My Favorite Things About South America: The Poo Bin

I would like to welcome you all to a new section I have developed for this blog, dedicated to exploring some of my favorite aspects of South American culture. As to provide you with more of an in-depth look at life in this great continent, apart from my weekly highlights, I leave you with the first of many parts in this new installment: The Poo Bin.

With an inefficient plumbing system plaguing the majority of South America, this great continent was forced to adapt, as its ever-thin pipes were unable to handle the onslaught of pipe-clogging toilet paper. While other nations had reverted to their own techniques (i.e. SE Asia and it's kitchen sprayer hose for your ass -- surprisingly efficient), South America took it upon itself to revolutionize the world of "unflushable TP." And thus arose the Poo Bin. 

For those of you unfamiliar with the Poo Bin, it is just as it seems. A trash-can/bin of used
"hygienic paper," conveniently placed within reach of the toilet. Now, while this simple object seems more-or-less, simple to use, I must warn you, it has it´s complexities. As a person who has been forced to utilize the baño on several occasions thanks to less-than-appetizing meals, I provide you with some dilemmas:

• The Full Poo Bin - With a towering pile of TP overflowing from the bin, one must gauge their ability to perfectly balance the TP on top (envision a reverse game of Jenga), or risk attempting to push down on the already-existing pile before them without brushing up upon any already-discarded TP. Post-hand-washing requirements = Intense scrubbing repeated by intense scrubbing.
• The Poo Bin w/Lid - Invented as to help contain the ¨aroma¨ of a full Poo Bin, the Poo Bin w/Lid comes with it´s own intricacies. How does one manage to open this lid manually, without infecting themselves or accidentally ¨smearing¨ the top? It is a fine dance in which one must partake, requiring almost surgeon-esque hands to succeed. Post-hand-washing requirements = Intense scrubbing prior to pant-raising, as who knows what has brushed the lid before you.
• The Empty Poo Bin - Not only does this welcoming-sight provide relief, it also is joined by a fresh-smelling bathroom -- a welcome change from the ¨hot boxes¨ that exist throughout this continent. Post-hand-washing requirements = Normal practices suffice.

In summary, until South America can redesign their plumbing infrastructure with "load-carrying" pipes, the Poo Bin market will continue to flourish, providing bathroom-goers with endless hours of nerve-wracking dilemma.

Next Week's Topic: The Bus Hawker

Onto the pics: