temps' Guestbook
Comments
Date: 12th March 2010
Thanks Fam, your clarifications are noted and appreciated. The inspection of faecal matter - post-drop - really does nothing to change the outcomes of public health. Although, I can see how physicians (both professional and of the home variety) would have appreciated the option of a close-up poo view. But we've come a long way since the bodily humors dictated the diagnosis of illnesses! It's good to know that the facilities are being upgraded though. And as for the splash-back phenomenon? You guys flush your john's with A+ quality drinking water, so hygiene is hardly THAT big of an issue :) And as a Dutch source pointed out to me, "I hate having to worry that too much poo may just scrape against my danglies if i'm not careful" Vote 1 Water
From Blog: More musings on toilets
Thanks Fam, your clarifications are noted and appreciated. The inspection of faecal matter - post-drop - really does nothing to change the outcomes of public health. Although, I can see how physicians (both professional and of the home variety) would have appreciated the option of a close-up poo view. But we've come a long way since the bodily humors dictated the diagnosis of illnesses! It's good to know that the facilities are being upgraded though. And as for the splash-back phenomenon? You guys flush your john's with A+ quality drinking water, so hygiene is hardly THAT big of an issue :) And as a Dutch source pointed out to me, "I hate having to worry that too much poo may just scrape against my danglies if i'm not careful" Vote 1 Water
From Blog: More musings on toilets
Date: 12th March 2010
An explanation
Since I am usually the one partial to your obsessions with food, the digestive track and excrement, I feel like I should clarify something. I feel like you are paying the Dutch short in your ignorance of our peculiar toilets. This is toilets 201, for intermediates. Like almost everything created by the Dutch, the plateau toilet served a practical purpose. A few hundred years ago it was invented for health purposes; by depositing feces on the plateau, the physicians, but also the people themselves, were able to inspect their state of health without having to handle the feces physically. They could be monitored for consistency, colour, blood, and parasites in a hygienic manner. This way, the plateau toilet meant a leap forward in public health. Many foreigners are shocked when they are confronted with their own excrement and admittedly, the plateau toilet is fairly outdated nowadays. Now they are slowly being replaced by the modern variety, which makes icy cold water splash all over your bum every time you drop something in there. In my eyes, not really hygienic when you have the runs, nor comfortable when you're shitting bricks. But yes, it does reduce the smell somewhat (although in my experience smell intensity entirely depends on the one using the toilet). So there's some toilet history, I hope you can appreciate the plateau toilet more now you know this. ps. for skidmarks, we use toilet brushes. They work. You should try one sometimes.
From Blog: More musings on toilets
An explanation
Since I am usually the one partial to your obsessions with food, the digestive track and excrement, I feel like I should clarify something. I feel like you are paying the Dutch short in your ignorance of our peculiar toilets. This is toilets 201, for intermediates. Like almost everything created by the Dutch, the plateau toilet served a practical purpose. A few hundred years ago it was invented for health purposes; by depositing feces on the plateau, the physicians, but also the people themselves, were able to inspect their state of health without having to handle the feces physically. They could be monitored for consistency, colour, blood, and parasites in a hygienic manner. This way, the plateau toilet meant a leap forward in public health. Many foreigners are shocked when they are confronted with their own excrement and admittedly, the plateau toilet is fairly outdated nowadays. Now they are slowly being replaced by the modern variety, which makes icy cold water splash all over your bum every time you drop something in there. In my eyes, not really hygienic when you have the runs, nor comfortable when you're shitting bricks. But yes, it does reduce the smell somewhat (although in my experience smell intensity entirely depends on the one using the toilet). So there's some toilet history, I hope you can appreciate the plateau toilet more now you know this. ps. for skidmarks, we use toilet brushes. They work. You should try one sometimes.
From Blog: More musings on toilets
Date: 4th March 2010
re. Eric
Thanks Eric, your kind words are very much appreciated. Queen's Night/Day are definitely on my radar. While I'm not sure exactly where we'll be celebrating, I think either Amsterdam or Den Haag... Plenty of parties to choose from :) Good luck with your travels. Drop me a line in July, maybe we can share a beer then. Prost
From Blog: Religious holidays + time + alcohol = fun
re. Eric
Thanks Eric, your kind words are very much appreciated. Queen's Night/Day are definitely on my radar. While I'm not sure exactly where we'll be celebrating, I think either Amsterdam or Den Haag... Plenty of parties to choose from :) Good luck with your travels. Drop me a line in July, maybe we can share a beer then. Prost
From Blog: Religious holidays + time + alcohol = fun
Date: 3rd March 2010
Looks like a hell of a party
Chris, I must say that i thoroughly enjoy your blogs. I've been to Europe plenty of times with some interesting characters but none that can verbally describe the mayhem as well as you!! We'll be back in Holland in July for a long weekend and then off to Prague, Budapest, Milan, Venice and a few other places. I'm not sure how long you will be traveling in Europe but maybe we'll bump into each other in a pub somewhere. Also, If you happen to be in Holland on April 29/30 you are in for a good time. Here is a description from a friend of mine who lives in Amsterdam.... "Amsterdam on April 30!!!! That's our Queen's Day and the whole country is one big party!!! On April 29 in the evening we have Queens night where everybody goes Downtown to drink outside on the streets and to watch all the bands that play live performence's on stages throughout town. And than on Queen's Day itself people are allowed to sell all their old junk on the streets, so the entire country is one big yard sale. People mark the best spots in town with tape and 'reserved' for days before already and people are sleeping 'on their spot' the night before, because you can officially start selling your stuff at 5 or 6 in the morning. And if you don't have anything to sell, you just take your hangover from the night before, stroll around town, listen to the life performences again and drink some more." It seemed to me that this might be something of interest to you... Keep posting blogs. I look forward to reading more of them. PROST!!
From Blog: Religious holidays + time + alcohol = fun
Looks like a hell of a party
Chris, I must say that i thoroughly enjoy your blogs. I've been to Europe plenty of times with some interesting characters but none that can verbally describe the mayhem as well as you!! We'll be back in Holland in July for a long weekend and then off to Prague, Budapest, Milan, Venice and a few other places. I'm not sure how long you will be traveling in Europe but maybe we'll bump into each other in a pub somewhere. Also, If you happen to be in Holland on April 29/30 you are in for a good time. Here is a description from a friend of mine who lives in Amsterdam.... "Amsterdam on April 30!!!! That's our Queen's Day and the whole country is one big party!!! On April 29 in the evening we have Queens night where everybody goes Downtown to drink outside on the streets and to watch all the bands that play live performence's on stages throughout town. And than on Queen's Day itself people are allowed to sell all their old junk on the streets, so the entire country is one big yard sale. People mark the best spots in town with tape and 'reserved' for days before already and people are sleeping 'on their spot' the night before, because you can officially start selling your stuff at 5 or 6 in the morning. And if you don't have anything to sell, you just take your hangover from the night before, stroll around town, listen to the life performences again and drink some more." It seemed to me that this might be something of interest to you... Keep posting blogs. I look forward to reading more of them. PROST!!
From Blog: Religious holidays + time + alcohol = fun
Date: 14th October 2009
more delicacies
been laughing all day reading your blog...by the way the next time you come to the Philippines try the goat testicles looool.
From Blog: The Philippines - vegetarians and kosher Jews need not apply...
more delicacies
been laughing all day reading your blog...by the way the next time you come to the Philippines try the goat testicles looool.
From Blog: The Philippines - vegetarians and kosher Jews need not apply...
Date: 14th June 2009
Sweden
Not this time Hanna:( I'm short on time and money, and thanks to your excellent social support system I don't think I can afford to exist in Sweden!
From Blog: Fear and Loathing of London (Stanstead)
Sweden
Not this time Hanna:( I'm short on time and money, and thanks to your excellent social support system I don't think I can afford to exist in Sweden!
From Blog: Fear and Loathing of London (Stanstead)
Date: 14th June 2009
Sweden?
hi mr T, how are u?what are your traveling plans? Sweden? if u are... give me a call +4676448622 och email me... /H
From Blog: Fear and Loathing of London (Stanstead)
Sweden?
hi mr T, how are u?what are your traveling plans? Sweden? if u are... give me a call +4676448622 och email me... /H
From Blog: Fear and Loathing of London (Stanstead)
Date: 27th May 2009
we had good times too...
For all the complaints listed above and in the previous blog, we did have a great time! If you like adventure, then Palawan is one of the most beautiful places on this planet.
From Blog: How not to design a toilet for tropical use; a critique
we had good times too...
For all the complaints listed above and in the previous blog, we did have a great time! If you like adventure, then Palawan is one of the most beautiful places on this planet.
From Blog: How not to design a toilet for tropical use; a critique
Date: 25th May 2009
The real thing
that place truly is! And I feel for you about those toilet seats! HA!
From Blog: How not to design a toilet for tropical use; a critique
The real thing
that place truly is! And I feel for you about those toilet seats! HA!
From Blog: How not to design a toilet for tropical use; a critique
Date: 8th May 2009
if you really love veggies
I've had the best veggie dishes in Baguio ~ cheap and very fresh! So if you ever find yourself there, you should try their vegetables ... and maybe you can check out the Sagada rice terraces as well (which i think is 6 hours away from baguio) ... Happy travelling!
From Blog: The Philippines - vegetarians and kosher Jews need not apply...
if you really love veggies
I've had the best veggie dishes in Baguio ~ cheap and very fresh! So if you ever find yourself there, you should try their vegetables ... and maybe you can check out the Sagada rice terraces as well (which i think is 6 hours away from baguio) ... Happy travelling!
From Blog: The Philippines - vegetarians and kosher Jews need not apply...
Date: 7th May 2009
San Miguel and Red Horse
Liquid gold, I tell you! They're liquid gold! Funny blog, mate! Next time, don't stay in the tourist district, which also happens to be the red-light district.
From Blog: The Philippines - vegetarians and kosher Jews need not apply...
San Miguel and Red Horse
Liquid gold, I tell you! They're liquid gold! Funny blog, mate! Next time, don't stay in the tourist district, which also happens to be the red-light district.
From Blog: The Philippines - vegetarians and kosher Jews need not apply...
Date: 29th March 2009
Lonely Planet
Temps, good to hear your having a good time trecking around Asia my friend. I heard Lonely Planet are looking for more travel writers at this time of year. With your wit and enthusiam I'm sure you'd be a good candidate. Much love.
From Blog: Yogyakarta - scams, snakes and adventurous eating
Lonely Planet
Temps, good to hear your having a good time trecking around Asia my friend. I heard Lonely Planet are looking for more travel writers at this time of year. With your wit and enthusiam I'm sure you'd be a good candidate. Much love.
From Blog: Yogyakarta - scams, snakes and adventurous eating
Date: 25th March 2009
What a pop
Mr Templin, Terrific work with the blog bud. Far outreaches and is incredibly more interesting than the blog we had to maintain for 3 years for Media @ RMIT. Will read on with interest. Speak soon.
From Blog: Popping my cherry
What a pop
Mr Templin, Terrific work with the blog bud. Far outreaches and is incredibly more interesting than the blog we had to maintain for 3 years for Media @ RMIT. Will read on with interest. Speak soon.
From Blog: Popping my cherry
Date: 25th March 2009
explended!
Hoi! Im glad to have the possibility to join you on your journey, to read about your adventures and see some pictures from whatever you see. :) Remember that if you are going for a 1-day in Angkor, make sure to be there when they open the gates in the morning, because the sunrice there is... undescribly beautiful. Best of luck on your adventures! your nondancing-to-britney swedish mate from Perhentian -Emil
From Blog: Popping my cherry
explended!
Hoi! Im glad to have the possibility to join you on your journey, to read about your adventures and see some pictures from whatever you see. :) Remember that if you are going for a 1-day in Angkor, make sure to be there when they open the gates in the morning, because the sunrice there is... undescribly beautiful. Best of luck on your adventures! your nondancing-to-britney swedish mate from Perhentian -Emil
From Blog: Popping my cherry
temps
Chris Templin
Some additions from Dad
The old man read this blog and decided to send me some brief personal bests. His toilet stories clearly top mine! "Hanging off the back of a inter island freighter through Indo in '74. Having to use the curtain in a Afghan situation in Kabul. Rice feild in Sri Lanka with locals trying to practice English whilst I shat worms everywhere. An Indian squatter in the south with so much "stuff" around the door way that you could not enter - meaning that you just added to the piles outside. Nepal - Kathmandu having to use the gutter but that was OK becos there was always someone there with a straw broom to scrape it up. The trains of the Sub Continent??? I better stop."
From Blog: More musings on toilets