David Frey's Waste of Tubes

Canadians don't know squat

May 26, 2005 - Tagged as: Travel

Squat toilets are officially the worst idea ever. It's like a regular toilet except you take off the most important part. I just don't get it.

I'm in Venice right now and the weather is great. I put sunscreen all over my body today because my plan was to head to a beach on an island called Lido. At least I thought I put sunscreen all over my body. After spending a bunch of time on the beach I realized that I didn't put any sunscreen on my legs. I think my legs are alright, but my feet are as red as the tomatoes here.

On the topic of tomatoes, it's nearly impossible to find unprepared food in Venice. I spent so much time today trying to find a grocery store or even a corner store. When I did finally find a corner store, it was closed for the middle of the day. Lazy Italians!

The beach experience was a bit weird. It wasn't like any beach I have been to in Canada. There was a lot of really soft sand that was very flat and sterile looking. They have what looks like a ski grooming machine going around the beach. I think the idea is to scrape up the garbage, but it also gets the seaweed and twigs, so the beach ends up looking like a sandbox.

I couldn't figure out what was going on at the beach when I got there. There was a fence on the street, but the gate was open. There was a sign on the fence that said spa something or other, but my Italian is terrible, so I just walked through. I tried not to be seen by anyone and that wasn't very hard because there was nobody around. Before I got to the water I had to walk between hundreds of little, identical beach shacks. Almost all of them seemed vacant. It as very strange.

After wandering up and down the beach for a while and pretending not to look at the topless women, I walked back up towards the little beach shacks. I noticed a sign that said '.... millitare ...'. I was even more careful to not be seen on my way out.

Brian gets into Venice tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to find him.

Comments

It's called a siesta. The only things you'll find open between 1pm and 4pm are the cafe's. Che stupido! :P Also, don't look for a grocery store. Look for vegetable/fruit vendors in little carts. You buy cheese from a cheese store, meat from a meat store and vegetables/fruit from those vendor dudes. Look in more suburby areas than in the tourist spots.

remind me to tell you about one of the best laughs I had when travelling in Europe when I was your age. It involved one of those squat toilets at a last chance gas station somewhere off the beaten track in what was then Yugoslavia. Yikes, just thinking about it makes me smile.
Regarding the mid day closings, it is the same in France. Everything shuts down at 12 noon for 2 hours for lunch. It's best if you adapt to their schedule.

haha, i warned you about those toilets didn't i? there are a couple of supermercati in venice but i can't remember where. i know i went to at least one last summer. anyways, hope you're having a fantastic time (and it sounds like you are so yay)!

I didn't know you were so funny -especially enjoyed your tale of Italy. I am envious - it was only about 38 years ago that I was in flooding old venice --- have a bottle of wine for me! We will be thinking of you.

squat toilets are national exercise program, make for strong legs - not so stupid after all. also promotes strong pelvic floor - mom can explain

does venice smell?

jan

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