Toilet Travel Tips, Laviators and other Weirdness



So I'm back after the wildly fun and intriguing Blogher and TBEX conferences. Fun because I got to meet all my travel tweeps in person and intriguing because the ideas and discussions flowed non-stop. One of my fave discussions was with Heather of Gadling's Galley Gossip and her Laviators mile high headshots club. You see, lots of activities take place in airplane bathrooms than just mile high club activities. Heather believes that I'll soon be joining her exclusive group but it's just not happening cause the fly in fly girl doesn't stand for sky trippin' bathroom antics. But when I spied the Poo-Pourri personal wipes (fresh and clean for in between!) pictured above in our TBEX swag, I figured that bathroom banter might make a helpful travel tip post. Because I'm surrounded by a crazy amount of anal virgo friends, I know that there are lots of travelers that dread strange public toilets, nasty sinkholes passing for restrooms and the hellish scene of porta-potties. I'm also married to a man who will go an entire day without using the restroom because he refuses to enter into any public toilet facility. So for all of you that face toilet trauma during your travels, I've created some great tips:



First of all, whether you're traveling domestically or internationally, check out Sit Or Squat. This nifty guide lets you plug in a zip code or city and the nearest public toilet will pop up, complete with map. Or if you find yourself stranded without any suitable amenities, try packing the Travel Loo shown above. This portable,unisex, device looks slightly kinky to me but if you're the type that can't stand the thought of strangers lurking outside while you do your business, this just might do the trick.



If squatting doesn't agree with your thigh muscles, a Travel Toilet Seat offers a cushy answer to your prayers. It folds up into a handy carrying pouch and supplies salvation for germaphobes anywhere.



For the all out-public-poo-phobes, consider a Travel John foldable commode/chair. A solid waste collection kit (EEW!) is included along with a padded seat and a top flap. The steel-framed chair weighs four pounds so it's not the lightest travel option but I can't think of anything closer to your own private bathroom than lugging a personal toilet with you.

Comments

kristine said…
all very um, handy....though I must say I'd prefer a hole in the ground to that last one...
jamie said…
@Roz Thank GOD I'm not squeamish. I have enough silly gear to carry as it is.
Fly Girl said…
Kristine, I know, these tips are not for the adventuous like you!

Jaimie, I know what you mean. I'd never be able to decide between the loo and an extra pair of shoes! I'm glad I don't have to make that choice. Thanks for dropping by.
UrbanTravelGirl said…
Wow... you're seriously escorting us on a "toilet travel" trip here, aren't you? Can't say I've sampled the POO-Pourri we got at TBEX yet, but some of these other devices you found have this Capricorn all the way freaked out! But it is good for us germphobes to know some inventors are looking out for us. Still, I'm like your husband -- if I can't be guaranteed of a nice clean lavatory, I'll just skip the beverages and keep Mother Nature from her appointed rounds.
lucky girl!!! YOu are everywhere:)
I would love to read a post about what you learned and what you experienced too:)

However, bathroom tips are certainly a necessatity when traveling. I only wish I could be bringing these around with me whereever I go!!!!!!!!

Too many nightmarish bathrooms.
Fly Girl said…
Maureen, even though you aren't a virgo, I knew that you'd appreciate this post.

Marina, I'll do a short wrap-up post about the conferences. Hey, you can always carry the travel loo around with you for those nightmarish bathrooms, it's compact.
Jean-Luc Picard said…
I wonder what customs would say if they saw all the gear?
Jean-Luc makes an excellent point. I wouldn't want to be explaining any of those items to airport security!
Fly Girl said…
Jean-Luc and Heather, there's nothing illegal about these devices, I don't see why you'd have to explain at all. They don't have anything that would put them on the prohibited list, although the travel commode's steel frame might trip up metal detectors! Anyway, it you're a fanatic about toliet cleanliness, you probably won't have a problem explaining the points of these travel aids.
Heather Poole said…
Oh my gosh, you are too funny! Okay, first of all, you're joining! So just do it - JOIN! Secondly, someone gave me that portable toilet seat as a baby gift for my son. It's still in the box. I'm sending it to you.
Eileen said…
I probably have more use for the poo pourri thing than for at least one of the other items we were given (this shall go nameless), but I'm generally pretty whatev about the bathroom situation, which is just fine, considering where I live! And yes on the extra gear already and preferring some of that over extra implements!

It was so great to see you and talk about a million and one things with you. I have a million and one more to say.
Fly Girl said…
Heather, I am not joining the laviators club, give it up.

Eileen, I know you're whateve about bathrooms, it's the adventurer in you. We will have to meet in NY to continue the conversation...
Wendy said…
Too funny. Both conferences looked great. Hopefully next year I'll attend at least one. Would be nice to meet the travel cyber peeps in person.
Eileen said…
Santiago! You want to meet in Santiago to continue the conversation. Oh! You mean Blogher '10? I'll pretty much for sure be there. It's right in my "have to leave santiago time" and also right by the fam!

For now we'll content ourselves with bathroomy comments and the like.
wow that folding chair is interesting, never seen anything like that before.
jessiev said…
i've not used the poo-pourri yet, either... what a lineup you've gotten. whew!
Interesting!

Everyone loves going to a vacation. It is a good activity or bonding with family and friends. It is very to check on the things you need to bring. Start with the most useful like clothes, toiletries and stuff you need. Select a vacation bag that is comfortable for your belongings and also comfortable for you to bring.
Eileen Schuh said…
I'm going to suggest the Travel John foldable to my husband for his late-fall hunting trips. I'm tired of hearing his complaints about cold and scratchy logs!
My mother's tip is - she always sits on the seat because she knows that no-ne else does!
Unknown said…
The absolutely best pocket sized disposable toilet on the market today is called The Biffy Bag. It has everything you need for a comfortable relief experience and you do not need a bucket or commode to sit on. It is small enough to fit in your pocket, purse, glove box or backpack. The most amazing thing I have ever seen. They say No Bucket, No Odor, No Mess and they mean it. Whoever came up with this should when some kind of an award. Check out the Biffy Bag at www.biffybag.com
Ha. What a fun "first" post I read from you (and the commenters.) I guess it *is* true when they say a writer's inspiration can be found everywhere. :-)u

Popular posts from this blog

Traveling Through A Liberian Childhood

Puerto Rico's Taino Culture

Switzerland's Fete Des Vignerons