For anyone that has ever visited the Middle East...or maybe just a predominately Muslim country....you will probably have seen bathrooms with these water hoses for washing up after. Most homes have them and quite a few commercial businesses etc will have them as well. They are a common enough commodity and used quite regularly by the native populations (not sure about the visitors etc).
Now one thing some people might not be aware of when using one of these thing is that the temperatures outside can decidedly affect the temps of the water you are about to wash your nether regions with...and that you have about 4 or 5 seconds of rather lukewarm liquid...before you are possibly scalded with some suddenly very hot water pointed directly at your most precious bits. It can be an extreme eye opener (not to mention scream inducer)..and peeing or anything else you were planning to do later in the day can be a very sensitive matter indeed.
One way around this is to not have your water tank on top of your house or building where the sun is busy boiling it all day long...easy if you own your home...not so easy if you rent etc.
Another option is to keep some tepid water handy in the bathroom just for such moments...nice if you dont have animals or small children that dont come along and spill it or play in it (or drink from it)...sigh!! If you place it up out of the way your likely to forget to bring it down BEFORE sitting down to take care of business...and then your left maneuvering yourself after the fact to get it while not...*ahem* ...dripping or something on your clothing. (dont laugh...it happens)
Anyhow, Summer is now fully upon us here in Bahrain...temps are in the high 35 to 37 degrees Celsius already...so that means the water is right up there in the too hot to handle during midday (no showers and dish washing for you wimps) (yes..that would be me) and seriously too hot for your nether regions to take without some serious repercussions.
Believe me...take my word on this...its not something you want to try out for yourself. Nuff said.
*I dont know why my paragraphs wont stay put. They are here when I type it out but disappear once its posted. Very frustraing. Grrr!!!
26 comments:
Such shower sprays are quite common here.And the water is relatively cool,Alhumdulilah!I've never experienced any hot sprays at my sensitive area! How painfull it would be! Just awful!Hope you hadn't experienced any.
lat
I'll keep my toilet paper and wet wipes thankyouverymuch!!
Never seen the "shower hose" but yes a pitcher of water.
Scalded, or parboiled nether regions--ouch! I shall never complain about the pitcher again.
Yea, Ouch. It only gets pretty warm here never really hot. For hand washing and such my brother who lives in Dubai said they turn off the water heater and then the hot tap becomes to cool tap because water has time to cool off in your water "heater".
Hey Mona, I used the same method while living in Basra. Water heater became my reservoir of cold water :-)
Lat...OF COURSE I have...thats the whole point of this post...lol. A cautionary note to others so to speak.
Queen...your definitely better off.
Chiara...I couldnt do the pitcher...too much coordination required...of which I have nil in that department...sigh.
Mona...my water heater is off but Im guessing my water hose water has direct access to the water tank...cause it definitely isnt cool after 4 or 5 secs...and definitely owie!!!
Bob...people learn all the tricks quick in hot countries.
Ha ha, I'm just going to stay stinky with my baby wipes that never got used by my son.
I still have a 6 month supply remaining (too much Cosco shopping)....
We have some at the masjid here, and I remember it being a hot Texas day and that warm water scalding my behind. Never again!
yup - been there - did that once. not again.
and yes, when it was 54-57 deg outside two weeks ago here in Oman. NOT clever.
Lisa...yup...all it takes is one lesson usually.
Fred...as I said...one lesson.
Forgot to mention that winter weather means freezing cold water on you nether regions...which results in seriously numb bits...serious case of frostbite...lol.
Ha! I expected a post about washing delicate CLOTHING, but I was in for a surprise! Interesting stuff though. I can imagine burning or freezing water being tough on those delicate areas.
Susanne...lol...washing clothing is frought with less dangers...hee hee.
Lets just say I know exactly what you are talking about :D
Suroor...heehee...over here...it happens at least once.
Coolred,
Where were you when I needed you so badly before I performed Hajj? My husband and I saw that hookup and when didn't know what it was for. We had a little bathtub the size of a midget, as well. Having to use the hole in the floor...people need to prepare you for that stuff. Coming from America, I was so overwhelmed by everything I was seeing all around me...My husband pointed out the Kabah, and I'm like..What? Where? Huh? Oh...
I suspected that gadget was supposed to be a bidet. Needless to say I didn't use it.
Coolred, I admire you for being so humble, modest and patient. We have been communicating with each other for quite some time now. You never once mentioned to me or the visitors that you have your own blog. You are so amazing...Alhamdiallah!
Ana...oh lord I hope you didnt get your first taste of Arab style bathrooms in Saudi...ouch!!! I seen some of those roadside mosque bathrooms and some in Mecca itself...left ALOT to be desired. The holes in the floor are definitely not my thing...end up having to wash my legs and feet off...if you know what I mean...ha ha.
Well Im glad you found your way over...I dont generally mention I have a blog unless its something to do with the current discussion. Its like advertising...lol.
Hey Red,
You have a lovely toilet. Sorry about your hot water induced personal distress. But not exactly the kind of picture I was yearning for when I suggested more pictures on your other site.
I do like the new wide screen look to the blog and the apple green.
I hope all is well in Bahrain.
Fat Too
Fat Too...welcome to my "secret" other blog...lol. Sad to say that is not my bathroom...mine is just as clean (usually) but a boring white. Thanks anyhow for the commiseration...ha ha.
More pics will be forthcoming. I kind of like how my phone takes pics.
Hahaa! Actually, before I went to the mid-east, whenever I used the bathroom (#2) I always showered. TMI, I know. It's true though. So when I first learned what that hose was on the side, I was happy. I prefer that than the bucket with water or the water spout sticking out the toilet. YUCK! I've seen feces on those things before! I refused to use them. My best friend who grew up in Dubai actually had her genitals scalded by it one time as a child and she had to be taken to the hospital. Never experienced the water being that hot!
Oh yeah, you mentioned the holes in the floor. My first experience with one was in Italy of all places! But I got more experience in the Gulf. I avoided the public side-road bathrooms....YUCK! Even in some airport bathrooms with that type of toilet nastiness was found all around it....some people can't aim properly, even if the hole is right under them....they could at least be nice and clean it up, but nope! Leave the next bathroom attendee to find your jewels plopped on the floor instead of in the hole!
E.R.....ack!!! I HATE when people do that...so nasty. You would think wild animals found their way into the bathroom sometimes.
Actually taking a shower after using a public toilet sounds like a good idea for some of those toilets that are out there...ugh!!!
A friend of mine has been known to remove most of her clothing before embarking on using a toilet...and she wears the abaya, hijab everything...but she absolutely doesnt want anything to touch anything...lol. I end up waiting half an hour for her...sigh.
Didn't know that could happen. I guess there are all kinds of challenges to living in the middle east! btw, sorry. I commented on my blog that I thought you lived in the UAE.
Umm Omar...no problem. Your right tho...lots of challenges.
I guess I've been lucky - I see all the cisterns on top of the buildings in the blazing sun and I know the water must be close to boiling! Ours at home are all nice and lukewarm - not cold, not hot. But I have noticed that our bath water lately is pretty warm!!! Sometimes in this heat, I'd like a cooler shower!
Susie...I should have mentioned that in the winter the very VERY cold water can have an equally shocking affect...lol. Leaves all numb and feeling very brrrrr!!!
looool. burnt bums
OH WOW...i really miss that! becuase you feel clean after...you know! here in the states we have to shower after each time. it really sucks!
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