Bathrooms on Safari
Jan 4th, 2007, 08:06 AM
#42
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Princess, it's also a matter of knees. I'm not a senior citizen yet, but my bad knees make it nearly impossible to get up from a squat. I tried that in a hippo trail off the Luangwa River in Zambia and took a tumble...not fun when your pants are around your ankles!
Jan 4th, 2007, 10:36 AM
#43
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Shay - why do you have such bad knees and why aren't you rehabilitating them? (Are you able to?) At the height of my knee injury I couldn't even walk. I can easily squat my bodyweight now and am getting close to being able to do 1.5X...
I find that most people with bad something-or-other are that way out of lack of training...they may have had a legit injury at some point or whatnot, but they don't do a thing to help matters... not really a good thing if one is planning a trip out in the wilderness...
I find that most people with bad something-or-other are that way out of lack of training...they may have had a legit injury at some point or whatnot, but they don't do a thing to help matters... not really a good thing if one is planning a trip out in the wilderness...
Jan 4th, 2007, 01:58 PM
#44
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To Princess,
There are some disabilities that cannot be fixed at the gym such as intolerance and judgemental attitutudes
Also, some medical conditions that can be made worse at the gym!!
I think that even people who are "unfit" should be able to enjoy a variety of travel experiences
You might want to do some research on Arthritis, Polio, Multiple Sclerosis etc.
There are some disabilities that cannot be fixed at the gym such as intolerance and judgemental attitutudes
Also, some medical conditions that can be made worse at the gym!!
I think that even people who are "unfit" should be able to enjoy a variety of travel experiences
You might want to do some research on Arthritis, Polio, Multiple Sclerosis etc.
Jan 4th, 2007, 02:18 PM
#45
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Not all "bad knees" are from injuries that can be rehabilitated; one of mine just doesn't bend all the way, which makes it difficult to squat. The Doc says about all I can do is a knee replacement at some point, so I'll just keep my "squatting" to minimum for a few more years. (My Mom just had double knee replacements.) Other than that one tumble, I've managed just fine out in the African bush and am looking forward to my eighth trip in June.
Jan 5th, 2007, 04:51 AM
#47
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If anyone needs a tailor-made trip to S Africa (and elsewhere in Africa) I can highly recommend African Rainbow Tours. They organised my extensive honeymoon last year and were superb.
– www.africanrainbow.com
– www.africanrainbow.com
Jan 5th, 2007, 12:29 PM
#51
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Kavey -
drip drip drip for coffee, yes... but you missed "snip the corner" ... liquid will flow out as if using a funnel.
Also, if you don't want to go into the bush, you can position yourself against the rear bumper/fender and do your business there. Just have enough sanitizer to clean areas on the vehicle and your bum.
drip drip drip for coffee, yes... but you missed "snip the corner" ... liquid will flow out as if using a funnel.
Also, if you don't want to go into the bush, you can position yourself against the rear bumper/fender and do your business there. Just have enough sanitizer to clean areas on the vehicle and your bum.
Jan 5th, 2007, 03:20 PM
#52
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My husband and I were in Tanzania last October and while on a game drive I "had to go". We were the only ones in the middle of the Serengeti, except for thousands of Wilderbiest and I didn't think they would mind.
Just as I was squatting behind the Range Rover I saw out of the corner of my eye a Massai guide in another vehicle scanning the horizon in my direction. I'm sure the other group had a good laugh at my expense, as did my husband and Festo, our guide.
After that only bushes and my hubby standing guard would do!
Just as I was squatting behind the Range Rover I saw out of the corner of my eye a Massai guide in another vehicle scanning the horizon in my direction. I'm sure the other group had a good laugh at my expense, as did my husband and Festo, our guide.
After that only bushes and my hubby standing guard would do!
Jan 5th, 2007, 07:41 PM
#55
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Well, this is certainly great cocktail conversation. Note to self, pee behind a bush...my knees are not that great either though I'm probably a bit younger but as a gymnast and skier, I've destroyed them. Perhaps holding onto the bumper is key. Sorry about the fall with the pants down, but it's a character building experience. With regard to #2, I can't even think about it. I hope I'll be at the camps! Again, kudos to the board for it's candor!
Jan 6th, 2007, 05:40 AM
#56
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Sandi, I get you!
I did send off for one of those plastic pee funnel things before our 2004 trip but couldn't get on with it at all. Luckily my knees held out but to be honest I don't know if they will for that many years more. However, maybe taking a walking stick with me to haul myself back up with would help?
LOL
I did send off for one of those plastic pee funnel things before our 2004 trip but couldn't get on with it at all. Luckily my knees held out but to be honest I don't know if they will for that many years more. However, maybe taking a walking stick with me to haul myself back up with would help?
LOL
Jan 6th, 2007, 06:00 AM
#57
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Kavey -
Consider a collapsible cane. They are strong, light-weight aluminum, come in great colors and designs, reasonably prices in the $20-$25 range. Can be used for any purpose - walking, of course; supporting yourself when nature calls; as a fashion statement. If you recall, this past year, when my leg gave out right before my trip... got one of these in neon blue and really appreciated it walking thru the airports, up hills at some of the places we visited. Doesn't take up much room when closed; fits into a side pocket of your luggage, even a jacket pocket. Can be found at a regular pharmacy, or a medical supplies store. Won't leave home (for long distance trip) without it now.
Consider a collapsible cane. They are strong, light-weight aluminum, come in great colors and designs, reasonably prices in the $20-$25 range. Can be used for any purpose - walking, of course; supporting yourself when nature calls; as a fashion statement. If you recall, this past year, when my leg gave out right before my trip... got one of these in neon blue and really appreciated it walking thru the airports, up hills at some of the places we visited. Doesn't take up much room when closed; fits into a side pocket of your luggage, even a jacket pocket. Can be found at a regular pharmacy, or a medical supplies store. Won't leave home (for long distance trip) without it now.
Jan 10th, 2007, 10:50 PM
#58
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Oh my god...you all have me laughing like crazy. But I am also really worried now. I too have trouble squatting, then balancing in a squat and then getting up. And somewhere in my life I missed Outdoor Potty 101.
Seems like the few time I tried, I always managed to get my clothes or shoes wet.
I can't believe that at 59 yrs old, after having traveled fairly extensively (obviouslynot to pottiless areas) and I now have to ask these question.
1. What do you do with your pants/shorts and underwear? Do you pull them all the way down to your ankles, then try to squat with your tush jutting out as far back as possible. Or is the proper postioning at the knees? Or do you leave them on and pull them off to one side (obviously this is for peeing not the other). I can see where having an extra set of hands would help.
2. I can see where the funnel would work to help aim the stream away from clothes. But if you have a real funnel...what do you do with it next. Just bring it back into the car? Do you offer it to others in need?
And again...how do you hold your clothes away, hold the funnel and hold onto the nearest bumper or tree for balance. Again the need for at least 3 hands.
3. Do you just leave your wipe and Mellita funnel on the road when you are done or is there a proper burial technique?
4. How do you keep your husband for laughing out loud while your are trying to balance, squat & keep clothes dry (I honestly need help with knowing the proper positioning of clothes). Once he starts laughing, then i will start laughing and if I lose my balance, falling backward would not be fun.
I just know that the first time I attempt this, another vehicle will pull up behind us.
Thank goodness my trip is late next Oct. I am definetly going to have to start going to the gym and doing lots of leg strengthening and muscle stretching in my thighs.
I had never even thought of any of this and now I will have many sleepless nights over it. I have always been the type to try to pee as quietly as possible so no one will notice.
Oh...another thought...at my age, squatting can also result in impolite noise eruptions. Bad enough around strangers...but we will have new-ish friends traveling with us. It doesn't help that they are in same prediciment....because it is all about ME!!!
Seems like the few time I tried, I always managed to get my clothes or shoes wet.
I can't believe that at 59 yrs old, after having traveled fairly extensively (obviouslynot to pottiless areas) and I now have to ask these question.
1. What do you do with your pants/shorts and underwear? Do you pull them all the way down to your ankles, then try to squat with your tush jutting out as far back as possible. Or is the proper postioning at the knees? Or do you leave them on and pull them off to one side (obviously this is for peeing not the other). I can see where having an extra set of hands would help.
2. I can see where the funnel would work to help aim the stream away from clothes. But if you have a real funnel...what do you do with it next. Just bring it back into the car? Do you offer it to others in need?
And again...how do you hold your clothes away, hold the funnel and hold onto the nearest bumper or tree for balance. Again the need for at least 3 hands.
3. Do you just leave your wipe and Mellita funnel on the road when you are done or is there a proper burial technique?
4. How do you keep your husband for laughing out loud while your are trying to balance, squat & keep clothes dry (I honestly need help with knowing the proper positioning of clothes). Once he starts laughing, then i will start laughing and if I lose my balance, falling backward would not be fun.
I just know that the first time I attempt this, another vehicle will pull up behind us.
Thank goodness my trip is late next Oct. I am definetly going to have to start going to the gym and doing lots of leg strengthening and muscle stretching in my thighs.
I had never even thought of any of this and now I will have many sleepless nights over it. I have always been the type to try to pee as quietly as possible so no one will notice.
Oh...another thought...at my age, squatting can also result in impolite noise eruptions. Bad enough around strangers...but we will have new-ish friends traveling with us. It doesn't help that they are in same prediciment....because it is all about ME!!!
Jan 10th, 2007, 11:47 PM
#59
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hi julienk
i am laughing so hard the tears are rolling down my face....i posted the "squat" question and you just made it all so easy to visualize....( not a pretty sight) ....I actually spoke about this to the travel agency that arranged my upcoming trip. They told me that the guides and drivers are all aware of these 'needs" and do their best to make frequent stops. I am 64 years old and believe me, it doesn't get easier. i actually tried to practice with the Melita filter ( I now have a package of 100 that I can send you some) I need more practice and i leave in 47 days!! I too, would like some advice on technique.
i am laughing so hard the tears are rolling down my face....i posted the "squat" question and you just made it all so easy to visualize....( not a pretty sight) ....I actually spoke about this to the travel agency that arranged my upcoming trip. They told me that the guides and drivers are all aware of these 'needs" and do their best to make frequent stops. I am 64 years old and believe me, it doesn't get easier. i actually tried to practice with the Melita filter ( I now have a package of 100 that I can send you some) I need more practice and i leave in 47 days!! I too, would like some advice on technique.
Jan 10th, 2007, 11:56 PM
#60
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Sandi, that's the kind of cane I already use - I initially purchased it for the Galapagos trip as I knew there would be some islands that were harder going with rocky and uneven ground and my hips were sometimes quite painful. These days I use it quite often in normal everyday life. I really need to lose a lot of weight which would improve the arthritis pains many-fold.
