Blood & Bathrooms: on sponges and toilets

warning:  if discussion of menstrual blood or going to the bathroom makes you uncomfortable, you should definitely read this!

written as a note on my facebook page 16 FEB 2009: 

I'm on the sponge...



...because I've learned that the sea sponge is a great absorber of menstrual blood.


Not only is it cheaper and 'greener' (sorry) ... it feels a hell of a lot better than a dry, cotton tampon. It's spongy! It's natural. It's lovely.


Just take it out, rinse it, and pop it back in.


Happier cunts = happier world


On sponges:
As an alternative to tampons and bulky pads, I catch blood with reusable sea sponges.  You can find them at natural food stores (small, cosmetic type) for less than $3, and they'll last up to six months.  It's been nearly 2 & 1/2 years since I switched.  I haven't used tampons since, and I love it!  I've gotten quite good at being able to use the sponge in any setting... from roadside rest-stops in India (literal $h!t-holes) to restrooms in fancy international airports.  The only thing you need is water.  Yesterday was the best: we were hiking up a mountain.  Lucky for me there flowed fresh, glacial streams that ran parallel to the trail.  Yes, I know about freshwaters and why we should never drink from them.  Dead animals, animal feces, and various sources of bacteria and other microscopic nasties... make the water dangerous.  However, being that we were nearing the chilly summit of the hill, I took the risk and found it a lovely opportunity to pop a squat with the cool, clean water at my disposal for rinsing myself and my sponge.  Let's just hope there wasn't anyone just downstream going for a drink. 

In places like India and Tunisia, restrooms are ideal as there is always a source of water near the toilet.  Indian style toilets are the best, as they require the 'squat' which is a more natural, comfortable way of relieving oneself (I could write an entire post on my love for those toilets).  When using the sponge, having a water source is essential for the rinse.  If there's not a faucet right there, you must carry a water bottle... which is no big deal, as long as you remember.  Otherwise, you're forced to leave the bathroom stall with a handful of bloody sponge.  With a spare sponge and water bottle in tow, you're set!

On toilets: 
Besides being highly convenient for sponge users, toilets with water nearby are better overall.  I have a girlfriend who insists on using baby wipes after using the toilet.  Not only are they expensive, they're also made with a bunch of unnatural elements... and why would we want to bring our anatomical jewels into contact with unnatural elements?  Obviously, toilet paper is the norm in the States and many other places.  However, after living in India for a few months, I warmed up to the idea of using water instead.  Not only is toilet paper irritating, it often just doesn't do the job.  You know what I'm talking about... sometimes it's the never-ending wipe.  Now, this is often the result of a combination that's due to our position and the paper itself.  The squat position allows for a more natural and complete release of waste.  Imagine the mess of going to the bathroom while standing up.  Gross.  From there, imagine coming into a seated position.  From there, go even further and take it down to a squat.  Can you now see why it's even cleaner?  I must confess:  at times I squat on sitting toilets.  Moving on to toilet paper versus water.  Think about dirt on any part of your body.  Let's take the hands for example.  When your hands are dirty, would you find it more practical to wipe them off with a dry piece of toilet paper or clean them off with water?!  Exactly.

Alright, enough talking $h!t. Back to the original topic...


I know of one good friend who has since tried the sponge with success.  Anyone else?  Tell your friends about it.  It's less wasteful and will also save you money.  Of course... it's not exactly vegan.  Sponges are animals.  happy June! 

on Toilets

IF YOU EVER BACKPACK in Tunisia, be sure to use the bathroom before stepping out of the airport, as it may be the nicest you’ll use for a while.  The restroom ladies might expect a tip, but it’s impossible if you haven’t yet done the currency exchange.  Each time I thought it couldn’t be rougher, the next toilet proved me wrong.  And each time it was necessary to use the bathroom, the more grateful I was for all of the little things in life here to enjoy.  My first two nights were spent in the capitol, Tunis, at a decent hotel.  The shared toilet was right around the corner from my room.  At times, a puddle accumulated on the ground where the right foot stands while on the toilet.  But, there was always toilet paper and the flushing mechanism worked. 

Moving on to the city of Sousse, the toilets went downhill.  Among so many switches, the bathroom light switch was nowhere to be found.  In the raunchy closet of a bathroom whose size required strategic entry, I left the door cracked open allowing the outside passage light to enter.  Judging from the smell, it was probably a blessing to not have seen the facility flooded with light. 

The next morning, enter the chic, sunny café.  After indulging in a café au lait and a croissant whose center revealed a creamy, subtle dab of chocolate, nature called.  Although the kind waiter had just given me a napkin for my hands, I forgot to take it with me to the restroom.  Crap!  Seriously.  Instead of stocking the restrooms with toilet paper, there’s always a water hose.  In India, it was often a faucet with a mini bucket for water.  The greater thing about India is that the toilets were usually squatter-style.  Set into the ground, they require one to squat down.  In my opinion, they’re brilliantly cleaner.  No tissue?  No problem.  Squatting always allows for a naturally clean break.  Here, it’s a rubbery or metal hose, fastened to a faucet, hanging beside the toilet.  Rather than wasting paper and clogging the toilets, simply spray the area to be cleaned with water from the hose.  Hahahahaha!  Oh, how I longed for a squatter style throne.  So there I was, having to spray this water hose between my legs and all around.  The gracious mirror was big and low, if needed, to ensure everything was washed.  In the end, my ass was a little damp, but at least it was clean. 

I’ve already written about the shower in Kairoaun, so now I’ll move on to the toilet of Khazazia.  Joking, I asked Nadhem if I’d need to go outside for the toilet.  Indeed, I did.  Among the roaming poultry, not far from the fenced-in sheep, the aunt led me to a small door less, barn-like structure.  In the corner were old sheepskins piled onto other things.  In the middle of the dusty concrete floor was the toilet bowl, just a bowl.  No back, no flusher.  Beside it was a large jug of water with a bucket.  Auntie lifted a 3-feet-high slab of wood and propped it up against the doorway for privacy.  I was truly understanding and living the “right hand is for eating, left hand is for cleansing oneself and using the bathroom” aspect of being in that part of the world. 

In Kairoaun, at a café, I used a toilet in a back room where there was no light.  Gotta appreciate those flashbulbs on the mobile phones. 

At one house, I had to ask someone to show me how to flush by pouring water into the toilet.  I didn’t realize it required such a great amount.  It wasn’t just any toilet; it was a filthy toilet in a bathroom that smelled like a Porta-Jon.  The next day, I had the luxury of showering in that very bathroom.  At the time there was no hot water, so they made some for me.  In the shower was placed a large plastic tub, filled with warm water and a small bucket for pouring.  The bathroom may have been below my standards of cleanliness, but it wasn’t mine.  And that day, the dwellers of that house went beyond all expectations to accommodate me and make me feel at home.  In the midst of a nasty toilet, my ass was still grateful.