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‘Why are you taking a photo?’
Thomas was taking a photo of me walking to the toilet with a jug of water to wash my backside.
The man was worried. Was his toilet no good?
‘You explain, Thomas. I need to go!’
Going to the toilet in Uzbekistan.

Going to the toilet

‘In the west we use toilet paper.’
‘We have toilet paper too!’ The man was insulted. Uzbekistan people are advanced too.
‘Yes, but you only use it to dry your backside after cleaning it with water.’
‘Yes.’ This was a yes as in, that’s obvious, why mention it. ‘You don’t use water?’
‘Yes, but only after we have cleaned our backside with toilet paper.’
It was becoming clear, a detailed explanation was required. I explained the two methods with graphic detail, acting out all the actions so I could be understood. The man – a café owner – grinned, showing us his lovely golden smile.

Cafe owner

When I left Europe, I would have found this eastern method of toilet hygiene challenging. Now it is the most natural thing in the world. Indeed, it is more hygienic than using toilet paper.

We have now left Turkmenistan, and there is no visa time pressure. This means we sleep in, cycle at a snail’s pace, and have an afternoon snooze.

Afternoon snooze