I debated a bit on whether or not to post this, what the heck! It seems like people's eyes glaze over a bit when you talk about the tombs and temples you may have visited, but talk about the bathrooms seen in other countries - now that's a subject that makes folks perk up a bit.

In Egypt, let's start off with the basics: there is no toilet paper provided, usually. However, folks here use Western-style, sit down toilets. I haven't been anywhere where I've needed to use a squat-type toilet.

Instead of toilet paper, there is water.

Here are the 3 levels of service provided:

1. Small metal pipe protruding from center or back of toilet. Seen in budget hotels and public toilets. You turn on the water and -- wee, clean away. Unfortunately, since the pipe is in the center of the bowl... well, the pipe can get a bit messy, if you know what I mean.

2. Water squirter built into bowl, at the far end of the bowl. Seen in museums, mostly. This has the advantage of being much cleaner than the first method, since there is no pipe that sticks out in the bowl. But, I've never tried to use it. I'm afraid I'd end up squirting the water all over the bathroom.

3. Hose and powerful squirter. The kind of squirter you see attached to kitchen sinks, with flexible hose. Seen at mid-range hotels. This is the best method by far - clean, powerful. This is great! Jason and I have joked about installing one of these in our bathrooms.

I'd imagine that I'll probably end up seeing a bucket and cup type place, but I haven't really gone anywhere that rustic.