Squatty Potties

When we first visited Kenya in January 2010, we were amazed by the traditional Kenyan toilet.  I'm actually surprised that I've taken this long to write about the choo (rhymes with crow) or what many wazungu (white people) refer to as the "squatty potty."

What may seem as extremely unusual to our "western" eyes is very commonplace throughout Kenya and Africa.  Some Kenyan toilets are constructed in this manner with the capability to flush, but the toilet pictured above is more of a pit latrine that has to be pumped out on a periodic basis (like a septic tank).

A funny story about life in Kenya:  After arriving in Kenya, Tammy was perplexed that the western-style toilets at the local shopping center always had the toilet seat missing, and when she could find one with a toilet seat, they were usually filthy.  Finally, she saw a toilet seat with distinct footprints on both sides, and it dawned on her . . . . some Kenyans were standing on the western-style toilet seats and using them as a squatty potty.  Mystery solved!!!