Bathrooms

[Dawn of a new Day]

Ok, I haven't seen this posted before. How easy is it to go to the "Bathroom" when necessary. I know in Holland it is pay in the restaurants. Are there public toiletes. ? am a postie and now drink about 2 Litres water for my 3 hour walk. Are there alot of bushes ???This works for me!
d

 

[escambron]

Frankly, this was the greatest adjustment -- or 'culture' shock -- I had last year. It took me the whole way from Le Puy to SJPP to feel comfortable to go and pee behind a bush. Glancing furtively around to see if anyone's coming -- recognizing the perfect hiding hedge, rapidly unbuckling the backpack, throwing the walking sticks on the side, and sometimes learning to pee half standing up... By the meseta, my method was nearing perfect speed and accuracy. Most of all, lack of concern whether someone was going to catch me or see me...

I also remember the lines at the various cafes along the way in Spain. And of course, always more women for the Women's than men for the Men's.

Mind you bathrooms, and lack thereof, were a source of deep bonding with some other women pilgrims on the way.

claire

 

[sillydoll]

Bathroom

You will mark your territory right across the camino my dear!
In 2004, every convenient bush and monolithic stone had a growing pile of tissue paper behind them. There was a report on another forum about the mountains of litter left on the camino last year.
If you can't bear to drip-dry, please consider taking a small plastic bag to pack away your tissue paper and carry it with you until you reach a garbage bin to chuck it into. (Ditto for sweet papers, empty cans etc.)

 

[zeke00]

Ah, finally someone posting a very important question. Have been thinking much about it myself, but not had the nerve to start a topic.
But the answers is much about "no 1", if I am not mistaken. What about "no 2"? The same? Behind a bush or?

 

[Dawn of a new Day]

thank you all for sharing your hillarious comments on such a SERIOUS subject.
I agree that TP should not be used or if necessary carry a bag. It is a disgrace to see the ennironment trashed.
If no #2, then dig a hole first.
Drip dry is the only way to go, quick and accurate!!!!
Now bring on them bushes!!!!
happy trails.
dawn

 

[sillydoll]

Perhaps it should be compulsory for all pilgrims to read a book by Kathleen Meyer - a conservationist who wrote a book called, "How to Shit in the Woods". (I am not kidding - and it IS a serious book!)
She talks about the diminishing 'prisitine' waters in the world and how travellers can carry bugs and disease from Siberia to Peru and from Iceland to Tasmania.
Chapters include:
Digging the Hole
When you can't dig a hole
The Poop packer
Trekker's Trots
and, for women - How not to pee in your boots!

You can buy the book from amazon.com for about $8

 

[Dawn of a new Day]

thanks for sharing,

common Women!!!! do as the men do, Shake a leg, and leave the TP at home!!!!!

 

[Deborah]

Female Urination Devices

The best investment I ever made for traveling was my Freshette Urination Device!

There are all sorts of female urination devices. These are made so women can urinate standing up. Some are cardboard, disposable, all shapes and sizes. Some fit into your pants fly and some you have to remove your pants completely (which to me is silly).

The disposable ones are.. well.. disposable, and that presents its own problem on the trail. Much better to spnd the cash on a plastic model which can be used thousands of times. I've used mine a lot and just recently broke it when I stepped on it while packing! I'm ordering another before my Camino trip!

The plastic ones, I only know of 3.

One, I can't find the name of.. I'll keep researching, but BEWARE. The way this particular device fits is to nestle it BETWEEN the outer and inner labia, which on a trip like we're taking spells "infection." So please choose one of the following. These two are easier to use and safer, in my opinion.

How do you use them? You just open your fly, nestle the small contraption's "cup" around your pubis, and pee away like a guy. It works GREAT! I've used it in the bushes, just like a guy, with my back to the road, and nobody was the wiser. You can actually "wipe" upwards when you remove the device to take off any clinging drops. Then, you just shake it off, put it into it's plastic carrying case, and wash both up in the shower at your next stop. No toilet paper (unless you're squeamish when backpacking) and no horrible searching for a toilet.

Ok.. the two I know of:

One is the Whiz, which I have not used but which looks pretty good.

One is the Freshette, which I have had for 3 years and LOVE!

I'd say do not bother buying the urine bags, etc. I bought them and have never used them.

I also use this when traveling and when I have to use a dirty toilet. I can just pee standing up like a guy.. no problem. It's small and very lightweight and worth it's small weight in gold!

I am past menopause and buddy, when I have to go.. I have to GO.. so this thing is my favorite travel friend.

I'll be happy to answer any questions.

You can do a search on female urination devices to see all the many cardboard and disposables, but please check out the two plastic varieties as well...

Deborah

 

[Mabel]

very funny

I have seen the book Sil! And it IS serious! and true.

Drip dry, carrying a bag for the TP and other items and waiting for the BM until you reach someplace that is indoors. Takes some adjustment but it can be done.

WHATEVER your solution...PLEASE don't stop drinking water!!!!!!

Dehydration is NOT good. AND if the water looks rusty..DON"T drink it! Made the mistake cause I was dying of thirst and all I can say is.....

Thank heavens for the RED CROSS and the Guardia Civil and free med care. The docs were super.
The people in the waiting room all sat far away but I suspect it was more due to the fact that I had already walked 16 k's and probably did not smell fresh as a daisy than because I was ill.
AND if the doc says 'you can't walk anymore today. IF you must get to X, take the bus for the next 15 k's" LISTEN to him.
nuff said.

Buen Camino and honestly...THIS topic really did make me smile. ANd it was serious!
Mabel

 

[Deleted member 3000]

New members, particularly those who have been inspired by "The Way," may have questions on bathrooms, but have not asked. There is some good information in this Subject.

 

[camino07]

I have always taken the smallest size packet of panty liners. No need for tissues( when weeing) and throw away when you reach the albergue.
I read it years ago.
Heather

 

[Heliman1965]

Everyone knows that for men having a pee when your out & about is quick and easy but the women out on the trail thing are somewhat more timely..

For the ladies that would rather not bare all behind a bush, take a look at the Shewee device some of the female members of our Search & Rescue unit use them while out on both live searches and Search exercises..

http://www.shewee.com/

As for the other aspect of going to the toilet whilst alone the trail, nappy bags/sacks for the toilet paper & 90% of these are scented and dig a hole for the solids :shock: "remember to cover it" :mrgreen:

Hope this is of some help..

Bryan

 

[k-fun]

I wore a skirt and went commando, which made peeing really easy. As for digging a hole...I think you would have to carry a pickaxe, the ground is so hard. I "buried" my business with stones whenever I could.

The most difficult times are when walking through a city on a holiday...everything is closed and very public.

 

[+@^^]

now that we all on first name terms.....
i carried a deft little trowel;/ spade for digging said cat-holes
but as you say k-fun, the ground required a pick axe
so i soon dumped the hardware
.
fession time
being in a city when it was time for a wee with no facilities in sight was no prob
(this is the bit where you cover the kids ears)
i went straight for a refuse bin, and found a bottle/ container of some sort
i sat down a the nearest bench, and through some cleaver sleight of hand
managed the event with alacrity
the contents then usually helped the rose bushes in the village garden
or with lid on, went back into the bin
.
(i reserve the right to delete this post when hate mail outweighs love mail)

 

[Abbeydore]

now that we all on first name terms.....
i carried a deft little trowel;/ spade for digging said cat-holes
but as you say k-fun, the ground required a pick axe
so i soon dumped the hardware
.
fession time
being in a city when it was time for a wee with no facilities in sight was no prob
(this is the bit where you cover the kids ears)
i went straight for a refuse bin, and found a bottle/ container of some sort
i sat down a the nearest bench, and through some cleaver sleight of hand
managed the event with alacrity
the contents then usually helped the rose bushes in the village garden
or with lid on, went back into the bin
.
(i reserve the right to delete this post when hate mail outweighs love mail)

By-jove I think you are onto something(love mail)
how many bottles should we carry :lol:

 

[Tio Huero]

"I am Man, the world is my urinal."
-Unknown

 

[georgia jugs]

About the only good thing about answering "nature's call" while on the Camino is that the guys can't be blaimed for leaving the seat up!