Friday Fun - Italian Travel Memories

Documented it for other travelers - on left is that kick button thingy for the restroom and on the right is the lever pedal thingy for the faucet. Now you don;t have to feel like an idiot when you visit!

Not sure why this popped in my head today but remembered a fun episode from one of my first days in Italy that I thought I'd share here - to put a smile on your face and to inform you if you have not been to Italy before. You are not going to understand this image unless you continue reading!

On my first trip a few years ago, and my only trip really, decided to hang out with some friends for Aperitivo (evening wine and bites before dinner) at a cute spot in Milan. Needed to use the restroom and excused myself. Once inside, and done with the job, I turned around to realize there was no lever for the pot, no way to flush, at least not on the pot itself!! Horror of horrors!!

I checked for a push button of some sort but nothing. I looked at the wall all around wondering if I was missing something but nada. By this point I was in a bit of a frenzy since I knew there were folks waiting outside  but how in heaven's name was I going to leave without flushing down le business?! So I said, in my inside my head voice of course, "Calm down chica, you got this, stop panting, breathe and look for the goshdarnedridiculous flushamaroo!"

And as I traced the view from all the way up at eye level to down to the floor (and this is happening in slow motion now because when did things ever happen fast when you want them to!), I chanced upon a push button type contraption sticking out of the wall behind the pot and said, "Well here now, is something that I have never seen before but maybe I give this a shot." Hail Mary, Praise the Lord (my Christian school education usually comes to the fore under such tension-filled circumstances) and Kumbaya!

The bloody pot flushed and I cannot tell you how many joyous festivals I celebrated in that passing of a few seconds from the sheer relief of knowing I could unlock that stall door now, walk out in grace and with my respect in tact. Yes, I see the hygiene factor of not having to touch anything since you kick the button in the wall thingy but an arrow or sign of some sort would have been nice. Out by the faucet as well, washing your hand requires kicking the lever/pedal below since the water flow is not motion sensor-controlled. Learn from this clown that was standing by the faucet waving arm frantically, waiting for a miracle until, again, I chanced upon the magical lever on the floor.

So, if you head to Italy, the only lesson I have for you is - when in the restroom, look at the floor!!!