China and the 21st Century

Well, I'm back, thanks to a lot of quick maneuvering by a very competent Japanese NWA represented that not only got to Nanjing but got us there before we would have arrived going the other way. Not only that, but our bags made it; nothing short of a miracle. China was wonderful. I don't have time to tell you all the great stories but there were several. It was a lot of fun to be on the trip with Dad, although we did not get as much talking done as I would have liked because we mostly felt like sleeping when we were not teaching or having dinner with bigwigs.

You'll have to forgive me, but I really feel the need to briefly mention my renewed appreciation for the western toilet. As I was sitting in the VIP lounge (where we were taken by our extremely kind Chinese rep) in the Shenyang airport, I felt the urge to visit the facilities. And, being the sibling of some of the greatest "john readers" of modern times, I grabbed Harry Potter V (I am finally getting around to reading them), and headed in search of the facilities. As you might have guessed, the porcelain thrown that I have become so accustomed to had seemed to have lost internal structure and poured down level with the floor (for the uninitiated, see squat toilet, with several good reasons, to my way of thinking, that they are not a great thing; I am sure there are counterarguments out there too). This wasn't a shock to me; I have been to several of these in the past, but it came as a great disappointment as I realized that one of the greatest pastimes ever devised for getting out of wiping "three layers" off the dining room table had never been experienced by more than 1/6th of the world's population (yes, I know, probably much more). It begs the question of why someone would go to all the effort to make a raised platform to only to put a virtual hole in the ground to go into. Why not stick with the standard flush toilet (which, by the way, was not invented by John Crapper as the urban myth goes, or even Thomas Crapper, who did have some hand in it) where you could sit down and be more comfortable? Although my experience was disappointing, that of my traveling companion was down right sad when he had a bout of intestinal distress and rushed to the toilet, only to find the facilities not "up" to expectations, the toilet paper supply neglected, and someone banging on the door for a turn on the platform. There must be someone to sue for that kind of trauma (Tom, we'll be in touch). I know, there are several of you out there rolling their eyes and saying big deal. I can just hear Nigel noting all the difficulties he endured in the islands. I am not saying it was a hardship; simply wondering why China has not discovered the "rest" in restroom.

Julia, sorry no posts from China; you can't actually log on to blogspot from there.