Unicentro Mall >> Nice but ...

Charlie640 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-19-2007, 12:17 AM

I was shocked today when I went into the bathroom their and discovered NONE of the stalls have TOILET SEATS! ..... why on earth don't they have toilet seats ??

I wish I had the vocabulary to ask someone their. Sanitary reasons.... they don't want your rear end to touch anyone elses.

Its like going to the basthroon Chinese style .... a la a hole in the ground.

Has it always been like this? I'm going to have to check out the bathrooms in Andino and Santa Barbara tommorrow.

mrcave · #2 (**permalink**) 01-19-2007, 03:15 AM

No toilet seats is bad news to a wheelchair riding caveman that can't stand up.

I'm planning on visiting LAI in April or May. I've talked to Nelson, and we're working on logistics. I'll write a post about my plans, questions, and such soon, and I don't want to hijack this thread, but for now . . . . .

Charlie

As you are there, on the ground in Bogota, and you have a self-professed eye for detail (elevator door close buttons, etc

), I wonder if in your daily travels you might try to be aware of wheelchair accessibility. Things like steps into restaurants, narrow aisles, ramps, elevators, awkward doors, ramps, anything. Just try to picture yourself on wheels as you do your thing.

Any little bit of knowledge could possibly be a big help, so thanks in advance.

Charlie640 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-19-2007, 07:25 AM

I am very happy tp hear you are seriously thinking about taking the plunge !
Thats GREAT!!

You will have alot of fun for sure. Just remmber you must be VERY objective and not to give your heart away to the first girl that shows outward signs she is into you. You must be strong and remember that unlike the USA . YOU are in the drivers seat. You can afford to be picky ! Lock your heart in box for a few days until you get aclaimated to the "alternate reality" that is COL. I also think you should be less than honest and tell the gals that it is your intention to MOVE to COL. permaneantly.. this will weed out many of the vultures who want to use you for a VISA. You should start a new thread about your trip when you have committed to it. I have alot more to say..but will save it for your future thread.

Well I can tell you that in Unicentro mall that the toilet stall that I did eventually use.. the last one... WAS one of the larger handicapped accessable types..

size wise... BUT I don't remember seeing any Horizontal bars on the walls. I will have to check into that today. But YES... it will be MY PLEASURE to keep an eye out for issues concerning accessabillty to the malls and sidewalk cuts etc.

Sailover · #4 (**permalink**) 01-19-2007, 07:36 AM

Toilet seats are a luxury. Many even middle class homes don't have them. I guess you either suck it up and sit, or hover like a woman. (is it any wonder they are often so tight assed?). If that bothers you too much, for the love of God, don't go to a butcher shop and see the meat you will eat later. I have only been sick once down here, and that was because I ate chicken that had been in the fridge for too long. A great way to lose weight, and I was very happy to have had a toilet seat.

Sailover · #5 (**permalink**) 01-19-2007, 07:39 AM

Handicap accessible? The best hotels might have ramps, but you won't find much in the way of anything to help you out. If it looks like a bus is kneeling, it means the front suspension is about to snap off. I certainly have seen people getting around on two wheels, but they look brave. One good thing, a stranger will often offer to help.

KPunch2 · #6 (**permalink**) 01-19-2007, 10:46 AM

This a reality check for those interested in going ex-pat. There are no government regulations for the disabled/handicapped in Colombia. Yeah, maybe some upper strata businesses might have toilet seats, but you would have to count your blessings if you venture to El Centro.

There is no Colombian FDA equivalent either.That can explain why alot people get sick from eating the food. The only two places that I can think of that probably prep poultry and meats well is Carrefour and Exito.

Lets not get into the discussion regarding moving violations in Colombia...there wouldnt be enough tickets issued for those infractions. Law enforcement here in the states would go ape-**** there!

Sailover · #7 (**permalink**) 01-19-2007, 11:31 AM

The reality is that if you are going to be upset by sanitary conditions that aren't up to your standards, or totally loco traffic and a nearly complete absence of followed rules, OR by the way things happen (or DON'T happen) here, you better just stay in Des Moines where everything works.

Tim413 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-19-2007, 12:54 PM

Sailover

I understand what you are saying about the butcher shop. I was shocked when my wife would not eat meat that was a little pink. She will only eat meat well done.

Tim

Charlie640 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-19-2007, 02:13 PM

We are talking about a high class mall here... not some place in the Australian outback. THere are holes in the toilet for the seat but no seats. THey even have the automatic flushers that sense when you leave the stall. Maybe people were stealing them ???

KPunch2 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-19-2007, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie640

We are talking about a high class mall here... not some place in the Australian outback. THere are holes in the toilet for the seat but no seats. THey even have the automatic flushers that sense when you leave the stall. Maybe people were stealing them ???

That could be a big possibility. I mean some people there would practically steal EVERYTHING they can get their hands on. Somehow I find it amusing that there must be a major black market in southern Bogota for toilet seat covers. Who knows? Maybe some of those squatters living on the edge of town need some for their bathrooms.