I almost forgot to mention the number one thing it takes getting use to here in China, as side from the anarchy that is driving; the bathrooms.

They come with with a varied features, but usually they all have only one smell. The features range from little more than a missing wooden plank over a hole or drainage ditch (which inevitability leads to a creek, river or stream) to more modern and Western style facilities (which inevitability leads to a creek, river or stream). Some have paper, most don't, so bring your own or you will suffer mightily. Many have piles of used paper and other items like tampons, trash as well as things that fall into your guess is as good as mine, piled in a corner or around a trash bucket.

Most of the ones outdoors have the usual spiders with their webs, as well as other creatures, like mosquitoes, moths, lizards and local Chinese bugs mostly big, black, or small brown and neither very attractive as bugs nor at this time identifiable.

Indoor johns are usually little better. The condition of their pleasantness proportional to how nice the business or house is, i.e. either loads of money and close to Western standards or not. Some even have sitters and not squatters. The really nice ones even have soap and a hand drier, but not one have I found with hot water (which is for making soup or tea).

The one thing most of them have in common whether indoor or out, Chinese style or Western, is the stench. Sometimes it is light and dainty, like a hint of tarragon or a sprig or cilantro in some horrid and putrid dish. If this is the case it is due to air freshener of some kind and some workers or home makers elbow grease. Most times however, it is overpowering and punishing, like a blow to the head, The first couple of times I utilized a Chinese facility I was sucker punched by the stench and once or twice gagged, almost vomited and was almost brought to my knees.

Now I proceed with caution, the only suprises now are when someone leaves a gift lying around. And it is still a bit shocking to walk in and see someone squatting minding their own business. This is due to the fact that most hoppers are like high school, no doors. And God and everyone can see you. Let me tell you, as shocking as it is for me to see them, it is doubly shocking to them to see me minding my business.

Any more I try to save my important business for home or if I must someplace like McDonald's (which is Chinese style, but it has doors and is usually on the light and dainty side when it comes to any assault on the ole nose. Either one of these cuts down on olfactory overload and on running into too many suprising that comes with China living.