way out. She waited. The reek of stale urine was nauseating so, balancing on the toilet, she propelled herself, legs straddling the stall’s dividing wall. She hesitated. The odour’s source was now visible. She slid down the wall, feet flailing trying to find the toilet. Her feet slipped on the wet seat, entering the bowl with a sickening crack. No escape, she waited for rescue and an ambulance.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
ugm… you’ll excuse me if I pass on the first one lol 🙂
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So you don’t want to commune with nature Andy. LOL 🙂
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Boy and I thought I was fixated! Grim little story too. Stuff of nightmares.
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Yes one thing that doesn’t apply to me is avoiding the toilet story. Definitely a woman’s nightmare.
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I now realise the wisdom of my mother’s words ‘never pass up a toilet opportunity’.
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A switched on lady your Mum. I follow her words of wisdom to the letter much to my husband’s despair.
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Definitely has the ick factor. Your memoir brought to mind some of the horrific so-called toilets we’ve used in our travels. ‘Nuf said!
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Good. Luckily this was fiction as I think if it happened in a toilet such as you have used in your travels I wouldn’t be here now. The stench would have killed me.
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Like the little story on the end too! Much to be grateful for living in a country with sanitation. 🙂
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That is for sure Barbara. 🙂
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Oh no! Not a good place to get stuck. Ew!
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That’s for sure.
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Great to encounter a fellow obsessive! I imagine your fascination, like mine, comes from your globetrotting encounters with toilets that don’t quite match the standards we have at home.
I love your pictures and, of course, deeply envious of the first, and your flash is fabulous. Hope it didn’t take too long for the ambulance to arrive,
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Glad to see you have long been breaking the loo taboo in writing (and photos)! Your flash reminds me of one of my greatest worries–getting locked in a bathroom. I’ve had panicked moments pushing on a door that won’t budge only to realize it pulls open. 🙂 Great flash and links!
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I’ve realized recently I don’t like being locked in anywhere. A small cubicle would certainly make me panic :). Thanks Charli
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Geez…what a story. That is dreadful (the situation, not the writing). 🙂 Great flash.
Love the pictures, especially the first one, and have to come back to read your toilet memoir. That’s a hook if ever I saw one.
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Thanks Sarah. It wouldn’t be a lot of fun.
Yes the toilet memoir has a good lesson for parents I feel and you know you’re welcome to return any time. 🙂
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