Modern Convenience

Modern Convenience

On our around-the-world trip, we have encountered some pretty amazing bathrooms. "Amazing" usually being synonymous with 'disgusting'. Yet, in Picton, New Zealand we found the most amazing 'LOO'. Very Twenty-First century. Didn't mom always say, 'be sure to use the restroom before getting on the ferry'? I'm sure she did - so I did. This public restroom turned out to be an amazing experience in high tech toileting. Outside the bathroom door was a sign indicating 'vacant', "engaged", or "closed'. The vacant light was lit so I pushed the button to open the door. I thought I was entering the space ship Enterprise as the door slid open. It was very clean and had lots of stainless steel. The sign over the toilet indicated that the toilet would flush when 'hands are washed or when the cubicle is vacated'. Another sign indicated an automatic toilet tissue dispenser. 'Push button for toilet tissue'. I did so and was rewarded with two squares of TP. Who decided that was enough? Next was the automatic hand-washing unit. At the first station was the soap. It was dispensed by putting your hand under it. Next door was the water, which turned on (briefly) when my hand arrived under it. Next stop was the dryer. Finally, bladder empty and hands clean, I was ready to leave. There was another sign describing the cleaning cycle of the cubicle. 'When unoccupied, the toilet is programmed to self-clean. Children should be accompanied by an adult'. The most humorous part of this experience was the loiter alarm. 'After 10 minutes the door will open and alarm will sound.' I guess you had better hope you are through by then - no dilly-dallying. I pushed a button and the door slid open. I was out and had to go find Sal. She had to see this!